By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

As spring approaches, the Ocean Pines golf community is gearing up for its season kickoff event to welcome the warmer, golf-playing months.

The 2025 Ocean Pines Opening Day Scramble is set for Saturday, April 5 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The community’s Men’s Golf Association and the Ladies’ Golf Association have teamed up to host the event.

“The scramble symbolizes the kickoff of our season,” organizer Dave McGregor said. “After this event, then all the other events kick in.”

The tournament follows a four-person team format. As per a scramble, the best shot of all team members will be used toward that final score for each hole.

Women will tee off from the Charcoal (formerly red) tees and men will tee off from the Orange (formerly gold) tees. Anyone over 80 may choose to take their swing from the Charcoal tees as well.

“Whoever hits the best shot, we pick up, go to that person’s ball, and then you keep doing that until the ball goes to the hole and then you move on to the next hole,” McGregor noted.

To add intrigue to the game, the Ocean Pines tournament dictates that each player’s drive must be used at least once. Additionally, all levels of play are welcome.

McGregor added that this allows those that are typically unable to play in these kinds of events together an outlet to join forces.

“One of the ladies has two young daughters, aged 10 and 12, that play in the tournament,” McGregor said. “Their family of four comprises a team and it’s one of the only events that they as a family can play together because most are for either higher caliber players, or just for men, or just for ladies. While we have a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old playing, we also have an 87-year-old playing. It’s from all walks of life.”

Awards for the Best Overall, Best All-Women Team, and Best Mixed-Gender Team are to be recognized.

McGregor said that prizes are likely to include pro shop gift cards and ceramic mugs that read “Ocean Pines Golf” handmade by the wife of a golfer.

A buffet-style lunch at the Clubhouse Bar and Grille will follow the tournament. A cash bar will also be available.

As the transition date for Touch of Italy, the community’s new food and beverage vendor taking over for Matt Ortt Companies, was moved from early May to mid-March, the scramble will be one of the earliest catering events to be hosted by the business.

Golfers interested in entering the tournament have until March 21 to register. An Ocean Pines Golf member with a cart package is $40, Ocean Pines Golf members without cart packages are $55, and all others must pay $70. Lunch for nonplayers is $30. Payment must be submitted along with an entry form.

McGregor said that as of Monday, March 17, 98 golfers had registered out of a maximum of 120.

“The event is a good time to get together with old friends, meet new friends and come out and play,” McGregor said. “A lot of us haven’t seen each other over the winter, so it’s really the first time getting out on the course and having fun.”