Where to play between Pittsburgh, PA and Ocean City, MD

[Tim Gavrich]

A little west of Cumberland, MD on I-68 there's Rocky Gap, a Nicklaus course my father and I played a few years ago andquite enjoyed.

There are also a handful of respectable, mid-upscale public courses closer to Frederick, MD.  My father and I liked Maryland National, and have heard decent things about the likes of Whiskey Creek and PB Dye Golf Club.

Near Westminster, MD (a bit NW of Baltimore...might be a bit out of the way depending on how you go) there's Piney Branch CC.  I played it in a college tournament a couple years ago and recall it having some of the more interesting greens I've putted (both fast and undulating).  It's private, but not impossible to get on, I'd imagine.

Also, I played in a junior tournament at Toftrees Resort in State College, PA and enjoyed that golf course.

Cheers.

[Brett Waters]

On the route from Pittsburgh to Ocean City, you have a number of options that aren't that far off the beaten path.

The aforementioned Bedford Springs.

If access is not an issue:  Once you get down into Maryland, you could hit Congressional if driving through Washington or Baltimore CC if you're going through Baltimore.  Woodholme (H. Strong) is a major sleeper if headed through Baltimore and is much closer to I 70.  

Once you get on the Eastern Shore, Queenstown Harbor has 36 nice holes that is just off US 50, the main route to OC.  Hog Neck is also a very nice golf course right on US 50 that received a lot of ink in the past, but has totally fallen off the radar.  It was built by the widow of W. Alton "Pete" Jones, one of the founders of Augusta National.  Hunters Oak is also about a mile off of Route 50 and is a neo Scottish Ian Scott-Taylor design that's usually in outstanding condition.  

If you want to divert a short distance, you may want to try Chester River Y & CC, it's about 30 minutes out of the way.  The course is 9 holes 1929 Alex Findlay and 9 holes of 1978 Ed Ault that's actually pretty good.  The Findlay holes are pretty much untouched which makes it worth the effort to see.   From what I'm hearing, the course is in really good condition at the moment, which given the weather is a really good thing.  There's also a good back way to head to the beach from there, which will probably save you a lot of headaches.  

Once you get past Easton, I would tell you to continue to the beach.  I would have recommended Seaford G & CC if it were still open.  Art Hills built a course near Bridgetown, DE but I have not played and know no one who has. The two Nicklaus courses near Rehoboth are nice and Glen Riddle which is on the south side of Ocean City.  

That's Heritage Shores in Bridgeville. http://www.heritageshoresgolf.com/golf.asp I played it a couple years ago just after it opened. It was in fantastic shape at the time. Wasn't the greatest course, but it got the job done...I enjoyed it. Wish I still had my pictures from the course to show.

Seaford's gone?? I had no idea...

[Mark Provenzano]

On the route from Pittsburgh to Ocean City, you have a number of options that aren't that far off the beaten path.

The aforementioned Bedford Springs.

If access is not an issue:  Once you get down into Maryland, you could hit Congressional if driving through Washington or Baltimore CC if you're going through Baltimore.  Woodholme (H. Strong) is a major sleeper if headed through Baltimore and is much closer to I 70.  

Once you get on the Eastern Shore, Queenstown Harbor has 36 nice holes that is just off US 50, the main route to OC.  Hog Neck is also a very nice golf course right on US 50 that received a lot of ink in the past, but has totally fallen off the radar.  It was built by the widow of W. Alton "Pete" Jones, one of the founders of Augusta National.  Hunters Oak is also about a mile off of Route 50 and is a neo Scottish Ian Scott-Taylor design that's usually in outstanding condition.  

If you want to divert a short distance, you may want to try Chester River Y & CC, it's about 30 minutes out of the way.  The course is 9 holes 1929 Alex Findlay and 9 holes of 1978 Ed Ault that's actually pretty good.  The Findlay holes are pretty much untouched which makes it worth the effort to see.   From what I'm hearing, the course is in really good condition at the moment, which given the weather is a really good thing.  There's also a good back way to head to the beach from there, which will probably save you a lot of headaches.  

Once you get past Easton, I would tell you to continue to the beach.  I would have recommended Seaford G & CC if it were still open.  Art Hills built a course near Bridgetown, DE but I have not played and know no one who has. The two Nicklaus courses near Rehoboth are nice and Glen Riddle which is on the south side of Ocean City.  

That's Heritage Shores in Bridgeville. http://www.heritageshoresgolf.com/golf.asp I played it a couple years ago just after it opened. It was in fantastic shape at the time. Wasn't the greatest course, but it got the job done...I enjoyed it. Wish I still had my pictures from the course to show.

Seaford's gone?? I had no idea...

But will return: http://www.thesgcc.com/Seaford_Golf_and_Country_Club.html

[Dan Herrmann]

You know - there are a lot of courses in OC.  With our heat waves this year, heading to the coast for golf may be a wise move.

[Matt_Ward]

Ocean City golf to me is like the northern version of what you get with the Grand Strand.

[Tim Taylor]

I'll second Pilgrims Oak and Hershey links and throw in a vote for Dauphin Highlands in Harrisburg.

Tim

[Tommy Williamsen]

Check out Musket Ridge.  It is between Hagestown and Frederick MD.   It is only two miles off I70 and is great fun.  I think your Dad would enjoy it.  It has good terrain and is in pretty good condition for the summer we are having.

[Adam_Messix]

I am glad to hear that Seaford's closing is only temporary.  When DuPont stopped subsidizing the club, I thought there might be issues.  Seaford presented some interesting and fun golf holes for the flat nature of the property. 

The one course that I totally forgot about that is two minutes off of US 50 is the US Naval Academy Golf Club designed by William Flynn.  It's on a surprisingly hilly piece of property for that neck of the woods and is a strong test.  If you're not going on a weekend, access should not be an issue.