This past weekend, at the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Harford County, golfers enjoyed watching the Masters, from Augusta, on two flat-screen televisions.
In a few weeks, those same fans can watch another group of world-class golfers, but this time in person.
The McDonald?s Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Championship will be held June 8-11 at the Bulle Rock Golf Club in Havre de Grace.
“I really think the Masters? week gets the golf juices going,” said Richard Rounsaville, the general manager/director of golf at Bulle Rock.
“Once the Masters comes around and the weather turns, the people start coming out” to play, said Peter Bollman, the head golf professional at Bulle Rock.
Teen pro sensation Michelle Wie is slated to play in the major LPGA event in June, said Rounsaville.
Last year?s LPGA tour stop drew about 97,000 people for the week to Bulle Rock, and Rounsaville expects to better that in June. Wie played as an amateur last year at Bulle Rock.
“Last year, as a club, we did a monuemental amount of work to get ready for this,” Rounsaville said.
“This time last year we were moving into our new clubhouse,” Bollman said. “We are not cocky. But we know what is coming at us” this year.
Rounsaville and Bollman said the course is starting to improve, after the dryest March on record.
“Our course colors have really changed dramatically in the last week,” Rounsaville said this past weekend. “We are shedding our winter yellow.”
“We had a very nice day (Sunday). The golf course is starting to look good,” Rounsaville said Monday.
Until the pros arrive, golfers from Harford County and beyond can enjoy playing on a LPGA course.
“The thing about Bulle Rock, it can accommodate any level of player. It is about 7,400 yards,” said Bollman, who has worked with Rounsaville since the club opened in 1998.
LPGA COMES TO HARFORD
What: McDonalds LPGA Championship
When: June 8-11, 2006
Where: Bulle Rock Golf Club, Havre de Grace
Last year?s attendance: 97,000 (est.)
Information: www.bullerock.com
