July 27, 2020 University of MD GC, College Park, MD


The Free State Seniors played their July Tournament at the University of Maryland Golf Course today. As you all know it was a very hot and humid day today, but I am proud to report that 100 senior golfers showed up to play. I would like to thank you all for playing today.

The list of winners is attached, congratulations to the winners, but everyone was a winner today for playing.

You can click on any photograph to get a full-size view.

Overall Gross Champions
Ron Getek, Lindsay Dixon, Kirk Thomas, Bob Linkous
(68-69---137)

Overall Net Champions
Ed Baur, John Nesbitt, John Stout, Kevin Hall
(59-64---123)
A Flight


Low Gross
Jim Horn, Craig Walker
Jeff Moon, Bill Hoffman
(71-73---144)

Low Net
Bill Callahan, David Cohen
John Hogarty, Pete Monge
(60-65---125)
B Flight


Low Gross
Bill Parks, Wayne Pruitt
Craig Whitaker, Carl Herbermann
(74-75---149)

Low Net
Steven Welsch, Merlin Erickson
Frank Weinstein, Doug Strouse
(64-63---127)
C Flight


Low Gross
Herman Ingram, Ivan Allen
Joe Smith, Bill Callahan (Draw)
(73-78---151)

Low Net
Bob Driggers, Bob Meyers
Buddy Slack, Roy Ford
(59-67---126)


There were no Closest to the Pin Competitions


Provided below are a few photographs from the Tournament. Click on any to get a full-size view

University of MD Golf Course - July 27, 2020

The Free State Seniors will play their July Tournament at the University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park, Maryland. The information and entry form can be found in the Tournament's section. This is a 4-Man Team Tournament, but you can sign up as an individual or with 1, 2 or 3 partners and the Golf Committee will fill in your foursome. This is a good time to recruit some new members to fill out your team! We will again be having tee times beginning at 11:30 AM, but we will be starting on both the first and tenth tees. Everyone will tee off within a 2 hour window. Again there will not be an awards banquet afterward, but we will have a grill selection of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches or beef smoked sausages. You will also receive a drink (water or soda), chips or pretzels and cookies. We hope to see you at the University of Maryland.

In November 1954, Dr. Wilson H. Elkins, President, University of Maryland, commissioned a study for a proposed golf course to serve the University community. The interest in the sport by students and faculty was highlighted, as was the observation “that there are very, very few who could afford to belong to one of the neighboring country clubs. Another significant point was brought to Dr. Elkins' attention – that every school with whom the University has intercollegiate athletic relations sponsors a golf team. An area west of the new highway (today known as University Boulevard, Maryland Route 193) which at the present time is being constructed west of the stadium (today, Byrd Stadium) was recommended. A noteworthy aspect of this tract of land was the fact that a portion of it was a U.S. Army anti-aircraft site. Some recommendations to lower costs included piece meal basis, utilizing student labor, prison labor, physical plant equipment, and cooperative efforts of lumber equipment manufacturers in the clearing operations. A few notable asides are worth mentioning. Prison labor provided by the nearby prison in Jessup, Maryland was used in course construction. A local farmer and husband of an assistant to Mr. Cronin also helped in the construction. And lastly, the original modest clubhouse was replaced in 1999 with the present day, approximately $3M facility replete with a fullservice pro shop, locker rooms, restaurant, bar, and spacious banquet facilities.

At a June 24, 1955, meeting of the Board of Regents, chaired by Judge William P. Cole, Mr. Brown's Athletic Committee's findings were presented. A primary recommendation was to retain the services of Messrs. Ault and Jamison for the tee-to-green layout and to employ a licensed and established golf course architect, Mr. George W. Cobb, for specifications and construction plans and for supervision of construction provided by a retired University professor, Dr. Charles O. Appleman, included “plans for a golf course which he had formulated for President Woods around 1920. [Albert F. Woods was President, Maryland State College of Agriculture (later to become the University of Maryland) from 1917-1926]. Funding for the golf course was forthcoming in the form of non-appropriated funds provided by receipts from three post-regular season football games the University of Maryland Terrapins participated in – the 1952 Sugar Bowl, and the 1954 and 1956 Orange Bowls.

In the summer of 2008, a $3.5M upgrade began that was based on the design of renowned golf course architect, Mr. William R. Love. The course re-opened in the spring of 2009. The intent of the renovation was to maintain the present routing while preserving the topography and character of the course. The upgrades were intended to enhance the playability and enjoyment for all levels of player, and at the same time improve the overall challenge of the course for tournament competition.