Yeah, I know I promised reviews of the courses I played while in Ocean City last month. They’re coming (beginning tomorrow), although they’re not going to be as detailed as I had hoped.  Suspect skies kept the camera in the car more often than the golf cart.  If that wasn’t bad enough, I actually forgot to bring it with me on the day we had the best weather to work with.  I also didn’t take detailed notes like I probably should have.  Still, I should be able to provide an accurate picture of my experiences in Ocean City.

The 8th hole at the Glen Riddle Man O' War course (not my photo). Check back soon for a full review.

With more details coming, for now I’ll just share some general thoughts on the tirp:

• Ocean City is dead in late April.  Even Seacrets, the most popular bar in the city, is practically a ghost town (the place is big enough to qualify as a town of its own).  On the plus side, the beer was cheap ($1.75).  If you’re hoping to play golf all day, and then meet that special someone, than you might want to play your trip for a bit later in the season.
• Don’t cut corners on the golf.  We went with a slightly modified version of one of the cheapest packages available.  Most of the courses were nice enough, but given that Ocean City was very likely the only vacation (at least golf vacation) I’ll take this year, I wish I had upgraded the golf.  Chances are you’ll leave Ocean City thinking the same thing.
• Don’t cut corners on the hotel.  I spent 3 less-than-lovely nights living in irony at the Quality Inn Ocean Front suites.  To put it as nicely as humanly possible, the “hotel” is a shit hole.  The only missing amenities are a police tape and a chalk line.  The Atrium Cafe (with it’s open spaces, and tropical birds) looks beautiful in pictures.  In reality, however; it looks like a poorly maintained mini golf course.  My room overlooked the indoor pool, and while it did provide some interesting views (enough said about that), I wouldn’t say it was a particularly nice, or clean room.  I wouldn’t even talk about the curious odor.  Even if you’re only planning on being in your room for a couple hours of sleep each night, I was told by one of the local bar owners, that you can do a lot better, for just a few dollars more.
  
  

  One of two hot tubs the Quality Inn Oceanfront has to offer. Don't you wanna just hop right in?
  
  
  

  A view of the atrium from my room. I assure you, it isn't half as nice as it looks from up there.
• Consider booking the trip yourself.  We went through the Harrison Group, and while they did a good job of taking care of all of the arrangements, the courses in Ocean City are all part of larger conglomerates, and it’s very easy to handle all of your bookings in one place.  Obviously you can book your own hotel.  That leaves just the meal vouchers.  While they were handy once or twice, if anything they limit your dining options.  Unless you’re easily swayed by ½ lbs. of shrimp. you’re not getting much added value.
• Do eat at the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse at Glen Riddle.  It’s worth every penny and then some.
• Bring a warm jacket, or fleece.  Yeah…that’s common sense I know, but since I neglected to pack anything warmer than a rain jacket, I figured I’d mention that Ocean City in April can be a bit chilly.
• Finally, consider playing Saturday through Tuesday instead of Friday through Monday.  Everyone likes to take their extended weekend golf trips Friday through Monday, but playing Saturday through Tuesday you can save a decent amount of money (course upgrades), and play on less crowded courses.  Either way you’re probably looking at 2 days out of the office, so what have you got to lose?

Check back tomorrow for my review of the Eagles Landing; the first of 4 Ocean City Maryland golf course reviews.