By Bill Nestor
This week’s edition of “Tee It Up” took us to Mount Clare where Robert Trent Jones Sr sculpted this 18 hole beaut known as Bel Meadows Golf Club. There is a great deal of nostalgia surrounding this 189 hole tract that has hosted its fair share of important events over the years.
Bel Meadows ranges 7117 yards from the tips and with five sets of tees, there is a challenging round on these grounds for golfers of every skill level. There are several obstacles on this course that provide stroke grabbers. Fair, but punishing rough, large strategically placed bunkers that guard almost every green, and huge mature trees that line the fairways give golfers fits all round long.
The fairways are wider and easier to hit, but they are extremely fast, so a less-than-perfect shot will more than likely find the rough.
The greens are sizable so finding them isn’t such a daunting task. However, if you are looking to score approach shots, you need to be more aggressive because the greens are tiered, possess plenty of break, and are slick.
The front side offers a slight break with the par threes, which are slightly shorter. The back is slightly shorter overall, but water comes into play on a couple that will bring risk versus reward opportunities.
The 19th hole is a fan favorite here and they have a nice atmosphere to sit back and review your round. Bel Meadows Golf Club offers a great day of golf and the best part is that it’s just down the road.