Maryland National Golf Club (Middletown, MD)

My annual autumn getaway took me to Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, an underrated but super cool place that steps back in time to the Civil War era. After scouring the area for golf, I chose Maryland National, an Arthur Hills design built in 2002. It’s generally rated as one of Maryland’s best courses, and is heavily advertised in regional publications including Golfstyles Magazine. 

Maryland National occupies a central valley with the Catoctin Mountains off in the distance. The spectacular long views are the defining feature and makes this one of Art Hills best sites. As an Ohioian, I am very familiar with Hills’ style.  (He’s from Toledo after all) I’ve seen his work in many places, and his best sites are usually his most disappointing because the architecture is no different than his work at the local muni. In fact, I would say his municipal courses excel because they bring a pedigree of architecture not seen at that level. At Maryland National, Art Hills broke out of that mold, and produced a very good test of golf. 

(Being the first one on the course has it’s advantages including this beautiful, unhindered view of the 585/527 yard par five second hole. A tight draw off the tee will gain some extra yards and bring the green into reach.) 

(The 209/158 yard par three sixth drops down to a green guarded in the front and left side by a creek. A grass area to the right offers a bailout but not an easy recovery. The putting surface extends in the rear almost beneath the limbs.) 

The par threes are the highlight of the routing. Three of the five connect the higher topography to the wetland filled valley floor. To avoid any thoughts of monotony, the par three twelth is the longest one and tees off from the highest part of the property. I’ve always been a huge fan of his short holes and look forward to them on every new course I play of his. Play these five holes in even par and you’re on your way to a good round. 

The par fives are a mixed bunch mainly because they punish those who are too aggressive and fail to hit the green. Conservative play usually results in easy pars. There’s little that challenges the layup shot and this reduces them to a pitching contest. The par five seventh is the exception as a flat upper fairway is the perfect spot to execute that pitch. 

(The 542/513 yard par five seventh features the abdominal sand pit that must be avoided off the tee. Notice how the green left is below the upper right fairway. The falloff left of the green sees many shots.) 

The par fours have a wide variety of distances and are solid. Three holes in particular stand out (9,10,16)  mainly because the property is cramped in those areas and Hills made them short par fours that don’t require driver. These drive and pitch holes focus on the ability to hit a short iron or wedge to a narrow or small green. The par four sixteenth occupies a narrow valley with a creek cutting it in half. Since it’s driveable and the carry to reach the fairway is only 150 yards, it’s hard to call foul. Even short hitters have fairway to hit to before the creek. For long hitters going for it, there is little room to miss. I played these three in two under but they can easily mess up your card with three double bogeys. 

(Would you try to drive this green?! The 336/268 yard par four plays twenty yards shorter on a direct line. The hillside can be used to kick the ball back into the fairway. It’s a bit controversial in my opinion but there’s no denying the late round theatrics found here.) 

(The 203/159 yard par three seventeenth is downhill to kidney shaped green guarded by a low area short. The elevated tee helps add height to your shot. Club selection is vital to get close.) 

I would put Maryland National in the same category as both Longaberger (now called Virtues) and Shepherd’s Hollow, Art Hills courses that are mentioned as best in their respective states. The property is so good that Hills really didn’t have to do much to make a memorable course. With Musket Ridge a couple miles away, golfers have a perfect combination for a 36 hole day. I give Maryland National a 6 (very good)(worth driving two hours to play). 

(The 435/396 yard par four eighteenth doglegs right with wetlands on the right and crossing short of the green. The elevated putting surface places a premium on hitting one final good iron shot. Avoid the right otherwise you’ll finish with a round killer double bogey.) 

[I played the white tees at 6,069 yards par 71. As you can see, it’s still quite a force with a 131 slope rating. Note the back nine. I hit eight greens in regulation! That’s the only way to consistently shoot low scores. Much of that can be contributed to the back nine being 500 yards shorter than the front! Three birdies and one under overall gave me a 74.]

(The 186/159 yard par three fourteenth is a beautiful downhill shot over scrubland to a green set in the trees.)

Washington Park (Newburg Heights, OH)

Washington Park was the last course to be built in Northeast Ohio. Brit Stenson designed it in 2006 for the FirstTee program. It’s location off I-77 in Newburgh Heights makes it a convenient stop for those driving downtown or coming home from work. A grass driving range, a practice putting green, and a superb short game facility greets those looking to get some work in. 

(30-50 yard pitches plus a sand trap makes this worth the $8 practice fee.)

Being the site of the FirstTee, one would think it would be player friendly yet every hole has a bunker guarding the green. Young kids learning to play the game, generally, have a nonexistent sand game. In my mind, it would’ve been better to have only a few. I learned to play the game at Little Met, and there’s not a single one to be found there. If the goal is to grow the game, then the difficulty of sand traps can be a deterrent. Of course the counterpoint is giving young players a full spectrum of golf shots. 

(The opening hole is a long par three but is realistically a par four for the kids. Note the shorter right bunker opens up the angle from that side. A lot of brush and middling trees.) 

(The short par three ninth has two bunkers guarding the front of the small green. Missing right or long with result in a penalty stroke.) 

I previously mentioned learning the game at Little Met. Mastick Woods is another executive course that caters to young people. Closer to home, the par three course at Shawnee Hills is a good place to learn the game. All three are run by the Metroparks. This tells me that Washington Park is more about being centrally located and easily accessible. It’s location also gives adult golfers a quick opportunity to get nine holes in. Of course, I would be inclined to say the practice range gets more use than anything. It’s only a couple miles from work, which is perfect for practicing before or after my shift. It is always full of golfers when I stop to practice. Mission accomplished! 

(Washington Park is surrounded by an older neighborhood.)