Last year around this time I had a great opportunity to caddie for Hale Irwin when he christened the front nine at Lodestone Golf Club. I felt that I nailed it, but after the round Hale half jokingly told me I was the worst caddie he ever had in his career….Ouch!
Although I have spent 24 years building golf courses, I never really had time to grasp exactly what a caddie does other than carry the bag. It was news to me that each club actually had a specific place in the bag. Go figure. My take on it was the same as when I play and I just stuff the club wherever it fits. It was news to me that I was supposed to bring a wet and dry towel to keep the clubs and golf ball clean. I had to grasp the critical caddy duties that keep the golfer focused on his game. Thankfully for me, this was a practice round and I wasn’t responsible for taking any food off the Irwin family’s table!
This year I made sure I was on my “A” game so that if I was called to duty in the caddying department I wouldn’t be smacked around for my lack of skills! I got back in the gym, got into strong physical shape and studied PGA game films of caddies who worked for the best golfers in the world. Now I felt I was ready to assume the role as super caddy!
This year it was my responsibility to caddy for Steve Irwin, who is Hale’s son. I had a wet towel ready to wipe down clubs and golf balls, and returned clubs to their proper place with scientific precision. Steve actually used a few suggestions about putting lines and shot trajectories into greens. I think Hale even had a chuckle or two about my born-again effort to be a decent golf caddy.
I have hung up my golf course construction boots for good and have happily put on the real estate cap here in Deep Creek Lake, but there will always be this feeling deep down in my heart wondering if my calling all along was to be the best caddie ever on the PGA tour!
When word broke of the new Lodestone trial membership opportunity there have been a lot of questions regarding the timeline for the golf course opening. I just spoke to Karen Myers, general partner of Wisp Resort Development, Inc., and she has informed me that the front nine will start play tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st 2010 for Lodestone members and trial members.
Lodestone Golf Club play is also available for visitors to try out, for a greens fee of course. For more information you can contact the Membership & Club Director, Karen Forsythe, at 301.616.4035.
The back nine is scheduled to open tentatively in early June, and already has golfers chompin’ at the bit!!
Also, I have been informed that Hale Irwin will be here to christen the back nine July 9th & 10th. Members and trial members will be a part of a small entourage that will be allowed to walk with Hale as he plays for the 1st time a certain classic.
Sign up now and don’t miss your opportunity to play summer golf on this masterpiece, and have a chance to meet Hale Irwin. Feel free to call me, Bob Holcomb 240.321.5335, if you have any questions about the design, construction process of Lodestone Golf Club.
Lodestone Golf Club Trial Use Privilege. The elevated excitement about the grand opening of Lodestone Golf Course is going to a higher level with the introduction of the new Trial Use Privilege Program. This already legendary golf course, on top of Wisp Mountain, has people blown away by the natural aesthetic beauty of this thoroughbred golf paradise. The grassing scheme alone takes this rolling mountain course to the pinnacle…. Lodestone used the most modern bent grass hybrids on the tees, fairways, and greens, while framing it all in with fescue/bluegrass outer roughs. The combination of the upscale grass and the amazing design work that Hale Irwin and Design Workshop executed puts this track in a league of its own by a long shot.
This new trial membership is stunningly affordable considering what this masterpiece has to offer. Sign up now so you can have a chance to walk with Hale Irwin in the spring as he christens 18 fabulous holes. Deep Creek Lake is fortunate to have owners with such a well thought out vision of improving the quality of life and activities while continuing to stride towards excellence in everything they do for the people who live here. Click the picture above for details or call 310 616 4035 for more information.
A Lodestone by definition is a naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite. It was considered a very powerful amulet in the eyes of the ancient Greeks as far back as the 6th century. Deep Creek Lake’s newest jewel, The Lodestone Golf Course, is destined to possess that same commanding attraction upon its opening in the spring of 2010. This is a golf course that is beautifully laid out throughout Wisp Mountain capturing amazing views, rolling mountain topography, huge rock outcroppings, and two distinct personalities between the front nine and the back nine. There are many breathtaking views from the golf course and from some truly amazing homesites throughout the mountain. One of my favorite views is off the 13th fairway looking down on the lake and the Dam. It required blasting about 6000 cubic yards of pure rock to open up a view slot to this downhill par 5 to be able to see this gorgeous lake view. I’m very excited to have such an upscale golf facility to add to Deep Creek Lake’s list of fun things to enjoy. Bring your sticks on your next visit and join this Hale Irwin classic.