Eisenhower had a storied past, but it was time for a facelift.
Eisenhower Golf Course has been a local municipal golf course in Anne Arundel County for nearly 50 years, but the well-loved system fell into disrepair over the years. The greens became tired and riddled with draining issues, and the infrastructure needed a major overhaul. It was also the only one in the county that afforded African Americans and other minorities to learn to play the game of Golf. So renovating while preserving its history and heritage was influential in the redesign.
The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course is the newest municipal course in the county—image courtesy of Annapolis Discovered.
Thankfully, after 2 1/2 years of extensive renovations, the newly redesigned golf course is officially open as The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course. Andrew Green designed the course, but it was a collaborative effort between Damien Cosby, Director of Golf at Eisenhower, and Karen Jennings, Senior Engineer at Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration at the Department of Public Works (DPW). Green is a superstar in golf architecture who took on the Eisenhower renovation with a vision to blend the natural landscape and terrain of the old course with 'greener' practices focused on conservation and ecology.
New fairways, greens, and tee boxes at The Preserve.
Image courtesy of Annapolis Discovered.
The course moved to Bermuda grass, which is a much more ecological choice given Maryland's finicky weather. During the renovation, the course received all new greens, tee boxes, fairways, 18 boardwalks, and new bunkers. One noticeable difference in the redesign was the elimination of sand traps. That's right- no sand traps. Pick your jaw off the floor- if you are unfamiliar with this design feature, trust us when we say it works! Not only does it tie into the landscape seamlessly, but it also adds a degree of difficulty to the game while being extremely cost-effective. According to experts, 'a square foot of bunkering can cost as much as a square foot of green space'1
Sandpits were removed and replaced by hummocks as a greener alternative—image courtesy of Annapolis Discovered.
The Preserve's true purpose is to provide everyone the opportunity to play the game. Golf has long been played behind the gates of a private club, relegated to the elite and privileged few. However, quality municipal courses are on the rise and are, in our opinion, essential to the growth of the game. Municipal courses allow Golf to attract a wider audience while providing accessibility to underserved communities. To this end, The Preserve plans to add junior programs and camps to its summer schedule beginning in June.
Book a tee time through their website or app; the course is open seven days a week—image courtesy of Annapolis Discovered.
The Preserve is open to the public seven days a week, and tee times can be booked via their website or app. The course is run and maintained by Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks, and county residents indeed get a discount. Consider it a 'Thank You' to county residents for their patience during the renovation. Visit their website for a complete list of FAQs and fees; we think you will be pleasantly pleased with the new course and its offerings. In addition to junior camps, they provide league play, golf instruction, women's clinics, and more. Lastly, look for expanded programs throughout the county catering to new and younger golfers. Shorter courses and looping games are a perfect way to introduce the game to the whole family while enjoying time in nature. The goal is to bring Golf to anyone who wants to learn, and Eisenhower and the County are on the right track!
Whatever your skill level, put The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course at the top of your list. We'll see you on the links.
1 The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course website.
