GREAT GOLF’s 30th year edition features many of the area’s top courses, both daily fee and private It will give you a preview of some course you may want to play this year, including private Philmont, Town & Country Golf Links in NJ, The Rookery in DE and Neshaminy Valley in Bucks County
STAY & PLAY
Thinking of going on a golf vacation this year but your budget is tight, don’t sweat it Montgomery county PA and MONTCO GOLF, offer over 50 courses, 80+ hotels, lots of great food and entertainment And check out Mountain Valley in Schuylkill County, a real stay & play gem.
HOLES-IN-ONE
One thing that shows me how much better golfers are playing is the number of “aces” being reported to our GREAT GOLF hot line I wish I could have shown all of them to you, including a few that made a hole-in-one on par 4’s Maybe we’ll report yours next issue P. 24
TArchitect: Edward Beidel
Superintendent: John Welsh
Par: 72 Yardage: 6,702
Rating: 72 2 Slope: 123 303 W.
his championship 18 hole course is a good test for golfers of all skill levels, with 9 water hazards and mature trees throughout the course. Turtle Creek hosts top tournaments including this year’s PPGA BetterBall Championship Superintendent John Welsh, a Penn State grad, maintains this public course with top notch conditions, earning TCGC 4 1⁄2 stars from Golf Digest Places to Play Our new outdoor timber and stone pavilion can host 15-150 for your outing, wedding or charity event Our new BYOC policy - Bring your own Caterer - gives you more freedom and choice to make your own event great! Turtle Creek Golf Course is the only course in the area that has stall and grass tee driving ranges available for TCGC players. Course dog Nittany is standing by to welcome you!
The Publisher ’ s Blog
Ex c i t e m e n t r e i g n s s u p r e m e t h i s M a y, a s
t h e P G A T O U R r e t u r n s t o t h e D e l a w a r e
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Montco Golf
t a y a n d P l a y
With over 50 public and private golf courses, luxurious amenities, and onsite dining, Montgomery County, PA is the perfect year-round destination for a memorable golf getaway.
More than 20 of Montco’s golf courses are open to the public and accommodate golfers of all skill levels and budgets. Visit Macoby Run Golf Course in Green Lane to play 18 holes while taking in stunning views of lush forests and meadows, or enjoy the country club experience at Raven’s Claw Golf Club in Pottstown. More advanced golfers can put their skills to the test through the challenging courses at Westover Golf Club in Norristown.
You’ll also find private golf courses offering an impressive array of amenities. Golf in style at the elegant Philadelphia Country Club, which dates back to 1890 and is one of the oldest courses in the country. Or enjoy a golf outing with the whole family at the Blue Bell Country Club, a premiere family-friendly country club with an 18-hole course designed by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer himself, an on-site restaurant, and elegant event spaces.
Most of Montgomery County’s golf courses are just a short drive from some of areas top attractions, restaurants, and shopping destinations.
If you are in the Blue Bell area, check out the Blue Bell Inn, which boasts one of the best brunches in the region. If you are playing near King of Prussia, head over to the King of Prussia Mall for some shopping or visit the King of Prussia Town Center, where you’ll have your pick of just about any cuisine you could desire. Feeling lucky? Stay, play, and dine at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. Or spend some more time outdoors visiting Valley Forge National Historical Park or the John James Audubon Center. And don’t forget to visit one of the local breweries for a good beer and bite to eat!
For more help planning your golf trip, visit montcogolf.com for some curated golf itineraries and to sign up for the quarterly Montco Golf newsletter.
andis Creek Golf Club is your stop in the region for great golf and outings This open to the public course features competitive rates, the Creekside Sports Bar for after your round, and the Loft at Landis Creek banquet facility for all your banquet needs The course is consistently undergoing improvements as well. The property is great for outings and/or leagues, boasting an outdoor patio and patio bar that is open daily Contact us today to book your tee time or to schedule your outing!
l
l
John L. DiMarzio Friend of Junior Golf
L1391 E Cayuga St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 743-4060
ocated just minutes north of center city Philadelphia, Juniata Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course designed by renowned golf architect, Ed Ault. Presently managed by the non-profit corporation, Juniata Golf Foundation, this classic course is considered a hidden treasure by many locals and offers a wide array of unique and challenging holes Completed in 1930, Juniata Golf Club was designed to take advantage of its naturally-rolling terrain. Adding to the challenge is Frankford Creek that makes its presence known on a total of six holes
l Outstanding Course Conditions
l P
l Banquet Facilities for all Occasions
l
F162 Ridge Road Phoenixville, PA 19460 (610) 933-8836
or over 50 years, Kimberton Golf Club has welcomed golfers from all around the region, for a friendly round of golf, for local outings and as a great test for top notch tournaments Opened in 1962, Kimberton was designed by renowned golf course architect George Fazio. This off season, we have worked hard to bring about some great changes to the facility, both outside on the course itself, as well as inside, with our brand new sports bar and restaurant. Our goal is to preserve the integrity and great history of this famed design Come check us out this spring to see what the buzz is all about
By Mike Rose
Seventeen years ago, I started coaching golf at Penn State University’s Abington campus. It wasn’t a big time program, we played mostly community colleges and other Penn State campus teams. But coaching was something I always wanted to do, and thought that my many years of playing and competing at a high level might be helpful in teaching the kids the game and learning the lessons in life that golf offers. So I wrote down “Rose’s Rules of Golf” in that effort. Now 17 years later and with today’s improved technology, here’s the updated revision, in hopes that it will help you more than it did for my team.
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
The Mental Game
Nicklaus, Hogan, Floyd, all the greats will tell you that golf is 75-90% mental, so work on that part of the game too. Start with pre-hot routine. Get your yardage, check the wind, make sure your alignment is correct, visualize the shot and pick the right club. It’s not where the good shots go,it’s where your misses end up. Minimize your mistakes. My Mom always told me to tee up on the side of trouble and hit away from it. Good advice.
I find that practice swings are overrated. A perfect practice swing is a waste, and I hate it when players take a big divot Just take one easy swing, then set up, relax and go. And don’t over think. As my friend, and 2-time Philly AM champ Mike Tash always tells me, “if you’re thinkin, you’re stinkin.”
AROUND THE GREEN
Miss the green, don’t always grab your sand wedge It’s the right club when there’s not much green or if you need to fly it to the pin. But if you’ve got plenty of green to work with, drop down to your PW or lower trajectory club. Get the ball on the green as soon as possible and get it rolling like a putt. That way you might just hole it from time to time. And hybrids are a good choice too if you’re on the fairway on closely mowed areas.
PUTTING
Books have been written on putting, but here’s just a few key observations. Slow greens, play less break, hit it firm, the ball shouldn’t go too far by. 9 out of 10 balls that are short do not go in (still trying to figure out what that 10th putt does). Fast greens, play more brake, visualize the ball falling in the cup on the high lip. That will keep the 3-putts to a minimum.
DAMAGE CONTROL
Lower your scores by playing smart, avoid the big number, make bogey your
friend. When in trouble, get the ball back into play. If you’re in the trees, don’t always go low, look up to see if there’s some space, it’s the 90% air theory. When laying up, LAY UP, don’t try to get the ball too close to the trouble. When playing safe, PLAY SAFE! This is not the time to be aggressive, make that bogey and move on
GEMS OF WISDOM
These Gems of Wisdom which should save you shots, aggravation, and make the game more fun for you and your companions.
1 Golf is great as exercise and competition. It’s also good for business. Get to know your fellow players. You learn a lot about people, the good and the bad, when you play with them on the golf course. It’s called networking and golf ’s the best at that.
1 Keep up your pace of play Help others look for balls, be ready when it’s your turn or play ready golf, whoever ’s ready, hit it and go, and putt out whenever possible. Remember, you’re not playing in the US Open.
1 Know the Rules of Golf or keep a copy of the book in your bag. ALWAYS carry an extra ball with you. When in doubt of a lost ball or Out of Bounds, hit a provisional ball(stroke play only) It doesn’t take much time to hit a provisional, doesn’t cost you anything and it’s much better than walking back to the tee to reload (I just hate that!)
1 When playing WINTER RULES (preferred lies), make sure to give yourself the best possible lie. The rules are there to help you, take full advantage when you can, i.e. Ground Under Repair, cart paths, etc. You can bet your competitors will.
1 Never stand in front or to the right of anyone, I don’t care how good a golfer they may be. Even the best players can hit the dreaded “unmentionable”. Keep your eyes open at all times.
1 Sounds simple, but always use a tee on the teeing ground. The pros do. (This rule can be disregarded if you are Lee Trevino or you’ve won a major).
1 Golf etiquette – simple things for a better day for all. Be quiet and stay still when players are hitting. Know your yardage and wind direction when it’s your turn to play, so you can pick a club and hit the shot. Putt out whenever possible. 3 ½ hours is your targeted time for 18 holes. Enter the sand trap from the low side, and rake the trap on your way out Fix ball marks and replace divots or put down seed
ROSE’S RULE FOR TURNING PRO
With the vast amount of money being played for on the tour and the allure of the fame that can be achieved on TV and in the media, too many young golfers are turning pro these days. If you’re thinking about making that decision, you better be shooting well below par on your own course and winning every tournament you play, preferably on a national level. But more important, you better to be able to beat Mike Rose at least 9 times out of 10 before you even think about it
In closing, feel free to disregard any of the above, as this writer does frequently. I’m aggressive whenever possible, hardly ever chip out, I just hate that. I go for the great shot whenever I can It may not always work but it always makes for a better story in the grille room’s post game conversation. Ugly golf gets results, it’s worked for me Give luck a chance It’s called “The Rose Factor” Try it
HOLE-IN-ONE REPORT
Be sure to report your Hole-in-One
to: rosefactor@aol com
We’re Building Game Changers.
WE BELIEVE all kids deserve to feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes at them next. At First Tee, we do this by helping them develop their swing, but more importantly, their inner strength; with coaches who help them navigate the course as well as guide them through new challenges. Because we know what’s inside doesn’t just count; it changes the game.
are proud to operate Walnut Lane and John F. Byrne Golf Clubs, providing a welcoming and accessible environment for our participants and the public
New Jersey
Course Dir
PENNSYLVANIA
County Pg
Arrowhead GC P Douglassville 610-582-4258
Berkleigh CC P Kutztown 610-683-8268
Golden Oaks GC P Fleetwood 610-944-6000
Manor Golf Club P Sinking Spring 610-678-9597 Lehigh County
Reading CC P Reading 610-779-1000
Bucks County
Bensalem CC P Bensalem 215-639-5556
The Bucks Club P Jamison 215-343-0350
Fairways Golf Club P Warrington 215-343-9979 12
Fox Hollow GC P Quakertown 215-538-1920
Heritage Creek R Jamison 215-674-8283
Valley GC P
Makefield Highlands P Yardley 215-321-7000 13 Bella Vista GC P
Middletown
Warminster 5 Ponds R Warminster 215-956-9727 14
Yardley CC PR Yardley 215-493-4531
Broad Run Golfer’s Club P West Chester 610-738-4410
Downingtown CC P Downingtown 610-260-2000
Hartefeld National
Ingleside GC M Thorndale 610-384-9128
Inniscrone GC P Avondale 484-720-8442
Kimberton GC P Kimberton 610-933-8836 21
Moccasin Run GC P Atglen 610-593-2600
Pickering Valley GC P Phoenixville 610-933-2223
Spring Hollow P Spring City 610-948-5566
Wyncote P Oxford 610-932-8900
Delaware County
Paxon Hollow GC P Broomall 610-353-0220
Four Seasons GC P Landisville 717-898-0104
Foxchase GC P Stevens 717-336-3673
Hawk Valley GC P Denver 717-445-5445
Pilgrim’s Oak GC P Peach Bottom 717-548-3011
Tanglewood Manor P Quarryville 717-786-2500
Willow Valley GC P Lancaster 717-464-4448
610-584-4226
610-539-4502
Northampton County
610-923-8480
Philadelphia County
John F. Byrne GC P Philadelphia 215-632-8666
Juniata GC P Philadelphia 215-743-4060 21
Walnut Lane GC P Philadelphia 215-482-3370
Poconos Mountains
Blue Ridge Trail GC P Mountain Top 570-868-4653
Buck Hill Falls GC SP Buck Hill Falls 570-595-7730
Cherry Valley P Stroudsburg 570-421-1350
CC of the Poconos SP Marshalls Creek 570-223-1200
Fernwood Hotel R Bushkill 888-337-6966
Great Bear GC SP E Stroudsberg 570-223-2000
Hideaway Hills P Kresgeville 610-681-6000
Jack Frost Nat’l P Blakeslee 866-268-5503
Mt Airy Resort R Mount Pocono 570-839-8811
Mount Pocono GC P Mount Pocono 570-839-8281
Mountain Manor SP Marshalls Creek 570-223-1290
Pine Crest Lake SP Pocono Pines 877-486-7844
Atlantic City Area & S. Jersey Counties (con’t)
Burlington County
609-758-8301
Inn at Pocono Manor R Pocono Manor 800-233-8150 Pennsauken
Skytop Lodge R Skytop 570-595-8910 River Winds
Shawnee Inn R Shawnee on Del 570-424-4000
Water Gap CC P Del Water Gap 570-476-0300
Woodloch Springs R Hawley 570-685-8102
Schuylkill County
Mountain Valley GC P Barnesville 570-467-2242 15
Briarwood GC SP York 717-792-9776
Cool Creek GC P Wrightsville 717-292-3691
Heritage Hills Golf Resort R York 717-755-4653
Honey Run G & CC P York 717-792-9771
Pleasant Valley GC P Stewartstown 717-993-2184
Regents Glen GC P York 717-505-4653
Royal Manchester P Mt Wolf 717-268-0490
South Hills GC P Hanover 717-637-4358
Springfield GC P York 717-747-9663
New Jersey
Atlantic City CC P Northfield 609-236-4415
Avalon GC SP Cape May Crt Hse 856-465-4389
Ballamor GC SP Egg Harbor Twp 609-601-2220
Blue Heron Pines SP Galloway 609-965-4653
Links at Brigantine P Brigantine 609-266-1388
Buena Vista CC P Buena Vista 856-697-3733
Cape May National SP Cape May 856-884-1563
Greate Bay SP Somers Point 609-927-0066
Hamilton Trails P McKee City 609-641-6824
Heritage Links P Ocean View 609-390-4500 17
Hidden Creek PR Egg Harbor Tsp 609-909-2990
Harbor Pines GC SP Egg Harbor Tsp 609-927-0006
Laguna Oaks GC P Cape May 609-465-4560
Mays Landing P Mays Landing 609-641-4411
McCullough’s P Egg Harbor Tsp. 609-926-3900
Pinelands GC P Hammonton 609-561-8900
Pomona GC SP Pomona 856-965-3232
Renault Winery R Egg Harbor Tsp 906-965-2111
609-465-3555
Camden County
856-227-1115
856-435-3355
856-662-4961
Cumberland County
County
Mercer County
Ocean County
PENNSYLVANIA
Atlantis C Little Egg Harbor 609-296-2444 Play-A-Round Golf Ardmore 610-228-2814
Eagle Ridge GC P Lakewood 732-901-4900 Fairways and Dreams Conshohocken 610-234-6739
Ocean Acres P Manahawkin 609-597-9393 Tee’s Golf Center Conshohocken 610-834-3030
LBI National Resort SP Little Egg Harbor 609-857-5656 Indoor Golf Club Ft Washington 267-800-4826 25 Salem County Golf zone Honeybrook 610-942-9494 Lower State Road Horsham 215-643-9214
Centerton GC P Elmer 856-358-2220 Skramble House Golf Horsham 215-394-8496
Holly Hills P Alloway 856-935-2412 Skramble House Golf King of Prussia 585-506-8804
