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Spring in Maryland (Horses, Courses, and Natural Resources,) Part II

COURSES -- Spring is also when golf season in Maryland resumes in earnest. One of the most famous courses in the state will be getting international attention this year when the US Open takes place at the Congressional Country Club.

But you don’t need to be on the PGA circuit to enjoy a good round of golf in Maryland.  If you check our data base, you’ll find facilities throughout the state, along with websites and other contact information.

Many of the courses are located at resorts and conference centers where they can be a part of a weekend getaway, convention, or business trip. Maryland’s many military posts also have courses available to armed service personnel.

Maryland has hosted other memorable tournaments at top flight courses over the years. The Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship was held at the Baltimore Country Club. The Women’s LPGA was in Bulle Rock in Harford County.

But golf is not the only sport with active courses in the spring. The motor sports parks of Maryland begin their seasons in the spring. Every weekend, from Western Maryland to St. Mary’s County and over to the Eastern Shore, you can find a race series going on.

For links to these courses, check our data base.

One venue that hosts a number of national and televised events is Maryland International Raceway in the Budds Creek triangle of St. Mary’s County. MIR will be part of the Muscle Car Nationals in early June.

Of course, staging one of the quirkiest contests on the national motorsports circuit is the National Lawn Mower Racing Association, who held their 17th anniversary race on April 1st at Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek. Lawn mower racers compete for bragging rights, glory, and a garden gnome trophy.

Established on April 1, 1992, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association is the nation’s oldest and largest national lawn mower racing sanctioning body. Its 21-race STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series and network of 50 Local Clubs hosts more than 140 sanctioned races in 37 states.

The Mow Down Show Down was actually a weekend of fun family activities and races for all ages.  And because Fox Sports Network was taping, you still have a chance to see it.

So we've done horses and courses as spring suggestions.  Next we'll look at what's happening this spring in Maryland's beautiful parks, rivers, and bay -- our natural resources.

Maryland in the Winner's Circle

Nearly 165,000 attended the Kentucky Derby yesterday.  It was a record crowd for a thrilling horse race on a beautiful day.  And when the chestnut colt trotted to the Winner's Circle for his blanket of roses, there were cheers all around the State of Maryland.  For although Animal Kingdom was born and bred elsewhere, he has spent his career living and training at Fair Hill.

His trainer, Graham Motion, is a native of Great Britain, but earned his reputation over twenty years of training in Laurel, Bowie and Fair Hill.  Just last November, he saddled Shared Account, the two year old filly who won the Breeders Cup turf event for Sagamore Farm in Glyndon.

The Maryland connection is a major boost for interest in the Preakness Stakes, and in the greater Maryland horse industry.  Part of the romance and great passion for thoroughbred horse racing comes from the compelling stories that surround the athletes (those with hooves and those wearing silks) and their teams. 

Animal Kingdom, an understudy who had never run a dirt track, stepped up when stablemate and favorite Toby's Corner turned lame.  Even AK's jockey had some bad luck, breaking a nose when tossed in an earlier race.  But despite the handicaps, Animal Kingdom won an astonishing race on unfamiliar footing with a pinch-hitting rider.

Terry had the opportunity to chat with Toby's Corner when he and the Merry Marketeers visited Fair Hill a few weeks ago.  Toby was in fine form at the time, and sent Terry a positive vibe about his chances in Derby.

Unfortunately, he didn't mention anything about his gimpy gam or put in a word for the redhead in the next stall, so Terry missed the chance to hit on the 20-1 shot when Toby was scratched.

But we'll all get another chance to do so in two weeks.  Increased interest in the Derby and renewed interest in the Maryland industry will hopefully spike attendance at Pimlico.  In the meantime, congratulations to Animal Kingdom, Graham Motion and Fair Hill for keeping Maryland's name out there.

Oh My Mudder!

On this typical stormy spring day in Maryland, OSM took a trip to Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Cecil County for a site visit.  The folks at Tough Mudder have been looking for potential sites in our area to host one of their events in early 2012.  Tough Mudder is thought of as one of the toughest endurance competitions on the planet.  Its 10-12 mile obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. After communicating with them for a few weeks, we were able to narrow down the search and set-up some visits.

Today's adventure was to the explore the possibilities of Fair Hill.  Fair Hill is known for its equestrian events, such as steeplechase, timber course and flat races, and extensive, unspoiled grounds.  Tough Mudder asked us to recommend sites that had over 400 acres in our area, and with Fair Hill’s 5,000+ acreage, we knew it would be a good fit, never mind swallow the event whole.

OSM Invades Greensboro...for the NASC Symposium

The Office of Sports Marketing recently made the trek down to Greensboro, NC, for the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Sports Events Symposium.  The event ran from Monday, April 11 through Thursday, April 14. Terry and Ashley kept themselves busy attending education sessions and meeting with multiple rights holders.  They even came back to Maryland with several request for proposals (RFPs) in hand.

OSM had positive meetings with right holders like USA Cycling, U.S. Transplant Games, National Senior Games Association, USA Field Hockey and the Women’s Half Marathon, to name a few.  Meeting with rights holders, like the ones listed, is a key component for bringing in new sporting events to the state and generating economic dollars.

Preakness Preparations on Track at Pimlico

The 136^th Preakness Stakes is a little over a month away, and Pimlico Race Course is getting ready to host the middle jewel in the Triple Crown.  Corporate tents have already begun sprouting up in the infield, and grounds crews have been working to make the infield finish line floral logos stand out by planting beautiful new flowers.  Racing has been underway at the track for nearly a month now, with various stakes races already held.  Over the past few weekends, three stakes races have been held: Shine Again Stakes on April 2, Mister Diz Stakes on April 9 and Primonetta Stakes on April 16.

The first 2-year-old race of the year in Maryland was held at Pimlico this past Friday.  Bluegrass Atatude took the top spot in the first juvenile race of the season. The chestnut filly was racing sixth, eventually pulling ahead and winning by two lengths. By chance, OSM was lucky enough to witness this race live.

Baltimore to Rock the Red in September

The Washington Capitals and the City of Baltimore announced the team will play an exhibition game against the Nashville Predators on September 20, 2011, at the First Mariner Arena. The game, which is being referred to as the Baltimore Hockey Classic, will be the first professional hockey game at the arena since the Baltimore Bandits last took the ice in 1997.

The much anticipated announcement was officially made on Monday by Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee and First Mariner Arena General Manager Frank Remesch joined Young in making the announcement.