King Rail Reserve Golf Course

This is a pretty nice wild 9 holes and a real challenge. In fact, I probably had the worst round of my life here. It plays pretty quickly despite its length and has a nice variety of challenges. Unfortunately there are some drawbacks that can’t be ignored. When I went it was clear that the course’s drainage was not up to par. Also, the greens were murder. They were cut extremely short and were all half dead as a result. For the most part, it was like putting on concrete. Would I go back to King Rail? Probably, if I could convince myself on a particular day that the beauty and nature outweigh the treacherous course design and conditions.

This is probably the prettiest, and most evil public 9-​hole course I’ve ever played on. But you won’t get to play it. Allow me to digress!
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I like trying out different 9 hole courses. I’m a terrible golfer, but that don’t stop me from trying. I looked online for places and came across this one. It sounded interesting.
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This golf course used to be a big old classic 18 hole course. This was some years ago. They made a deal to sell some of their land for fancy houses, as well as set aside some of the nearby wetlands as a reserve to the «King Rail» bird for which this place is named. This place is right off 95 — literally right off the exit is the opening for this place. As you drive down their entryway, you’ll pass by a giant old abandoned building on your left, along with a giant abandonded parking lot. Where am I? But then you pull to the right and over there you’ll see the old pro shop, as well as an open driving range. I got ready and checked in — $ 21 for 9 holes, walking. About average for this area. Still a lot, if you ask me!
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Let’s get to it. I had the worst round of my life here, but I can’t hold it against this place. It’s beautiful. Sure, at the first tee, I heard the construction of the machines at the opening of the place, along with the higway, but after the first hole, that noise fades. The course sits right along this protected marsh area for the King Rail bird I mentioned earlier. They are like mosquitos here! They buzz about — beautiful things! it makes for a really nice time outside — even if your game is terrible as mine. I said this place was evil: and that’s because if you are even just a LITTLE off your game — forget it. Water. Brambles. Marsh. You’re going to lose a ball or 2 or three playing here for sure. Challening and maddening at the same time. I lost a ball in these brambles — it was 6 feet in — and I could clearly see the ball — laughing at me — but I simply could not get to it. It was like it was in a mess of barbed wire! Ugh!
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For the most part, the course was in excellent shape for a public 9 hole course. BUT — I did encounter one absolutely terrible green — and a few very wet marshy spots (nearly lost a ball in them). BUT — as far as 9 hole public course go, I really did like it.
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Now, I mentioned that you won’t get to play this place. That’s because they’re closing down in June of this year (2010) and will reopen in 2 years. Big plans to re-​make this place. And, it needs it. The ancient clubhouse and parking lot I passed on the way in are a depressing eyesore. The proshop itself needs some TLC. They aren’t too sure what’s going on here — ie: they ordered a grill and were going to make a kitchen and sell food but it never got off the ground.
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The course is beautiful and treacherous at the same time! I imagine in 2 years after the complete overhaul, this place will be glorious.