Golf

By Mary Jo Tarallo

Spring in the air whispers that soon golf season will be in full swing.

Whether you are a duffer or +7 handicap, now is the time to start getting ready. With men’s, women’s and mixed leagues that range from mostly social to mostly competitive, there’s no shortage of options!

Courses range from easy and very affordable Par 3s like Midway and Milton’s Shamrock Farms to the finely sculpted terrain at private membership clubs like Rehoboth’s King’s Creek and Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Another upscale but public course is Baywood Greens in Long Neck.

One of the largest leagues is associated with the Indian River Senior Center in Millsboro. Millsboro resident, Albert Herman who played in the league for approximately thirteen years, “assisted in setting up formats for play for those wanting to challenge themselves in a team competition”. Senior Center membership ($40 annually) is required to participate.

Nearly 800 players are registered over the five divisions with weekly turnouts averaging 75-100 players through seasons which run from mid-March through late November. The group, that includes men and women, utilizes approximately 24 courses in the Delaware-Maryland region.

More noteworthy options include two of Herman’s favorites, Rum Pointe and Eagles Landing. “Both are well maintained and offer a variety of tee box locations that make the courses fair for all levels of play,” he says. “The two courses are adjacent to Assateague Island lending themselves to some spectacular vistas and possibly a glimpse of a bald eagle or two”. There’s also Glen Riddle, a course that has a unique history of its own. The club house is built on what was the stable of the Glen Riddle Farm, home to racehorses Man O’ War, War Admiral and the incomparable Seabiscuit. Arguably, the biggest horse racing event in history was the matchup between Man O’ War’s son and grandson, War Admiral and Seabiscuit, held at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore on November 1,1938. Seabiscuit beat the reigning Triple Crown winner.

If you are just breaking into the game, you may be more comfortable at public courses American Classic Golf Course (9-hole course) between Rehoboth and Lewes or The Rookery in Milton. Both offer lessons for all ability levels and organize ladies and men’s leagues but on a smaller scale than Indian River.

For Becky Caprano, an avid golfer involved with the ladies’ program at The Rookery, “Golf is a game that challenges me every time to play & score better than the last time. You can’t beat it”, she says. The great outdoors, plus personal growth, social time, and exercise—a winning combination. Try it out and maybe you’ll catch the golf bug too!