Review: Van Metre 9 at Stonebridge

This is a review I never thought I would write.

Back in my junior golf days, one of the local tours I played in had a tournament at Stonebridge Golf Club, located just outside Martinsburg, West Virginia. To be honest, it was not a golf course I looked forward to playing. Even back in those formative days, I could sniff out a bad golf course, and Stonebridge reeked of mediocrity. It was no surprise to me a few years later when, in 2011, Stonebridge was closed for good.

So much for that.

While many golf courses that get shut down are immediately built over, Stonebridge lay vacant and open. That meant anyone with enough money and moxie could restore the golf course, and in 2024, that's exactly what happened. To an extent, anyway. The Van Metre 9, as the name implies, is only half of the original golf course. The back nine, to be more specific. Which is mildly unfortunate, because it was by far the worse of Stonebridge's nines. But hey, any golf is better than no golf, and since I now live in nearby Hagerstown, I couldn't resist going down to West Virginia to see what the resurrected golf course looks like.

The first hole is a short par 5, playing just under 500 yards. It plays downhill, tumbling over the landscape with trees left and O.B. right. It's not the widest hole in the world, but it's not narrow either. There's enough space for the tee shot to still be fun. The second shot, if you're going for the green in two, will be a longish iron or fairway wood to a small green with a bunker left and jungle right. It's a solid opportunity to start the round off with a birdie or even eagle, and sadly, this is easily the best hole Stonebridge has to offer.

The first hole.

Approaching the first green.

The first green.

The second hole is just 290 yards, making this technically a drivable par 4. However, when you step onto the tee, you probably won't be thinking about hitting driver. A better question would be "Where's the fairway?" And it would be a valid question to ask, because there isn't one. Not really. There's about 15 yards of space between a line of pine trees left and water right, and that space is sharply tilted, sloping down toward the pond. Honestly, the picture I took from the tee doesn't fully sell just how little space there is, since the trees next to the pond don't have leaves on them. 

Honestly, you might as well go for the green, since it's not like there's any space if you lay up; if anything, the fairway widens a little close to the green. The green itself is a bit bigger than the previous hole, with a pair of grass bunkers in front. Not a terrible green complex, I suppose, but at this point the damage is done. This is like the sixth hole at Heritage Hills on steroids.

The second hole.

The second green.

The third hole is a short par 3, playing 145 yards (or even shorter, since the tees were up for my round) over a corner of the pond. The green is small and narrow, but also sloped fairly significantly from back to front. There's a former bunker left and of course the pond is right as well. I think the first hole is better, but this hole isn't too bad. Short par 3s are always appreciated.

The third hole.

The fourth hole is 340 yards, with a fairway that's initially quite wide but narrows significantly as a pond cuts in from the right. Obviously, you're quite safe favoring the left side, but that does leave you with a tougher second shot. The green is angled from right to left and there's a grass bunker right in front. Not an easy shot if you have less than a full wedge in your hand. Approach the green from the right side, close to the water, and you'll have a much better angle into the green.

The fourth hole.

Approaching the fourth green.

The fourth green.

The fifth hole is a massive par 5 that plays nearly 600 yards, though the tee-to-green distance is much shorter. This is one of those boomerang-shaped holes, and while those can certainly be exciting or interesting, Stonebridge spices things up by including absolutely nothing. So, the opposite of spice. Basically, you've got a wide open field and if you don't favor the left side, you're kind of doing it wrong. The second shot isn't any more interesting, you advance the ball to leave yourself the best distance on the third. The green is fairly small and protected by bunkers, but that's not enough to make this hole anything other than incredibly dull and needlessly long.

The fifth hole.

Approaching the fifth green.

The fifth green.

The sixth hole is a mid-length par 4 over dead-flat land, and the drive is completely wide open. No bunkers, no trees, just a hundred yards of grass. The second shot is slightly more interesting, as the green is quite small, slightly elevated, and flanked by bunkers. And yeah, that's about it for this hole.

The sixth hole.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is 350 yards, and also plays over flat land to a very wide fairway. However, there is a pond near the green, and it does poke out into the fairway about 260-380 yards out from the tee, so longer hitters may want to use a 3 wood or long iron. Also, there's a narrow ditch cutting across the fairway maybe 50 yards before the pond, and while it's only a couple yards wide, it is there. The second shot will be a wedge into a green with a grass bunker right and a bunker and water left.

The seventh green.

Approaching the seventh green.

The seventh green.

The eighth hole is a short drive-and-pitch par 4, playing 330 yards uphill. The fairway is a bit narrower than the previous holes, though really the only obstacle is that the trees are a bit closer in. The green here is a little more interesting; it's extremely small and has some decent slope to it, making it not the easiest target in the world. There's also bunkers protecting the green. Not a difficult hole, but you could definitely have issues getting close to the hole with the approach if you're careless with your drive.

The eighth hole.

The eighth green.

The ninth hole is a curious finishing hole, being a mid-length par 3 playing steeply uphill to a semiblind green. There were once bunkers around the green, but now it's just grass bunkers, and the green is medium sized and not particularly interesting. I don't have anything interesting to say about the hole itself, but I do have a little story: Back in one of those junior tournaments I played here, I hit an absolutely atrocious tee shot on this hole. A massive chunk that went a hundred yards. I had something like 60 yards to go for my second shot and I was staring double bogey in the face. Then the pitch went in the hole. It turned my round on its head, and I ended up doing quite well for the rest of the round. So, even though this hole is really kind of bland, I'll always have that fond memory of it.

The ninth hole.

The ninth green.

I guess I can't really be too disappointed with what the new Stonebridge gave me. The course was never that great, particularly the nine they brought back, and it's pretty clear that they're emphasizing saving money to keep the course going. All the grassed-over bunkers and slightly shrunken greens is proof of that. And that's honestly okay; Martinsburg was kind of lacking golf options, and Stonebridge gives people another option. It's better than the entire course sitting there overgrown and unused.

The prices are okay, $20 to walk nine on a weekend. It's a little pricy, but not outrageously so. Ultimately, I'll probably play here again, if only to add some variety, but this a course I would like to play regularly. It's just not that fun.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Cucumber Lemon Hefeweizen

Brewed by: Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg, Virginia

Description (from Untappd): "This classic wheat ale was brewed with fresh cucumber and zesty lemon for a refreshing, citrusy flavor with a hint of spice."

Would I buy it again? This was one of those beer that I didn't expect to like, but was so weird I couldn't help but try. I've never seen a cucumber beer before. And unfortunately, there's a reason for that. Theoretically, this should be nice and refreshing, a pleasant summer beer, but it just doesn't work. It's a little too cucumber-y and not lemon-y enough. I'm glad I tried it, but it's just not very good, and I would not buy it again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Matchplay IPA

The brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, New Hampshire

Description (from Untappd): "Born on the 19th hole, and made for your next round, Matchplay IPA is a crisp and crushable ale that you’ll never again tee up without. Soft and refreshing, yet packed with bright and bold hops, our newest IPA is a sure gimme on a hot day."

Would I buy it again? The latest entry in my long-running series "Buying beer because there's golf on the can/bottle," this beer is a simple and juicy IPA. Hoppy, but not bitter. Which makes it pleasant to drink instead of a chore. Exactly the sort of beer you'd want on the golf course on a hot summer day. Of course, I don't really drink beer while playing golf, but I'd still buy this beer again.

Review: Black Rock Golf Course (Part 2)

It's time to check out the back nine at Black Rock, go here to see the front.

The tenth hole is 375 yards and plays over slightly rolling terrain. The fairway bends right around some trees, then drops slightly toward the green, which is medium sized and protected by a large bunker left. There's also a steep dropoff left and past the green, so really the key on this second shot is not to miss left. A pretty simple way to start the back nine.

The tenth hole.

The tenth green.

The eleventh hole is the longest par 4 at Black Rock, playing nearly 440 yards. It's not as tough as the yardage might indicate though; while the fairway does sort of do a double dogleg S shape, the corridor is pretty wide and there are no fairway bunkers. A good drive will leave a short or mid iron up the hill slightly to a slightly punchbowl-like green with a big bunker front right.

The eleventh hole.

Approaching the eleventh green.

The eleventh green.

The twelfth hole is a mid-length par 4 that really could stand to be a little shorter. As the hole is currently, the back tee is about 10-15 yards away from the fourteenth fairway, and while there are trees blocking the tee from incoming shots from that hole, you do feel rather in the line of fire. There's no particular reason this hole needs to be 390 yards, it could easily have been a shorter drive-and-pitch par 4. Anyway, the hole is straightaway, and while there aren't any hazards on the tee shot per se, the hole runs along the top of a small plateau, so beyond the containing mounds on both sides, the land does fall away on both sides. This is a fairway you want to hit. A solid 3 wood will leave a short iron into a medium-sized green flanked by bunkers.

The twelfth hole.

Approaching the twelfth green.

The twelfth green.

I think the architect was in a real bad mood when he did the thirteenth hole, a 430-yards par 4 — at least when it came to the green. The tee shot here is quite wide and inviting, though the fairway does bend pretty sharply to the right. You do need to be mindful that the fairway ends about 275-300 yards out, so longer hitters definitely need to reel it in. A good 3 wood will leave a short or mid iron over a pond to a small, very shallow green wedged between three bunkers. It's easily the toughest iron shot on the course, made even more so by the extreme back-to-front tilt of the green. You miss the green long, and getting the chip to stop on the green is a tall order to say the least. It's a tough hole, made even more so by the fact that no other hole at Black Rock comes close to this level of difficulty.

The thirteenth hole.

Approaching the thirteenth green.

The thirteenth green.

The fourteenth hole is the longest hole at Black Rock, playing 540 yards to a semi-blind fairway. The fairway is more open than it perhaps looks, with nothing to worry about on the tee shot other than a few trees. And while most people wouldn't be going for this green in two anyway, the decision is made for you, as the green is cut off from the fairway by a large front bunker. Actually, this is one of those holes where it's best to be conservative and leave yourself a full wedge third, as not only does the green demand an aerial approach, it's also quite shallow. You really do need spin on the ball to get an approach close to the hole.

The fourteenth hole.

Approaching the fourteenth green.

The fourteenth green.

The fifteenth hole is 185 yards, though that length is mitigated somewhat by the fact that the green is 40 or 50 feet below the tee. While the pond in front is obviously something to think about, it is easy enough to avoid. The green is long and fairly thin, with a bunker (sort of) wide right. 

The fifteenth hole.

The fifteenth green.

The sixteenth hole is 515 yards, but it's more reachable than you might think since the tee shot plays significantly downhill and you can easily shave some distance off by cutting the dogleg. That first tree in the corner can be hit right across easily enough, and doing so will leave a long iron or fairway wood slightly uphill to a small green with a large bunker front left. If you can hit a draw, that will help quite a bit at getting the approach close.

The sixteenth hole.

Approaching the sixteenth green.

The sixteenth green.

The seventeenth hole is 170 yards, and while that's a bit on the long side for a par 3 with a shallow green and a gigantic bunker in front — no ground game on this hole — somehow I don't mind this one. This may be a case of a hole that's specifically more difficult for higher-handicap golfers, people who struggle to carry irons consistently. The green is at least receptive and quite wide, so as long as you cover the right yardage you should have an easy time making par, even if your aim isn't great.

The seventeenth hole.

Approaching the seventeenth green.

The eighteenth hole is a fairly long par 4, almost exactly the same length as the twelfth at 435 yards. The fairway is wide open, but driver is not something you necessarily want to reach for. For one thing, a pond cuts across the fairway about 325 yards out, which is a long way, but when you pass the 250-yard mark the fairway runs significantly downhill toward the water. That's really what you're contending with if you hit driver, a second shot from a steeply downhill stance. Laying back leaves you a mid or long iron into the green, but you'll have a flat lie. The green is medium sized and backed by three bunkers, with the pond present but not really an issue unless you hit the world's largest chunk. Not a hugely difficult finisher, but one of the tougher holes on the course.

The eighteenth hole.

Approaching the eighteenth green.

The eighteenth green.

Black Rock is a pleasant place for the average Hagerstown golfer to spend a nice afternoon, and that's pretty much the limit of its ambition. And that's honestly okay ... or it would be if not for a small caveat that I'll get to in a second. This is not a difficult course in any way, shape, or form. It will flatter you about as much as a golf course can. I hit six greens in regulation and still managed a score in the low 80s. And while the architecture isn't really designed to provoke thought, the fact that Black Rock traverses distinctly non-flat land is enough to give it some strategic interest. I honestly don't mind this golf course in isolation.

What I do mind is the price. $70 is way, way too much for what you get. And that's walking, too; they don't give a discount for not taking a cart. Then again, the tee sheet is almost always pretty full. The only way I was able to get out by myself was playing just before the twilight rate started ($50 if you're curious, which is still too much). If it were $30-$40, sure, I'd maybe throw Black Rock into the rotation once or twice. But at $70? Not a chance. It's really not that good a golf course.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Harvest Lager

The brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts

Description (from the website): "Brewed in the spirit of friendship, New England craftsmanship, and the idea that being outdoors is better together. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an urban explorer, this beer was brewed for all of us who strive to 'be an outsider.' A smooth, crisp, and balanced Amber Lager brewed with Maine-grown malt and balanced with a mild hop spice delivers an easy-drinking finish perfect for any Fall occasion. Gather friends and get outside."

Would I buy it again? I don't know why L.L. Bean decided to collaborate on a beer, or why they went with a brewery in Boston when Allagash is plenty big and also in Maine, but I do know that Harpoon and L.L. Bean made a solid lager. It's easy to drink with a little bit of a hoppy kick to it. I would buy it again, and not just for the novelty.

Review: Black Rock Golf Course (Part 1)

When it comes to towns in central Maryland, Hagerstown, in almost every regard, is significantly worse than Frederick. One merely needs to visit the downtown districts of both places to quickly see the difference. But Hagerstown has the advantage in a few areas: donuts, pizza, and municipal golf. 

That last one is what we're going to talk about today. I've never written about Clustered Spires, Frederick's 18-hole municipal golf course, because there's very little to talk about. I've played it once and I have no desire to go back. It's not a bad golf course, technically speaking, but it's so incredibly bland and uninspired that I simply have nothing to say. 

Black Rock Golf Course is never going to win any awards for being a great and interesting golf course. But unlike Clustered Spires, there is occasionally something to say about Black Rock's design. I know, try to contain your incredible curiosity. 

The first hole is a short par 5, playing 490 yards from a tee set high above the fairway. The playing corridor is extremely wide, and shots hit wide right will often bounce back in to a more friendly position. It's a green light to swing away with driver and get into a position to go for the green in two. That second shot is more interesting, as the green is quite small and well defended by a pair of large bunkers. Even so, this is a great opportunity to kick the round off with a birdie.

The first hole.

Approaching the first green.

The first green.

The second hole is a mid-length par 3 that also plays from a perched tee, and honestly, this green complex is a little weird. The only bunker is behind, and the front portion of the green is pinched in, leaving prime space for flanking bunkers that simply aren't there and never have been, as far as I can tell. That makes hitting the shot really the only challenge here, and while that's plenty for most golfers, this is decidedly not an interesting hole.

The second hole.

The third hole, on the other hand, is pretty arresting as soon as you step onto the tee box. The reason for this is simple: About 75 yards, right where one might want to aim their drive on this 480-yard par 5, is a tree of great significance. If one struggles to hit a fade with the driver, your options on the tee shot here are severely limited and you likely won't be able to reach the green in two. Even if you can hit a fade, you really need a big one (or a smaller fade hit dangerously close to the branches) to bring the green into range in two, as there are more trees lurking just left of the fairway to block out insufficiently curved shots. The rest of the hole is almost banal, though the fairway is quite rolling and the green is shallow and significantly elevated. Is this a good hole? No. Is it memorable? Yes.

The third hole.

Approaching the third green.

The third green.

The fourth hole is 360 yards, with a tee shot that plays uphill to a plateau about 225-250 yards out. If one uses a 3 wood or long iron, you'll have a wedge back down the hill into the green, and you'll be playing from a relatively flat stance. Alternatively, you could hit driver, challenging the corner of the dogleg to try and get close to the green, at the risk of leaving yourself a second shot from an awkward length and a hanging lie. The green is small and has a single bunker right. 

The fourth hole.

The fourth green.

The fifth hole is 380 yards and is everyone's favorite: a 90-degree dogleg. The tee shot is simple, just hit a 3 wood out into the very wide fairway, avoiding the trees left. That will leave a wedge or short iron down the hill to a relatively large green guarded by three bunkers. I do not enjoy this hole, and I don't think I've ever played it well. (Oh yeah, I've played Black Rock several times, though it has been a while.)

The fifth hole.

The fifth green.

The sixth hole is 355 yards and features the same sort of diagonal drive as the third, just without the giant tree in the way. Honestly though, while you can hit driver straight at the green, you may not want to. A good drive will leave just a little half-wedge, and when the approach is to a relatively shallow, elevated green surrounded by bunkers, you really want to have a full wedge in hand. Trying to gauge a half-shot with all that is a recipe for leaving your second shot in the front bunker.

The sixth hole.

Approaching the sixth green.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is just under 200 yards and plays over essentially flat land to a green angled from right to left hidden behind a bunker, with a second bunker long and right. The shape of the hole is vaguely Redan-like, though of course without any meaningful tilt to the green, it doesn't really play like one or offer any particularly interesting options.

The seventh hole.

The seventh green.

The eighth hole is 415 yards, which isn't particularly long, but the hole plays uphill the entire way, so that does add some effective distance. And that's about the only interesting thing on this hole; you hit the fairway, then the green, making sure to avoid the trees left of the dogleg. No need to get too aggressive on this tee shot. There are two bunkers around the green, one left and one long.

The eighth hole.

Approaching the eighth green.

The eighth green.

The ninth hole is 430 yards, but since it plays quite dramatically downhill, it's effectively a bit shorter than the previous hole. The fairway is pretty wide open, though the driving range is off to the right and longer hitters do have to worry about the pond lurking left of the fairway. For most, though, this is a pretty simple and fun tee shot. The second shot will be a short iron to a narrow, angled green flanked by bunkers, with the pond left not really in play but still something to think about.

The ninth hole.

Approaching the ninth green.

The ninth green.

That's it for this week, next week we'll take a look at the back nine.