ROCKY GAP LODGE & GOLF RESORT
Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
Year Opened: 1999
Location: Flinstone, Maryland
Slope: 142. Rating: 74.2
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,002
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 408 Yds 10 - Par 5 559 Yds
2 - Par 4 381 Yds 11 - Par 4 421 Yds
3 - Par 4 472 Yds 12 - Par 3 160 Yds
4 - Par 3 174 Yds 13 - Par 5 565 Yds
5 - Par 5 542 Yds 14 - Par 4 439 Yds
6 - Par 3 226 Yds 15 - Par 5 535 Yds
7 - Par 4 395 Yds 16 - Par 3 190 Yds
8 - Par 5 509 Yds 17 - Par 3 206 Yds
9 - Par 4 392 Yds 18 - Par 4 428 Yds
Par 36 3,499 Yds Par 36 3,503 Yds
Awards Won: Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest - Best Places to Play (2007),
America's Best Golf Courses by Zagat (2007-08).
Website: rockygapresort.com
HISTORY: Located just seven miles east of the city of Cumberland in Western Maryland, Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort is home to the only Jack Nicklaus signature course in the "Old Line State."
Part of Rocky Gap State Park, which encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land, the resort is situated around beautiful Lake Habeeb in the shadows of Evitt's Mountain.
Rocky Gap is part of Program Open Space, which was established in 1969 and is funded through The Department of Natural Resources. The program dedicates funds for Maryland's state and local parks and conservation areas.
The course itself was developed by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, an agency created in 1984 that allows the state of Maryland the ability to directly own or develop property for economic growth.
Nicklaus, who has designed over 300 courses world-wide, was given the task of creating a challenging, but playable layout in the Appalachian Mountains. He certainly accomplished his task. Rocky Gap is a course for all levels of play, and the resort, well, all you have to do is ask the hundreds of thousands of guests who've frequented the area the past decade.
"The Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort is a jewel of Western Maryland," commented Allegany County Commissioner Jim Stakem. Rocky Gap, which employs over 300 staff members in the high season, "was created to spur economic development in the region." In 2005, Rocky Gap hosted nearly 700 events and was recently voted one of America's Best Golf Courses by Zagat Survey.
REVIEW: One of the easier holes on the course, the first is a perfect starting hole, just 408 yards from the elevated tips to a very generous fairway. The key is avoiding the fairway bunkers on both sides of the landing area. Just a short iron should remain to a very receptive green. The putting surface is fairly flat, but beware of the bunker guarding the left side that sits well below the green. A good hole to get your feet wet.
Although the second hole is fairly short at 381 yards, it plays uphill and requires a 200-yard poke from the black tees to reach the fairway. Driver is the play off the tee, just avoid the bunker down the left and you'll leave yourself a wedge to a very undulating green. The putting surface is 33 paces
long and very similar in style to the first, except for the back-to-front slope. A back-left pin could spell doom if you short-side yourself.
Talk about a premium on accuracy, the tee shot on the third could be the most difficult on the course. Carved into the side of a mountain, this par four is the number one handicap hole on the course and rightfully so. Downhill from the tee, a steeped ridge blankets the left side, while the uneven, hilly landscape guards the right. The deep rough covers for the lack of fairway bunkers, so you must keep it in the short grass. A fairway metal or hybrid will remain to a slightly elevated and sloping green. Stay below the hole and play left of the bunker to the right, as it makes for a very difficult up and down.
The first of five sensational par threes, the fourth plays ever-so slightly downhill to a narrow green, that's just 17 steps wide. A mid to short iron should suffice to this tight, well-guard surface. A deep, massive bunker stands watch on the right and must be avoided at all costs. The hole is framed beautifully by the deep woods behind and to the right, but don't get caught up in the splendor, there's work to be done.
By far, the most spectacular hole at Rocky Gap, the fifth, is not only electrifying, it's also terrifying. This awesome par five plays downhill from tee to green. A pair of fairway bunkers lie in wait in the center of the enormously-wide landing area. Tall trees stand watch on both sides of the hole, as it narrows towards the green. It's worth the risk off the tee of trying to explode a drive over the traps down the right. This can set up a reasonable chance of getting home in two. Trouble looms down the left in the form of thick rough and your layup shot, if that's your choice, will be to a narrow sliver of fairway guarded on the right by sand. Another deep greenside trap guards the putting surface that swings around to the right. A front flag can be had, but a back-right pin brings plenty into the mix. Don't get greedy.
The longest of the par three's, the sixth is another beautiful and devilish hole. A whopping 226 yards from the back buttons, it plays downhill, so club selection could be tricky, especially with the outstanding views of the countryside. Pick the right stick and you could be putting for birdie. Miss long left or right and you'll be searching for balls. The green is very narrow with sand short and deep. A par here can go along way on the scorecard. I could have use it, instead of my six!
Another hole that puts a premium on accuracy is the short, dogleg right seventh. At 395 yards, a fairway metal or hybrid could be the play off the tee, as the slope of a mountain flanks the right and thick rough guards the left. This is where the fun begins, as the green is protected by a lateral
hazard that runs from left to right in front of the putting surface. A back-right pin really brings the trouble into play, as the green is just 12 paces wide. Don't be shy about bailing out left, it sure beats putting one in the drink.
At first look, the par-five eighth seems to be a pushover at just 509 yards off the black tees, but not so fast. This straightaway hole, plays uphill from tee to green, with thick trees down the right and dense underbrush left. So the key here is an accurate tee ball, setting up a fairway metal or iron to
layup for your approach. Going for the green in two can be risky, with trees down both sides of the fairway. The putting surface is sandwiched between mounds on either side. The green is long and two-tiered, but is very narrow with sand guarding the left-front. With a front pin, use the slope behind to spin the ball close for birdie.
Returning back towards the resort, the ninth is a slight dogleg left that again plays uphill from the tee. Guard against going left from the start, as trees protect against the aggressive play. Your tee ball should favor a slight draw with a driver or three-metal. This will leave a short iron to a very
receptive green, 23 yards wide. Two bunkers protect both sides of the green, however, any shot long and left will finish out of bounds, so choose the correct club from the fairway. Standing on the green offers a sensational view of the lodge and lake. Take care of the task at hand and then enjoy your surroundings.
The back nine opens with a downhill par five that reaches 559 yards from the tips. Navigating the fairway bunkers on either side of the landing area is key to set up your best chance of getting home in two, or for laying up. It's best to play short of the inlet of water that creeps in front of the isolated green, setting up a little pitch to a very shallow putting surface. To reach the green in two, you'll have to be long off the tee and longer with your second. Not the correct play, especially when the carry from the fairway reaches 250-plus. Make your birdie the old-fashioned way, wedge it close and sink the putt.
One of five par fours over 400 yards, the 11th, despite its number 16 rating on the scorecard, is not to be taken lightly. Devoid of fairway sand, the landing area is quite generous, but even with a successful tee shot, a medium iron will remain to an uphill, wide green that's guarded on the left by a deep bunker. A back-left flag could be quite the challenge, so play towards the center and get your par. There'll be other birdie chances later in the round.
One such possibility is the par-three 12th. The shortest on the course, this 160-yarder features a wide and shallow green. The two-tiered putting surface is guarded on both sides by sand and out-of-bounds deep, making club selection key. Stay below the hole and you'll have a great shot at a deuce.
With a beautiful, panoramic view of the area, the 13th plays downhill from tee to green. This lengthy par five, the longest on the course, features an ample fairway, with one lone bunker down the right side. The landing area tightens for your second shot, with a slope left and a water hazard right, within 100 yards of the green. The putting surface is just 25 yards deep, with sand deep and the pond covering the right. With a wedge in hand for your third, go for it and make birdie.
From an elevated tee, the 14th is a solid, dog-leg right par four that requires accuracy off the tee and pinpoint control with your approach. Two bunkers guard the right side of the fairway, while a somewhat, dried-out creek bed splits the landing area at the 280-yard mark off the back tee. A medium iron should remain to an elevated green guarded on the right by a very deep
bunker. The putting surface slopes from back to front and with a back-right pin, this could end up being one of the most difficult holes on the course. By the way, long and right is OB, so play smart.
The final par five on the course, the 15th is one of the most difficult driving holes at Rocky Gap. A tight landing area, with a thick, grassy hazard left and trees and massive rough right, make this one "Bear" of a hole. Even after hitting the short grass off the tee, the layup area for your second is even slimmer as you close towards the green. A split fairway, from 180 yards in gives the player an option, however the best angle to the green is on the right. The putting surface is 32 yards long, but just 19 paces wide with a bunker fronting the left portion of the green. As far as par fives go, a par here will look fine on the card.
The first of back-to-back par three's, the 16th is a downhill gem that requires the proper club selection, as the wind usually plays havoc. The putting surface is shallow and guarded in front by a deep, 20-yard wide bunker. A back-right pin brings the hazard into play, so execute sensibly or a big number could be in the mix.
Built into the side of a hill, the 17th offers a great view of the mountain range and when the fall colors are flourishing, this is one spectacular sight. A long iron or hybrid will be needed to reach the promised land and when the pin is back and left, add another 20 plus yards to your total. Two deep bunkers guard the left side of the putting surface, making for a difficult up-and-down. The play, a nice, high draw to the right, two putts for three and move on.
With the wind in your face and the fairway uphill from the tee, you'll need a 200-yard poke to reach the wide landing area. Sand protects both sides of the fairway, so an accurate and big blast is required. A mid to long iron is left to a slightly elevated green that's wider than deep. The putting surface features a bowl in the center that forces most shots to funnel towards the front. Offline or deep and you'll find one of the three surrounding bunkers.
FINAL WORD: Wow. Now that was a fun golf course. Let's start out with the playability of Rocky Gap. Five sets of tee boxes allow all levels of play to tackle this Jack Nicklaus beauty. Tees range from as little as 5,198 yards to just over 7,000 and that is really the key to playing this golf course.
Next up is conditioning and you'll be hard-pressed to find another public course in better shape than Rocky Gap. The tees are firm, the fairways well-manicured and the greens contoured and smooth.
This is typical Nicklaus. No let-up from the first tee to the final putt. What makes this course stand out is its variety of holes. From doglegs left and right, to short and long par three's and a mix of wonderful elevation changes. The front nine, except the first hole, is tree-lined and tight, while the back nine is more wide-open, but featuring several risk-reward holes. Let's not forget the several outstanding views of Lake Habeeb and Evitt's Mountain. I only wished that the course played alongside the water's edge, as it never touches the shoreline.
Rocky Gap is perfectly situated just two hours from Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and a little longer from Philadelphia. So, not only can you drive to the resort, you can play the same day!
There are many "signature" holes at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort, but my favorites are five, six and seven on the front nine and 13 through 17 on the closing stretch.
What makes Rocky Gap even more appealing is the beautiful lodge that stands tall overlooking the 243-acre lake. Not only does the resort feature 215 rooms and wonderful dining, there are miles of hiking trails, numerous boating and fishing activities and the luxurious spa.
What more could one ask for. A serene and peaceful setting, wonderful accommodations at a AAA Four-Diamond resort and a Jack Nicklaus championship golf course. With wonderful Stay-and-Play packages and amazing golf rates for non-guests, you'd be making a huge mistake bypassing this experience. If peace and quiet and serenity is what you seek, you've come to the right place.
Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort met all my needs and then some. I just hope they invite me back.