Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope » 72/6925/73.5/139

Description »  Municipal course with the feel of a privately-owned upscale. In a picturesque valley surrounded by farms in the middle of Maryland horse country in northern Baltimore County, Greystone features elevation change, expansive, undulating greens, attractive landscaping, bunker clusters and two man-made lakes.

Reason to play »  Challenging layout with a variety of memorable holes. Amenities include top-notch clubhouse and state-of-the-art GPS. Ranked No. 26 among municipal courses in the U.S. by Golfweek. Only other local course on the list of 50 was Laurel Hill of Lorton (No. 15).

Designer »  Before succumbing to heart disease, Joe Lee built two courses in the region, both gems. Greystone and Musket Ridge are ranked No. 6 and No. 7 respectively among public courses in Maryland (Golfweek).

Toughest hole »  No. 8, Par 3, 192 Yards » Pond with retaining wall front and left, bunkers right and beyond, and wooded ravine further right makes this shot from the exposed, elevated tee the most intimidating on the course, especially when the wind is up and the pin is deep.

Signature hole » No. 10 » Par 5 » 527 Yards » Nothing dramatic about the view from tee, but cross a ridge that runs across the middle of the fairway and an awe-inspiring hole emerges below, with golden, knee-high grass down the right side and the green at the bottom of a bowl, protected by bunkers. Approach plays shorter than distance. Two-shot hole for many players.

Wow Hole »  No. 3, Par 3, 227 Yards » After the first two solid, but uninspiring holes, No. 3 is a downhill stunner to a green framed beautifully by trees. The length, combined with an environmental area in front and out-of-bounds right, can be scary, but the two-tiered green is massive and the hole plays shorter than on the card.

Warning »  On a recent visit, a distressed voice from behind a tree line summed up the feelings of many Greystone patrons. “Ridiculous ****ing greens.” One reason for the frustration: Greystone’s greens have much hidden slope. It is essential to be on the low side of the hole. Another reason: The poa annua-splotched surfaces are in less-than-pristine condition.

Best of Baltimore »  Greystone is the jewel of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority, which also operates Rocky Point (Essex), Longview (Timonium), The Woodlands and Diamond Ridge, which share the same clubhouse in Windsor Ridge.

In the beginning … »  Greystone was conceived as a private club, but when investors ran low on funds during construction, they sold it to Baltimore County. Course was rerouted in response to complaints that the opening holes were too difficult. The opening holes used to be the start of the back nine.

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