ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE

Crofton in Photos - Golf at Crofton Country Club

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:59:09 -0500

How would you like to drive by a golf course on your way home every day? If you live in Old Crofton, that's a likely occurrence. In fact, I drive past the Par 3 twelfth hole of Crofton Country Club every day on my way home. It's literally a block from my house.

Other lucky Crofton residents live in one of the homes that line the fairways of this golf course or nearby Walden Golf Club.

Even if you don't play golf, you gotta admit it's nice to have the open space to enjoy visually, or more actively by walking or jogging on the cart paths.

Like many Crofton kids, my children grew up playing golf. In fact, my sons literally ran home from school to get their golf clubs and head up to Crofton Country Club. We never had to wonder where they were, because we could always find them on the practice range or putting green - never far from the watchful eyes of adult members.

If you'd like to check out homes in this golf-course community, you can do so at your own pace, as often as you like. Just use this handy link to Crofton Homes for Sale. Then, if you see one online you like, let me know and I'll be happy to show it to you.

More on Crofton area golf:

Other posts in the Crofton in Photos series:

For answers to your real estate questions about Bowie, Crofton, Davidsonville, Fort Meade, Gambrills, Odenton and other communities in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, contact Margaret Woda at Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. or simply click on a button below for information you can review online at your own pace:

Commuting Guide for Crofton Newbies

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:29:04 -0400

Crofton's location is one of the reasons many people chose to live in the community. When the traffic gods are smiling, it's less than an hour to most places residents have to go on a daily basis.

With Route 50 for East-West travel and Route 3 for North-South travel, and both the D.C. and Baltimore Beltways within a half hour, it really is a commuter's heaven - if there is such a thing. With so many people heading towards D.C., it's a bonus that the sun will be at your back, and not in your eyes, both on the way to and home from work.

A prospective Crofton resident contacted me this week to ask what the commuting time would be for her husband to downtown Washington. That inspired me to put together this little directory for anyone relocating to the area. The origination point for these destinations is the Crofton Village Green, in old Crofton.

If you have any questions about commuting or any aspect of living in Crofton, I'll be glad to help - and you, too, may inspire a blog!

RELATED LINKS:

A Commuting Guide for Northrop Grumman Newbies

This post included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland

Top 5 Reasons to Buy A Crofton MD Townhouse

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 07:10:46 -0500

This information is included in the Online Anne Arundel County Relocation Package for Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, the the U.S. Naval Academy.

You probably already know that Crofton, Maryland, was named one of Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to live last year, based on its location, amenities, affordability and other criteria. But why buy a Crofton townhouse, rather than a detached house?

There are many reasons that I can think of, and here are five of them:

1. Crofton townhouses appeal to young and old.

2. There are more than 20 townhouse communities in Crofton.

3. Crofton townhouses come in many price ranges.

4. Crofton townhouses are close to schools and community amenities.

5. Fees for Homeowner Associations and Condo Associations are relatively low.

To continue reading and learn more about this topic and see a directory of Crofton's townhome communities, please follow this link:

Why Buy a Crofton MD Townhouse?

Detached Homes in Old Crofton

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:29:28 -0400

DETACHED HOMES IN OLD CROFTON were constructed in the 60's and 70's, with few exceptions.

"Old Crofton" is considered by most people to be the triangle bordered by Rt. 3 to the West, Rt. 450 to the South, and Rt. 424 to the North, although there are some newer homes within that area, as well. (Routes 450 and 424 intersect to the East of Crofton.)

The first Detached Homes in Crofton were built by Hamilton Crawford, the Louisiana developer who planned this community along with his friend Howard Davis, an engineer who accompanied him from Louisiana. Howard's wife, Louise, sold hundreds of townhouses and Detached Homes in Old Crofton - many of them with little more than drawings on paper and her southern charm, long before construction even began on the first model home.

Their vision was an exclusive community built around a golf course, with detached homes along the fairways separated from townhomes along the outer edges of the community by the "main street" known as Crofton Parkway, which circles the community. Schools and churches would be built within walking distance of the homes, and security gates would protect Crofton residents from the outside world.

Crofton has expanded beyond those gates to become a zipcode, and the gates are purely decorative now. But the community designed by Hamilton Crofton, now known as "Old Crofton" is a beautiful neighborhood with blooming cherry trees and American flags lining Crofton Parkway, sidewalks along every street, and a brick-paved Village Green near the entrance to the community.

If living in this environment appeals to you, you'll be happy to know there are currently fifteen Detached Homes in Old Crofton on the market ranging from $415,000 to $615,000 (7/23/09). Six of them were built by either Levitt & Sons or ITT Levitt, and six others were built by Hamilton Crawford. Three "newer" homes, built in the 80's, round out the offerings, for a wide selection of styles and sizes for these Detached Homes for Sale in Old Crofton.

Generally speaking, the Levitt homes are built on slabs without crawl space or basement, and most of the other Detached Homes in Old Crofton do have either full or partial basements. Except for those homes built in the 80's, gas heat is the norm, and most homes were built with a garage. Crawford homes stand out above the others for amenities with their standard hardwood floors, maple siding and brick exteriors, sold wood interior doors, central vacuum systems, and a heat lamp in every bathroom - truly "state of the art' at the time they were built.

For more information about living in Old Crofton, click on these links and do a little exploring:

PHOTOS: MWoda (copyright)

Maryland real estate - 5 communities among "Top 100 Best Places to Live"

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:19:26 -0400

Your real estate connection for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, Northrop Grumman, BWI and the U.S. Naval Academy

Maryland real estate may experience a slight "boom" now that word is out about what a great place it is to live!

Money's list of Top 100 Best Places to Live 2007 includes five Maryland communities: Crofton (72), Catonsville (49), Eldersburg (56), Elkridge (42), and Olney (17). Communities around the country were ranked for a variety of factors that impact quality of life including affordability, leisure activities, cultural options, job growth, health care access, commute time, and even the weather. Of course, that's no surprise to anyone who lives in these Maryland communities because those are some of the reasons people have been choosing them for many years.

For information about Maryland Real Estate, be sure to visit www.MargaretWoda.com and www.FocusonCrofton.com

Request a FREE Maryland Travel Kit, including a map, places to visit, and things to do.

Crofton Real Estate - Tee it up!

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:49:26 -0400

Your real estate connection for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, Northrop Grumman, BWI and the U.S. Naval Academy

CROFTON MD 21114

My dad always said that a golf course is the best place to raise children, and I have to echo his sentiment. A child who runs home from school to get his golf clubs and practice is not hanging out in an alley experimenting with drugs. An adolescent or teen who plays 18 or 36 holes of golf a day, virtually from dawn 'til dark, is too tired to stay out late at night drinking. A child who plays golf develops life skills such as goal-setting, discipline, self-motivation, and learning from mistakes and disappointments.

Living in Crofton provided my children the opportunity to play golf every day that weather permitted, and my sons took full advantage of that. They competed locally, regionally and nationally - and went to college on golf scholarships. We never had to worry about them... we knew where to find them, because we often played golf with them or watched them play. Their younger sister learned the game, too (although she didn't compete growing up), but she certainly enjoys golf as an adult.

Living in Crofton, your children probably will be a bike ride or walk away from the course at Crofton Country Club or Walden. It's a lifestyle that you and they can both enjoy. But I should warn you...

Bring your long game with you when you tee it up at Crofton Country Club.

It's a Par 72 course that plays 7211 yards from the Championship tees, 6782 from the Blues, 6297 from the White, 6004 from the Golds and 5529 from the Reds. With a course rating of 74 and slope rating of 136, it plays tough as well as long. The home-lined fairways, particularly on the front nine, and three water hazards (two creeks and the pond on #12) demand accuracy as well as length from both tees and fairways.

Crofton Country Club's 18-hole course, designed by Ed Ault and built in 1964, has bent green fairways and greens. With sandy soil, drainage is excellent, and the course is open year-round.

Nearby Walden Golf Club is more friendly to weekend and juniorgolfers with a shorter game, playing just 6504 yards f

rom the Professional tees, 6312 from the Blues, 5947 from the Whites, 5335 from the Golds and 4384 from the Reds. It is a Par 71 course, with a 72.1 course rating and 132 slope rating. Water hazards come into play on fifteen holes.

Designed by Lindsey Irvin in 1990, townhomes and detached homes have grown up around and along Walden Golf Club ever since. The course features sloped greens of bent grass, and the fairways are winter rye.

For more information about golf in Crofton, contact:

Crofton Country Club -1691 Crofton Pkwy, Crofton, MD 21114, Phone (410)721-3111
Walden Golf Club - 1500 Riedel Rd, Crofton, MD 21114, Phone (410)721-8268

For information about living in a home overlooking one of these golf courses, contact Margaret Woda - Long & Foster REALTORS, (410) 451-6245 or cell/text (301) 346-2923.

How to Get $2,000 When You Buy a Bowie MD Home

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:19:40 -0400

Buy a home in the City of Bowie and receive a $2,000 grant if you’re a police officer, city employee or teacher.

You can find a real bargain in Belair at Bowie. Some models are selling as much as $50–$75,000 below what they did only two years ago. I have a beautiful listing that settles this week at just $275,000 – an owner occupied rancher with a huge addition, updated kitchen and baths, new windows and more. That’s lower than the price of most townhones in nearby Crofton, Gambrills or Odenton.

In fact, there are more than 500 homes for sale in Greater Bowie right now, including 107 in the nearby 20715 zipcode. They range from $160,000 for a townhome in Belair Town to $639,000 for a home in Saddlebrook West. My son and his family live in Belair at Bowie, and they love their local school - not to mention the shorter commute to Arlington than they had from Crofton.

Bowie is collaborating with the Prince George’s County Council and the Maryland Department of Housing to offer the City Workforce and Bowie First programs. These will provide $1,000 in closing assistance to eligible home buyers, and the Maryland Mortgage Program will provide matching funds for a total of $2,000.

You can search Bowie Homes for Sale by clicking on the link provided, and then let me know if you’d like to inspect the interior of anything you see there. You’ll find a wide range of homes including both owner-occupied homes and bargain-basement priced foreclosures, short sales and REO’s. (To learn the difference, check out this YouTube video: Real Estate Distress Sales Described)

Congratulations to the City of Bowie for reaching out to prospective homebuyers and making it easier for them to afford a Bowie home.

And congratulations to eligible Bowie homebuyers who enjoy a rare opportunity to get $2000 through these programs PLUS the Federal Tax Credit of $8,000.

Funds will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, so get started now. For more information, contact the City Grants Administrator at City Hall (301-809-3072) or print out one of these applications:

Applications

Bowie First Mortgage Assistance Grant - Application & Information (Police and Teachers)
City Workforce Mortgage Assistance Grant - Application & Information (City Employees)

Belair at Bowie - A Levitt and Sons Community

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:28:14 -0400

Relocating to the Washington-Baltimore area from another part of the country? You may notice that many Bowie homes are similar to other neighborhoods in Maryland including nearby Crofton, Largo, Laurel, Columbia and Wheaton.

In fact, Belair at Bowie may resemble a place you previously lived in New York or New Jersey, Virginia or Pennsylvania - literally hundreds of communities, with many of the same floorplans and architectural designs, were built in hundreds of communities by Levitt and Sons. In fact, the company is still in business as Levitt Corporation, 36 years after the family company was sold.

Few current Bowie residents are old enough to remember Pete Seeger's hit recording in 1963, Little Boxes, but you may get a kick out of reading the lyrics of Little Boxes. Lots of fans thought of Levitt homes when they heard it, but composer Malvina Reynolds' inspiration was actually Dale City, California. By the way, it was performed more recently in the 2005 movie, The Californians, in case it sounds familiar and you're not old enough to remember Pete Seeger.

Okay, Bowie, here's some history about the developer and builder who gave you Belair at Bowie:

Levitt and Sons was established in 1929 by the son of immigrants, real estate attorney Abraham Levitt and his sons William, as President, and Alfred, as Chief Architect and Planner. They started construction the same year on their first community at Rockville Centre, New York, and expanded to several other states over the next four decades.

From the Levitt Corporation website:

William Levitt anticipated a pent-up demand for housing after World War II, and the company started acquiring land while he was still serving in the Pacific with the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's construction unit. The company came up with a design for a basic house, together with a way to reduce construction procedures to 26 steps. This process, together with their mechanical and technical innovations, revolutionized the home-building industry.

Levitt actually created an assembly line to build houses on the site, using men and equipment much as they do in the auto industry. The essential difference between Detroit's methods and Levitt's was that auto makers moved materials past a waiting line of men in a factory, whereas the Levitt system moved the workmen from house site to house site past a waiting line of material in the field. Thus, in an industry notorious for wasted time, motion and material, the company introduced previously unheard-of logistics, timing and efficiency.

William took over the company in 1954 and continued to operate it until 1972, even after selling the company to ITT in 1968 and ITT's subsequent loss of the company in 1971 due to an anti-trust ruling.

Levitt homes were built in Bowie from 1960 to the mid 1970's

Over the years, Levitt companies established a modular home building subsidiary, expanded overseas, and changed hands several times. The Levitt Corporation and many of its subsidiaries are still in business today, even after the 2007 bankruptcy filing by Levitt and Sons, LLC and 37 subsidiaries. While Bill Levitt did return to the building industry in the late 70's, he was barred by the courts from using his own name, a trademark of the company he sold.

Levitt homes sold for less than $20,000, back in the day, and you can see the line which wrapped around the block on opening day when you visit LevittownBeyond.com. This website also displays a copy of the original renderings for Belair at Bowie.

Bowie Homes for Sale today are priced from the $200,000's to the $400,000's, depending on the degree to which they've been added to, updated and upgraded. Here are some of the home styles available in Bowie:

Ardsley - 4 bedroom cape-cod

Buckingham - 3-bedroom ranch

Cambridge - 3 bedroom 2-story colonial style

Country Clubber - 4-5 bedroom cape-cod

Devon - expanded 3-bedroom ranch style

Dorset -3-bedroom townhome

Gladstone - 4-bedroom 2-story colonial style

RELATED LINKS:

Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Home in Bowie, Maryland
Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland
Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month

How are you going to celebrate National Cheesecake Day?

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:50:38 -0400

It's National Cheesecake Day tomorrow, July 30, and we plan to use the occasion as an excuse to visit The Cheesecake Factory in Annapolis for the first time.

Ironically, my daughter tells me they have good salads... Really? Who goes to a restaurant called The Cheesecake Factory for a salad? Well, she wasn't kidding. I checked the menu online this morning and it IS a full-service restaurant that does, indeed, offer salads. In fact, the menu is 20 pages long, so they obviously serve a LOT more things than cheesecake, in spite of the name!

I wanted to know more about this restaurant before going there, so I spent a little quality time on the website. It seems that its roots are in Detroit during the 1940's but the first Cheesecake Factory opened in L.A. during the 1970's, selling over 20 varieties of the dessert. A restaurant soon followed, and now there are locations nationwide in more than 150 locations including Columbia, the Baltimore Harbour and Annapolis Mall in Maryland - all within about a half hour of Crofton.

If you would like to celebrate National Cheesecake Day at a restaurant appropriately-named for the occasion, check out this list to find out if there is one near you: The Cheesecake Factory locations.

Mortgage Financing made to look easy - FHA loans Have NO Min Credit Score for Florida Homebuyers - Really???

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:59:08 -0400

Most properties in Crofton, MD, fit the price range for FHA financing, so chances are you'll be considering it as one of your options when you buy a home. But you'll find a lot of mis-information online and you shouldn't believe it all. (How could you, since it often conflicts?) If you want the straight scoop on anything related to FHA financing, you can always count on Jeff...

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

This makes FHA loans sound to EASY. This is extremely misleading...

I must digress... this post was just sent to me. FHA loans have no minimum credit score for Florida Homeowners -

From reading this post, the author makes it sound very easy to obtain FHA loans with less than perfect credit. The author states this - "At the same time FHA loans to (do) not penalize Florida buyers with a higher interest rate because of having less then perfect credit."

Much of the information above and in the post is extremely misleading. I would consider this as a FHA mortgage myth per se. Let me break it down for you.

Misleading info about FHA Loans :

FHA mortgages don't have minimum credit score requirements. Okay, this is actually true, there is no minimum credit score from FHA. But many lenders have minimum credit scores. And FHA does state that if you have a credit score below 580, that you would need at least 10% down. FHA mentioned this in Mortgagee Letter 2010-02... I wrote about it here. FHA mortgage changes with down payment and credit scores. .

Let me take this one step further. Many lenders won't go below a credit score of 620. Yes, there are a few lenders that will do credit scores from 580 to 619, but you need to be very very careful when promised this kind of loan. First off, they are much more difficult, that the guidelines are much tougher. Secondly, the interest rates and fees are usually much higher, sometimes up to 1 percent more in interest rate with points. And I have come across many borrowers in the last 6 months that were promised a FHA loan with less than a 620 score and many of them never closed. Again, not saying that it can't be done, but it's not easy.

Summary : Overall, this kind of post with the information is very misleading. Here is another statement from that article.

Easier to qualify: Because FHA insures private Florida mortgage lenders, FHA lenders are more willing to give you loan terms that make it easier for you to qualify.

More willing? Okay, getting an FHA loan can be easier sometimes than getting a conventional loan. But this statement makes it seem like it's easy. Each borrower is different, not one borrower being the same. You need to work with a very good professional loan officer. I currently have a borrower with a 637 credit score who was first pre-approved in the first week of May 2010. She just received this from the lender.

"I'm sorry I was out of my office all day today. The reason a commitment hasn't been given is because your credit score does not meet the required score needed to get the loan"

Wow.. rut row... this lender knew about this same credit score back in May, and now she is just saying this? I told the client that I can help. It's not an easy deal, but I have been helping her get all her ducks in a row in the last 10 days. We are ready to proceed.

My point? Just because someone promises you a loan, gives you a pre-approval letter, or even a commitment letter, it does not guarantee you a FHA loan. Yes, FHA loans with less than perfect credit and lower scores (620 or higher) can happen, but not everyone can handle these types of loans. Mortgage Myths or misleading mortgage information is out there, just be careful. Do your research carefully.

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors

Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

Maryland Schools Rank #1 Again

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:10:19 -0400

Maryland’s public education system ranks first in the nation again this year.

Education Week, the College Board and Newsweek Magazine ranked Maryland #1 for the highest percentage of rigorous high schools in America based on the “Challenge Index” developed by the Washington Post.

The “America’s Top High Schools” issue of Newsweek, published last week, listed 98 Maryland high schools among its top 1,622 schools nationwide. Since Maryland has 185 public schools, this means that 53 percent of our high schools appeared on their list. (A few other states have more schools on the list, but they have far more schools overall and, therefore, a lower percentage of schools from their state.)

The Challenge Index looks at student enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge courses and tests. These are considered to be indicators of good preparation for college, and many colleges and universities give credit for them.

Both high schools attended by children living in Crofton, Maryland (21114), are among the eleven (out of twelve) Anne Arundel County public schools that made the list – Arundel H.S. in Gambrills and South River H.S. in Edgewater. Nearby Bowie H.S., in Prince George’s County, also made Newsweek’s list of “America’s Top High Schools”.

If you're looking for good schools when you relocate to the D..C. area, you can't go wrong with Maryland - and it's hard to beat Anne Arundel County, where 11 out of 12 schools are in the nation's top 6% of public high schools.

RELATED LINKS:

CROFTON HIGHLANDS - Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:23:09 -0400

Homes in Crofton Highlands rarely change hands. This small neighborhood of 50 homes, located on the North side of Rt. 424 (Davidsonville Road), is across from Old Crofton and backing to Crofton Meadows. Washington, DC and Baltimore are easily accessible via major commuting routes, and major employers such as Fort Meade, NSA, Andrews AFB, Northrop Grumman, BWI, USNA and Maryland State Government offices in Annapolis are within a half hour.

When I mentioned "rarely change hands", I wasn't exaggerating... Only five new families have purchased homes in Crofton Highlands since 2006. This seems like a pretty good indication that anyone living here probably loves their neighborhood and doesn't want to leave.

Relocating families often don't have the option of living in Crofton Highlands, since there is so little turnover in this neighborhood, but I've created a Hot Sheet to make it easy for you to find out if any homes are available there at any time. Just click on Homes for Sale in Crofton Highlands.

If you click on that link today, you'll find one home for sale at $469,000. It has a lovely setting at the end of a long driveway on a cul de sac, so you don't want to let this home get away from you.

It would be my privilege to represent you as your buyer's agent to show you the home at 2087 Lower Court. You'll find my contact information elsewhere on this page.

OTHER AFFORDABLE HOMES NEAR FORT MEADE:

RELATED POSTS:

Fort Meade is Home to the U.S. Army Field Band

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:43:37 -0400

The musical ambassadors of the United States Army are based right here at Fort George G. Meade.

"As the premier touring musical representative for the United States Army, this internationally-acclaimed organization travels thousands of miles each year presenting a variety of music to enthusiastic audiences throughout the nation and abroad." That's how they're described on the band's official website.

Army band members are active duty soldiers in the U.S. Army who rotate through various assignments throughout their careers, just like any other member of the U.S. military. Bandsmen, as they are called, have duties ranging from performing instrumentalists and vocalists to conductors, sound technicians and administrators. They could be assigned to a large band (at Fort Monroe, VA, Ft. McPherson, GA, and Heidelberg, Germany) or a special band (Pershings Own at Ft. Myer, VA, the USMA Band at West Point, NY, and the US Army Field Band at Fort Meade).

Here at Fort Meade, bandsmen may be part of the Concert Band, the Soldiers' Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors, or The Volunteers and perform 100 times a year - across the country and around the world. They participate as guest artists (both individually and as small ensembles) for community and school concerts; they conduct clinics at high schools and colleges; and they assist local music educators with camps, music instrument drives or whatever they can.

The band and various ensembles go on tour during the summer months, and may be visiting a town or city near you in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio or even Toronto, ON this month or next. Be sure to check the U.S. Army Field Band Schedule 2010.

I noticed on the schedule they'll be performing July 4 at Point State Park Main Stage in Pittsburgh... and the on the southwest corner of the Washington Monument... I wonder who will perform at the July 4 celebration right here at Fort Meade?

Residents in the greater Crofton MD area have no shortage of opportunities to hear the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy bands perform throughout the summer, including the 2010 Summer Concert Series on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.

P.S. Don't forget to bring your bug spray! (Speaking from experience...)

RELATED POSTS:

If you have PCS orders to Fort Meade - for the U.S. Army Field Band or any other assignment - I would consider it a privilege to help you find a home and community within a half hour of Fort Meade and NSA.

Fort George G. Meade - Play Golf at The Courses

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:25:32 -0400

Fort George G Meade in Maryland is many things... one of them is a community, complete with shopping, recreational facilities, day care, dining, and more.

Golf is nearly always mentioned in any conversation about recreation at Fort Meade, and The Courses offer 27-holes of golf right in the heart of the post to qualified individuals.

You may be eligible to play golf at Fort Meade, without even realizing it... In fact, I think a lot of local residents may not be aware they don't have to be active duty military or stationed at Fort Meade to play The Courses (although active-duty E1-E5 stationed at Meade do have lower rates than anyone else except junior golfers).

There are several levels of eligibility (listed in order of priority) for playing golf on The Courses at Fort Meade:

Active duty military personnel (and their families) assigned to Fort Meade
Active duty military personnel (and their families) NOT assigned to Fort Meade and members of the ARNG and USAR.
Retired military personnel (and their families).
Fort Meade MDW DOD, retired DOD, appropriated fund (APF) and non-appropriated fund (NAF) civilian employees (family members may play as guests when accompanied by an authorized patron.)
Honorably discharged Veterans with proof of prior military service (DD Form 214).

I doubt you could find any place to play golf in the Washington, D.C. area for less money because daily fees start at just $10 for juniors, authorized personnel never pay more than $21 per round, and guests fees are only $30. Annual memberships start at $300 and the most expensive (non-retired veterans) are the most expensive at $1200 per year. You can rent a riding cart for an unbelievably low $15/round per person (or $18 for an individual golfer) and you can reserve a tee time. There are various groups, of course, including 18-hole and 9-hole ladies groups.

The Courses at Fort Meade are located within a half hour of many communities in Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Howard Counties including Bowie, Columbia, Crofton, Crownsville, Ellicott City, Gambrills, Laurel, Millersville, and Odenton.

If you live in one of these communities, why not consider The Courses at Fort George G. Meade the next time you're thinking about trying someplace new.

SUMMER SPECIALS:

Wednesday - 18 holes for $25, including cart
Saturday and Sunday - 18 holes anytime after 1400 for $25, including cart
Monday-Thursday - Applewood nine anytime after 1400 for $15, including cart

RELATED POSTS:

Andrews AFB Has HOW MANY Golf Courses?

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:22:02 -0500

Count them... 1... 2... 3 golf courses ON BASE, plus many more nearby. If you have orders to Andrews, you will enjoy proximity to all the culture, arts, history and recreation of Washington, D.C. and Annapolis - but, if you're a golfer, military relocation to Andrews can be summed up with one small word, FORE!

Andrews AFB South Course- The 18-hole "South" course at the Andrews AFB Golf Course facility in Andrews AFB, Maryland features 6,748 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 71.1 and it has a slope rating of 128 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Brian T. Ault, ASGCA, the South golf course opened in 1998. U.S. Air Force Services Agency manages this facility, with Michael Thomas as the General Manager.

Andrews AFB West Course- The 18-hole "West" course at the Andrews AFB Golf Course facility in Andrews AFB, Maryland features 6,397 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 70.5 and it has a slope rating of 120 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Frank Murray/Russell Roberts, the West golf course opened in 1961. U.S. Air Force Services Agency manages this facility, with Michael Thomas as the General Manager.

Andrews AFB East Course- The 18-hole "East" course at the Andrews AFB Golf Course facility in Andrews Afb, Maryland features 6,780 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Frank Murray/Russell Roberts, the East golf course opened in 1956. U.S. Air Force Services Agency manages this facility, with Michael Thomas as the General Manager.

Source: GolfLink

If you're a golfer or a golfer wanna-be, you'll find plenty of options for playing beyond the gates of Andrews, as well. In addition to the three courses on base, you'll want to check out these nearby golf courses:

While the Andrews Air Force Base golf courses are part of the Base Recreation Program, they are managed and maintained in a relaxed "country club" atmosphere with a pro shop, cafeteria, lounge and practice facilities.

The golf courses are normally open for play seven days a week, from 0730 until dusk, Monday through Friday, and 0630 until dusk on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. All seasonal changes in the operational hours are posted throughout the clubhouse and on the website.

There's more to golf in this area than these local courses, however. There is the new Tiger Woods Foundation and his AT&T National, a PGA Tour event played at Congressional Country Club. If you're in the area this summer, you'll be able to walk with the pros July 2-6.