The picturesque golf course at the University of Maryland
by Alan Alsheimer, Jr. - AmateurGolf.com Player
Staff
Traveling through the greater DC area
and want to play an affordable, well-
conditioned, Golf World, Top 25 NCAA
collegiate course, look no further than this
gem located on campus at the
University of Maryland,
in College Park, MD, a mere 20 minutes from
Capitol Hill, DC.
An inaugural 1955 design by George W.
Cobb (Par 3 Course at Augusta), it was redone
by W.R Love in 2008 to host the Nationwide
Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open
in 2010 and 2011.
A 7000 yard par 71 layout (Black tees),
it carries a 137 slope and course rating of
73.7. The gold tees play to 6400 yards par 71
with a 130 slope and 70.1 rating. It can
challenge any level of player to work through
the bag and create shots across many
elevation changes and large, fast green
complexes that roll incredibly smooth for the
traffic of play the course receives. It is open
to the public with rates that start at $28
walking/$45 riding on weekdays, $40
walking/$59 riding on weekends.
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The
perched green of the par 4 6th hole at the
University of Maryland golf course.
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Given the present day cost of playing
top public facilities, of which there aren’t
many located within the greater DC area, the
UMD course provides challenge, presents
opportunity, and screams “play me” for the
value. It’s a classic, tree-lined layout with no
homes or infrastructure on the course. In
2003, the University of Maryland Golf Course
was named a “Certified Audubon Sanctuary”
by Audubon International. It boasts a 45
station driving range and a 5,000 square foot
putting green. Additionally, upstairs you will
find Mulligans Grill and Pub. A full service
“gastro-pub” with several tap beers including
Guinness, a full range menu and one hell of a
great burger.
The most famous golfer to ever play the
UMD course was Jack Nicklaus who alongside
former Terps All-American, US Amateur
Champion and PGA Tour Commissioner Deane
Beaman, played with Lee Elder and UMD
Captain Rick Bendall on October 16,, 1971.
Nicklaus had an unfortunate start to his day,
as he swung so hard on his opening tee shot
that he split his pants below the zipper. After
a 20-minute break to find him some new
trousers, he came back out and dominated
with a 3 under 68.