Spring Fun

It’s a Beautiful Day For Golf

Spring is upon us, it’s time to learn about the history of the top golf courses in the area.

With beautiful spring weather upon us it is important to get outside and stay active. Golfing is one of the most popular spring sports. Here in and around Bowie, we are lucky to have such amazing courses. Read on to learn more about their interesting histories.

The Country Club at Woodmoore 12320 Pleasant Prospect in Mitchellville 301-249-6100 CCWoodmore.com

The Country Club at Woodmore began its storied history in 1923 as Beaver Dam Golf and Country Club course on Landover Road. It was one of over 200 courses designed by Donald Ross, the noted golf architect. The course opened for play on August 16, 1923 as a par 72, 6,775-yard layout from the blue tees. In 1941 the club was bought and re-named Prince George’s Country Club.

“Old P.G.,” as it was known to many members and friends, was host to a number of championship events,

including the National Capital Open in 1947 and 1948. Lloyd Mangrum won this event in 1947, and Skip Alexander won it in 1948. The U.S. Women’s Open Championship, also hosted by Old P.G., and was won by Louise Suggs in 1949 when she defeated Babe Didrikson; both of whom are founding members of the LPGA.

In 1979, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission purchased the golf course and its facilities for use as a recreational area for the county. The club then moved to its current location at the corner of Enterprise and Woodmore Roads in Mitchellville, Maryland. The new course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, for the new Prince George’s Country Club opened for play in 1981, as a par 72, 7,059-yard course from the championship tees.

At its current location, it has hosted championship events such as the Maryland State Open in 1992, which was won by amateur and then Club member Del Ponchock in a playoff over Glen Barrett and the Club’s head golf professional at that time, Larry Ringer. Numerous other prestigious events have been played on the course, such as the Women’s Eastern Open, the U.S. Amateur Qualifier, the Maryland Women’s Amateur, and the Kemper Open Qualifier on a number of occasions. In February of 1993, the Club changed its name to “The Country Club at Woodmore” to align itself more with the growth of the community surrounding the course.

Bowie Golf Club 7420 Laurel Bowie Rd in Bowie (301) 262-8141 BowieGolf.com

called “Belair Golf & Country Club”. In 1974, United Investors Inc. purchased the course for a real estate investment. They made little improvements to the course itself, but did make changes, to the Historic House by adding two additions for a pro shop and a snack bar.

In July 1981 the City of Bowie was looking for an outside group to lease the Belair Golf & Country Club and make major improvements to the facility. After all the proposals were submitted and evaluated, the present corporation and management have been in place since October 1, 1981. The name was changed to Bowie Golf & Country Club in 1982.

Oak Creek Golf Club 600 Bowieville Manor Ln in Upper Marlboro 301.249.0809 GolfOakCreek.com

Nestled in the shadows of our Nation’s Capital, this Ault Clark masterpiece is the jewel of the Oak Creek community. Nearing 7,000 yards from the championship tees, our

the 1700’s this land was a 600-acre horse farm called “Peachtree Estates”. Over the next 100 years, into the 1800’s, family and relatives split up the land and sold the vast majority into farms.In the late 1800’s approximately 175-acres was owned by the Maenner Family who farmed the land. Many of their son’s and daughters were born in the masonry farmhouse built in 1727 and is listed on the Historic Roles within the State.

Around 1957, 134-acres was sold to Doug Smiley and his group of investors. They proceeded to develop a golf course on this land and in 1959 opened the course 18-hole championship course is now open and was designed to beckon the experienced and novice golfer alike.

Oak Creek, with its winding fairways, lined by age old oak trees boasts a luxurious pro shop and The Grove restaurant, which provides for all your golfing needs while offering the perfect venue for post-golf celebrating. Whether you want to host the family reunion or the annual fraternity golf outing, Oak Creek is the place everyone will want to be.