Fair points all around. Must just be spoiled with the public golf near me because most of them aren’t over around $30 walking during the week.
The $100 threw me for a loop on the pod but I’m also used to paying $15 to walk the muni up the road that’s an executive length. So my context could just be off.
For sure. Same here.
Two years ago, the company I was working for aquired another company in Baltimore, ten mintues away from Forest Park. My role required me to visit the new branch regularly. Didn’t travel with my sticks, but because of Strapped, I made a point to rent a set and play 9 holes after work. Truly a delightful experience. Exremely friendly staff. Fun, approachable walk.
@KVV, appreciate the storytelling. Takes me back to the munis that I learned on growing up. A favorite was buying “reconditioned” balls from the houseless man that lived in the nearby woods on a par three that had OB and hazards no more than 10 yards off the green on three sides. Great way to hone a tight 133 yd pitching wedge or else buy the same ball back for a few bucks next week.
In my previous job, I was lucky enough to be part of the team that reopened Belmont golf course in Richmond to the public. It had great bones - was a 1917 Tillinghast design that hosted the 1949 PGA Championship.
However, since moving from a private club (Hermitage CC) to a muni, it had fallen on hard times, leading the county to put out a RFP to manage it. Fortunately, our local First Tee chapter won the RFP, and we partnered with Love Golf Design to embark on a historic restoration and renovation of the property, bringing back the design of 12 of Tillinghast’s original holes.
And look, I’ll be the first to tell you that going from an 18-hole course (without any practice area) to a restored 12-hole course, 6-hole par 3 course (all Tillinghast templates), and 18-hole putting course wasn’t loved by everyone.
But, to see First Tee participants, Youth on Course members, and people of all ages enjoying the facility since it reopened in 2021 is awesome. And gradually, the people who initially couldn’t accept 12 holes as a concept really enjoy playing in under 3 hours.
All this is a long way of saying, if you’re in the Richmond area, stop on by for some of the most fun municipal golf you’ll find in the mid-Atlantic.
This is what I want someone to copy and do to Rackham here in Detroit.
12 hole courses slap. Every hole is a proper golf hole, it’s all walkable, and you’re done in 3 hours. And if all 12 are restored tillinghast designs??? What’s not to love?
Is it playing faster these days? I was in RVA right when it opened and the pace of play was tuff… might have just been fresh greens and bunkers though, I moved away in 2022
A common complaint of the guys I played with who hated it said the 12 holes took as long to play at the 18 (probably exaggerating - this was right as I was getting back into golf so I never played the 18 layout). The redesigned holes were truly awesome though (that downhill par 3 with the buried elephant green? sick), really loved playing it when I could get out and move quick, but my last round there was a >3 hour 12 on a Wednesday morning
I’ll admit, I haven’t played it since taking a new job earlier in the year, but pace of play was a definite emphasis after reopening in '21.
It took a while to explain/enforce the need for ready play, especially as new golfers came to the course, but the pace was relatively good (sub 3-hours) the last couple of years.