Baltimore County residents might notice heavier traffic than usual or experience tie-ups for the duration of two professional golf tournaments at area clubs this week and next.
The Greater Baltimore Classic at Hayfields Country Club could hamper traffic in Hunt Valley today through Sunday. The 23rd Senior Open may cause traffic difficulties for commuters in the neighborhood surrounding Caves Valley Golf Club beginning Monday for a week.
"Baltimore County and the state police have worked on this before," said Ray Daue, executive director of the Greater Baltimore Classic. "Because of the club's location near [Interstate] 83, the tournament will not cause a traffic problem."
Forty county police officers will be assigned to direct traffic for the Greater Baltimore Classic, Daue said. Free buses will take spectators from parking lots at Oregon Ridge Park off Beaver Dam Road to Hayfields, which is along Shawan Road. Daue said traffic will be heaviest during early morning and late afternoon, when spectators are arriving and leaving.
Last year's tournament at Hayfields Country Club, then called the State Farm Senior Classic, drew larger crowds than the tournament did when it was held at Hobbit's Glen Golf Club in Columbia.
The Senior Open at Caves Valley Golf Club will likely see a flood of fans wanting to watch golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Rural stretches of road through Worthington Valley could clog as spectators flock to the par-71 course between Park Heights and Greenspring avenues.
"We began planning our transportation system over 18 months ago in conjunction with state and county officials," said Lee Bowman, director of operations for Pinehurst Championship Management, which is coordinating logistics at Caves Valley.
According to the official traffic plan, the general parking area will be at Tufton and Worthington avenues. Buses will take spectators to the golf course continuously from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tournament officials urge daily commuters using Tufton, Worthington and Greenspring avenues to find alternate routes to avoid congestion. In addition, Park Heights Avenue will be open only to ticket-holders between Caves Valley and Walnut roads.
Parking areas adjacent to the course are reserved solely for contestants, officials and media.