After an inspirational visit in 2024, the fine folks in Ocean City invited me back to fully explore the local golf landscape in 2025. I covered four golf courses on my first visit and I was set to explore five more this time. With my initial exploration of Eagle’s Landing, Rum Pointe, Ocean City Golf Club and The Links at Lighthouse Sound still fresh in my mind, I pulled into my accommodations at The Residence Inn with a smile on my face. It was time to play some golf and take some photographs.
First up on the agenda was a destination that stretched the limits of the Ocean City boundaries. Just a short drive into the state of Delaware you will find the friendly confines of Heritage Shores Golf Club. This Arthur Hills design is one of the premier public courses in the state of Delaware.
The 17th hole has a similar vibe to the Waste Management’s 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. However, instead of drunk screaming fans, its moderately affordable housing in a suburban setting.
The second stop on our tour of Ocean City is the only Robert Trent Jones Sr designed golf course on Maryland’s Eastern shore. While that is clearly an overly specific brag, the golf course delivers on its namesake with some dramatic pines.
Growing up as a junior golfer in Fort Wayne, IN, I worked at a golf course called Chestnut Hills. As teenagers, we lovingly called Chestnut Hills “The Nut.” It would take 27 years for me to find another golf course with the same moniker, but in 2025 I found Nutters Crossing which also goes by the nickname “The Nutt.” There is a difference of just one ‘t’ but I was still pretty excited about things. She may be only 6,400 yards but Nutters is a ton of fun to play.
“The front side gives players the chance to let out a little shaft on the tee.”
My second tour of Ocean City wrapped up at the splendid Glen Riddle Golf Club. What is now the clubhouse was formerly the main stable of the Riddle Farm which produced two of the finest thoroughbreds that the world has ever witnessed, War Admiral and Man o’ War. War Admiral was the forth winner of the American Triple Crown and Man o’ War is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. The two golf courses at the club are named after these respective horses.
In addition to the 36 holes of golf, there is still a horse racing oval on the farm that trained numerous Hall of Fame racehorses
Glen Riddle - Man o’ War
The Man o’ War course offers a little more open ground than its counterpart. An errant tee shot won’t always be punished with a penalty stroke but the recovery shot is certain to be several degrees more difficult.
The finish line on the old race track is still in place on the par 3 9th hole. Ironically the hole plays just over 1 furlong long at 228 yards from the back tees. I hooked my ball down onto the sandy race strip and splashed one out to about 4 feet. Unfortunately, I missed the short putt, otherwise, I would have declared myself a Triple Crown Winner.
Glen Riddle - War Admiral
The War Admiral course is routed through a mature forest and offers a completely different experience from Man o’ War. Most of the holes stand apart from the others. The tidal marsh comes into play on 5 of the holes and always delivers some excitement.
If you are planning to make a journey to the Maryland coastline, you will also need to check out my first visit to Ocean City and plan your golf accordingly.