By Greg Ellison

(Sept. 17, 2020) Recently resigned OPA Golf Committee charter member Olga Novy clarified this week that her decision to step down was not because of ground conditions at the Ocean Pines Golf Course.

“The golf course is in terrible condition. However, this happens historically every summer,” she said. “It is a matter of opinion if this year is any worse than previous years.”

Novy said she joined the committee when it was reconstituted just over three years ago in hopes of having a positive impact on golf operations.

“When it became evident that I couldn’t, I came to the conclusion I was wasting my time,” she said. “Mr. Perrone and the board have my reasons for resigning. What they choose to do with that information is up to them.”

Judging by user feedback left this month on the website golfnow.com, course conditions are ranking far below par.

Of the dozen reviews left online to this point in September, seven were one star, with three other golfers rating the course two stars, while the remaining pair were only slightly better at three stars.

Three quarters of the reviews were from regulars, with five players visiting a few times per week and four others once a week.

One reviewer described conditions as deplorable, with dead spots and weeds abounding.

“About 10-15 years ago, the place was pretty good,” the reviewer wrote. “Find the greens keeper who knew how to maintain the place, hire them back at whatever it takes and fix this mess.”

Another review was titled “Don’t Play Here” and suggested the course be shuttered for the season.

“Fairway lies played like first cut rough,” the review said.

Another player who visits weekly wrote earlier this month promising to curtail the tradition.

“The worse course I have ever played [and] I will never come back,” the reviewer said.

Another subpar review noted a proliferation of crab grass on the tees and fairways.

“There are bare spots on some greens where you cannot find 15 feet of puttable surface,” the review stated.

One review claimed, “Fairways on nearby courses roll better than these greens.”

While another player pledged to forgo the course altogether despite living nearby.

“I’ve played public golf courses in much better condition,” the review said. “I won’t go back and I have a house in Ocean Pines.”

Former OPA Golf Committee Chair Larry Davies, who resigned along with Novy, said significant improvements are required for golf operations.

“Those who want can ‘spin’ the facts any way they want or continue to put their heads in a hole and pretend everything is fine,” he said. “The fact remains that the [course] condition is subpar and that a bottom to top evaluation for all aspects of managing and operating this amenity is needed.”

Davies also questioned the wisdom of the proposed use of wastewater for course irrigation, noting the repurposed fluids contain elevated saline content and suspended solids.

“We can’t keep our course in good condition with freshwater,” he said. “Managing and controlling the use of wastewater on a golf course requires the correct soil/turf and an expertise that our OPGC staff does not have. Every resident should be laser focused on stopping this initiative”