The history of The St. Martins Course at Philadelphia Cricket Club

We tee’d it up, where they tee’d it up; we walked the fairways, where they walked the fairways; and we stroked our putts, where they stroked their putts. That is where the similarity ended. The we (our host Powell, Ed, Andy and me); the they (Alec Ross and Alex Smith) were the winners of the 1907 and 1910 U.S. Opens. The Philadelphia Cricket Club consists of three courses: Wissahickon (18), Militia (18) and St. Martins (9). Before we start our round, let me take you on a history tour of the St. Martins Course.  Read more →

College Hill Golf Course, Poughkeepsie, NY. My “caddie” unloading in background.

The parking lot was empty. This scene is becoming all too familiar. As Yogi would say, “it’s deja vu all over again”. We knocked on doors, peeked in windows, but nobody was home at College Hill Golf Course. It was late in the day (we arrived an hour before their scheduled closing time) but there was plenty of time to get in a quick 9. It’s decision time: play and pay later or come back tomorrow? Read more →

Vassar Golf Course, Poughkeepsie, NY. On the campus of Vassar College

Athletics have been my “meal ticket” for my entire life. There was no way my high school grades and SAT scores would have gotten me on the campus of Vassar College. Back in 1968, the admissions department would have politely turned me down to my face, but behind closed doors, they would have been having a good laugh. There was also a third strike against me back in those days. In the Fall of 1968, I would have been the only male (not a bad thing) on campus. The college did not become co-educational until 1969. Fifty (yes that’s 5-0) years later, I got the last laugh Read more →

Hole #9 – Par 5, 521 yards. Long finishing hole with plenty of tree trouble down both sides.

Local weather report at the start of my round: 36 degrees, cloudy, and cold. I really drove 1,000 miles from Colorado to play Cedardell Golf Club today? I’m the first (and only) golfer on the course to start the day. Am I crazy? This course better be worth it. Flash forward 1hr and 30 minutes to the end of my round. Weather report: 39 degrees, cold, cloudy, and now it’s windy. Still the only golfer on the course but as I finish, a brave foursome of members is heading out. Here is what happened during the three degrees of warmup during my round. Read more →

Hole #1 – Par 4, 310 yards. Nice opening hole with not a soul around.

Washington entertained me to Lincoln. I left the snow and cold of Colorado and arrived at the wind and cold of Nebraska. College Heights Country Club (CHCC) is located on the campus of Doane University. I was welcomed at this semi-private course with opened arms. Correction – no welcome at all! Read more →

Drops of water were falling from the sky – play or not to play? Karen says, “play”. No motor vehicles (including carts) were parked between the white lines in the parking lot – course open or not? Karen says, ” we will have the course to ourselves, let’s play”. Sign on the door of the building in the parking lot – closed for business.Karen says, “hmm”. Did all the negative vibes deter us from playing today? Read more →