I did learn from my conversation with the Assistant Pro that the sand traps are all being redone and improved to to make this course even better, which means my guess from the prior post was correct.  Gee, it’s nice to be right once in a while!  I did notice a couple of them again in the preliminary stages of adding drainage and other improvements – but this time, I was smart enough to miss them which resulted in a lower score than last time.

I’m telling you, pick a day and get out to play Musket Ridge Golf course.  You’ll be glad you did!

Musket Ridge did NOT disappoint.  I had not played it in several  years and from what I recalled, it was pretty open and “player friendly”.  While the appearance of “openness” still exists, the rough is, well rough, and grown up a bit so you should not hit it there or be prepared to deal with it.  I did manage to “test the rough” a few too many times to score well but hey, that’s golf!

The course itself was in superb shape.  The greens rolled fast and true.  They held shots well and although quick, they weren’t terribly quick – if you know what I mean!  One need for improvement was a few (and certainly not all) of the sand traps seemed to be missing a lot of sand and were hard packed…maybe the recent rainstorms had something to do with it but we’ll chalk it up to ongoing repairs.  Besides, aren’t you supposed to miss the traps?  I managed to get into a couple  of those traps and didn’t play so well getting out of them…alas, live and learn!  One thing I noticed and recalled from the last time I played there were the absolutely beautiful views everywhere.  The blue sky with several puffy white clouds only added to the beauty of this track on this day!

A couple of holes that I remember being extra fun to play are #9, an uphill par 5 which is a three shot hole and requires accuracy on your 1st two shots in order to have an uphill short iron approach and the following #10, downhill shorter par 5 which is reachable in 2 if you play it smart and avoid the left side bunker city – which I didn’t!  Another is #17, an uphill par 3 that normally requires a long iron to a fairly large green and I recall was always a challenging hole for me.

We had a wonderful day of golf as the pace of play was pretty good for a Saturday.  No real holdups and we noticed lots of ladies out playing.  Perhaps they were practicing for the upcoming Symetra Tour in Maryland.  What is the Symetra Tour?  Well it’s the official developmental tour of the LPGA and enters its 32nd competitive season in 2012.

The inaugural “Challenge at Musket Ridge” tournament, part of the LPGA’s Symetra Tour, will take place August 20-26, 2012. This event marks the only current women’s professional golf tournament in Maryland.  See details about the event, ways to get involved and more on the Challenge at Musket Ridge site.

Between now and then, go out and give Musket Ridge a play.  Tell them Lefty from Waggle.com sent you!  Make sure you have a nice cold beverage in their very comfortable bar facility after your round.  I know we surely enjoyed our day there and I believe you will too!

Most of the golfers who come to the area stay in hotels right in Frederick, which is the second largest city in Maryland according to the most recent census. Within 10 minutes of those hotels are over 100 restaurants and bars, so there’s plenty to do after golf. And most of the golf courses are less than 15 minutes from the hotels. Let’s start at some courses that are just south of the city.

Worthington Manor Golf Club in Urbana is the original premium course in Frederick County. This Ault Clark design opened in 1998 and is a classic links style course. Since they opened, Worthington Manor has hosted more than 10 USGA events, including 6 US Open qualifiers. It’s a challenging track that is a favorite of the mid and lower handicaps. Known for it’s fast and undulating greens, Worthington Manor requires you to think your way around the course or pay the consequences.

Also just south of Frederick is Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville. Currently rated at #5 in Maryland by Golf Week Magazine, this Ernie Els and Michael Poellot design includes many environmental features like streams, wetlands, rock outcroppings, and stone walls, not to mention the spectacular views of the Catoctin Mountains. The 18th hole is one of the best finishers in the area with parts of an old stone farm house in the middle of the fairway!

Ijamsville boasts another top line course with PB Dye Golf Club. PB’s dad Pete is a bit more well know, but he’s designed many of the toughest courses in the country and this one is no exception, rated the 26th toughest course in America in a 2007 Golf Digest article. This course has all of the typical Dye trappings – railroad ties, pot bunkers, large & undulating greens, and a spectacular island green par 3 that can take your breath away (especially when the pins up front!) The sign as you drive in states “… be prepared to use every club in your bag!” It’s so true.

If you come in from the west of Frederick, Musket Ridge Golf Club in Myersville is just this side of the mountain. It was renowned architect Joe Lee’s last design before he died. He said it was the best piece of property that he ever worked on. The clubhouse sits atop the hill and the entire course plays down in the valley with holes separated by natural ridges that define the area. No view on the course is more scenic that the first tee box, looking downhill at the entire course with the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains in the backdrop. Truly a must play when you’re in the area.

Less than two miles down the road in Middletown stands Maryland National Golf Club. It opened in 2002 as the latest from upscale course architect Arthur Hills. Impeccably manicured fairways and greens are part of the charm. The par 3 third hole is uphill, the only one of 5 par 3’s that is not downhill with a great view. There is plenty of room to bang on all of the par 5’s here as well. The finishing holes on this masterpiece can leave even the best among us grumbling on our way to the car. You’ll want to play this one more than once.

Also in Middletown is Hollow Creek Golf Club, a Rick Jacobsen design that opened in 2002. Probably the best value around, Hollow Creek competes with its sister courses for just a bit less. Owner Steve Kline and Head Pro Toby Meacham seem to surprise us each year with some phenomenal upgrades. You’ll enjoy the many elevation changes and be challenged by the undulating greens. You can bang it on the par 5’s and maybe reach a couple. But put driver away on a number of par 4’s, especially on the back. And after your round, The Valley Grill Sports Bar will show every game you’ll ever need.

While the above courses will all challenge your game, Frederick County is also home to a number of other great courses that are classified as a bit more senior friendly. Clustered Spires Golf Course is owned by The City of Frederick and is surely the busiest course in the area. The 3 thousand plus trees that were planted over the past 3 or 4 years will define each hole a bit better in the near future. Glade Valley Golf Club is another local favorite that caters to seniors. The wide-open layout allows you to bang it, but a number of severely sloped greens make 3 putts a real possibility. And finally, if you make it north to Thurmont, Maple Run Golf Club is a no frills alternative. There are two distinct nines here. The front is relatively wide open, but with smaller greens. On the back, you’ll wind through the woods on some tighter holes, but the greens are a bit bigger with fewer undulations.

No matter what level of golfer you are, the perfect course is waiting for you in Frederick County Maryland. For more information go to www.golffrederickmd.com

Chris Moore is The Frederick Golf Guy. He has operated golffrederickmd.com since 2003 and is currently in his 8th year of booking trips into Frederick. In addition, he runs traveling golf leagues in the area and hosts “The Frederick Golf Guy” radio show, now in its 8th season on WFMD 930-AM in Frederick.

We arrived for a late morning start to a 65 degree sunny but windy (gusts to 30mph) day and wondered just how wet the course would be after 5+ inches of precip yesterday.  I’m very happy to report that (1) yes, the course was soggy in many areas but (2) it was very playable and if not for the very windy conditions, it would have been a super day for golf (actually just about ANY day is a super day for golf :-).

We teed off at 10am and were immediately treated to a “wind in your face” hole.  Let me ask you, when it’s windy out doesn’t it seem like just about every hole is into the wind?  Why is that?  Anyway, we played the white tees (at 5900) because of both the wet and windy conditions and it made the course more much more enjoyable.  While most of the sand traps were washed out from the rain, the workers were on the course repairing them and the remainder of the course was in excellent shape.

Musket has several scoring holes, particularly #10 and #11 on the back.  Both are short holes that make birdies a real possibility.  A short finishing hole will also perhaps add (subtract) to your score.

Musket Ridge is a one of my favorite Frederick Area courses and the eat-and-drink-all-you-want special is a pretty good deal too.  Lefty/82

Musket Ridge Golf Club has announce that the VIP Value Friday offer that began in September has been extended through October 2010.

Every Friday in September get treated like a VIP at Musket Ridge!

Musket Ridge Golf Club has launched VIP Value Fridays throughout September 2010. Golfers who play Musket for regular price on a Friday receive all the food and non-alcoholic beverages they’d like.

Head Golf Professional David Freiss explains, “Not only will customers get golf, cart and range – they can enjoy lunch or dinner here as well. It’s a perfect way to entertain clients or family members at one price with no uncertainty or hidden fees.”

VIP Value Fridays apply at the turn window, beverage cart, and the Lock, Stock & Barrel grill room. VIP Value Fridays are based on availability and exclude Twilight golf rates and carry out. Tax and gratuity are excluded. May not be combined with other specials.

Musket Ridge Golf Club – Myersville, MD – www.musketridge.com