Time is running out for fans of the old-style University of Maryland Golf Course. In July, the facility will undergo renovation, bringing the 1959 design up to date.
This month the top players at UMGC are imprinting sweet memories of their pre-renovation layout with a surprise run in the 78th Maryland State Golf Association Team Championships.
Last week in the quarterfinal round, the semi-private club, which has never been to the MSGA team finals, upset two-time defending champion Breton Bay of Leonardtown, 11.5-6.5. Playing brilliantly on its home course, UMGC won eight of nine match points in College Park to advance to the semifinals Saturday against Columbia Country Club, winner of the title a record 11 times, all since 1973.
“We don’t have a chance,” said UMGC Director of Golf, Jeff Maynor. “At least that’s what I’m telling our guys.”
But the team may know better after its impressive run, which included wins over 10-time champion Congressional and three-time winner Argyle.
With just 134 members, who pay an annual fee of $2,250 and share their course with the public, UMGC has little in common with its well-heeled counterparts along the Beltway, which command initiation fees that approach or exceed six figures.
“We’re more of a working-class club,” said Maynor. “We’ve always had seven or eight strong players. But now we’ve got 11 or 12, and a lot of them now have tournament experience. That’s been the difference.”
Last week at home, the UMGC duos of Ted Coon-Dwayne Nmezi and Creed Wack-Zach Howard swept three match points each, while Ron Thomas and defending club champion Tim Conner won, 2-1. On the road at Breton Bay, the duo of John Scholtz-John Moyher took 2.5 points. Other contributors for UMGC include Vance Welch, Steve Martin, Dan Walker and Blair Kennedy.
University of Maryland GC will have a rigorous test Saturday against a veteran Columbia team, that includes Marty West, Richard Holland, Henri deLozier, Mike Mitchell and pro Bob Dolan.
