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Our first round of golf was at Lighthouse Sound Golf Course, which is a short drive across the bay from Ocean City. LHSGC is the only course in the United States that has consecutive holes that feature a double green (holes 3 and 4). Hole number five, which is a scenic par-three overlooking the OC skyline, plays a challenging 190 yards from the tips. I was able to hit my 7-wood to the back fringe and get up and down for par. Thank you very much!

The course also features the world’s longest cart bridge between holes 8 and 9. Measuring in at 1,500 feet, the bridge offers amazing views of the marsh areas surrounding the course.

LHSGC is really two different 9-hole tracts. The front nine is links style golf, with very few trees and majestic views of the bay while the back nine is more wooded and narrower fairways. Five sets of tees are available for players of all skill levels

On day two we teed it up at Eagles Landing Country Club. Despite wind gusts in excess of 40 miles an hour, the deep blue skies made our round much more enjoyable. One of our favorite holes was the 528 yard par-five 7th. The hole features water down the entire left side of the fairway. Two well placed shots will leave you with a short iron into an ample green that is protected front and back by marshland.

After the round, and a quick nap back at the hotel, we made the short drive to the Ocean City Casino. While small in comparison to our casinos back home in Connecticut (Foxwoods and Mohegan) we found the staff friendly and the facility well lit and clean. The casino is mainly slots but table games have been added recently for the gambling itch in you. They also offer a harness racing track in-season. We both left with our wallets a little lighter then when we walked in but both agreed that it was an enjoyable night out.

Check Out Ocean City, MD For Your Next Golf Vacation I and a buddy had the pleasure of visiting Ocean City, Maryland for the first time recently.

Heading back to Connecticut on Day Four, we booked a tee time at Baywood Greens Golf Club which is around 30 miles north of Ocean City. Locals call it “the Augusta of the North” and they are spot on. We were told by the staff that it takes 30 employees just to maintain the flower gardens on the property.

Every hole is unique and challenging. One particular hole that stands out is the 14th. It is a par-four that features an island fairway. I said that right, an island fairway. Try your skill (or luck) to shorten the hole or take the long way around, like I did, and play it as a long dogleg left. I bogeyed the hole, playing my second shot in from 176 yards, while my buddy played his tee shot to the island fairway and had a short wedge into the large green. He walked off smiling with an easy par.

If you have never been to the area, take a look at Ocean City Golf at www.oceancitygolf.com. They offer affordable stay and play packages at some of the Northeast’s most scenic and challenging courses. You will not be disappointed. By, Mark William Paul