Silver Creek CC, Bethelem, PA

[PAW13]

Played Silver Creek yesterday in the Philadelphia Assistants Organization Event and have played it a couple of times before.  Played all 27 holes, and enjoy the lower 18, but the "hill 9" takes a lot of getting used to.  The Poa was in full force on that nine and it made for some interesting putting (I missed the hole completly from 7 inches on the short par 3 5th).

I saw a picture of Donald Ross hanging in the club house so I assume he designed it.  Did he do all 27 holes?  Another player commented that he did not think that the greens were Ross Greens.

Just looking for some validation on this.

[Adam_Messix]

Ross designed the "Hill 9" and Holes 1-3 and 13-18 on the regular course.  Basically, the holes on the clubhouse side of the road are Ross and the ones across the road were designed by the Gordons.  

I'm not surprised about the poa issues there, the one time I played the course was about this time of year and the greens were a bit on the bumpy side.  It sounds to me like you are not a big fan of the "Hill 9."  It wasn't until circa 1996 that there was even irrigation up there.  It is a nine holes that uses the severe contours of the land very well though.  I think it Holes 3, 4, and 6 are pretty tough and five is quite penal given that if you miss that green by any margin, you're making double or worse.  My guess is that those greens are original, because they are pretty severe.  

The Ross holes down in the valley are solid, but not altogether memorable.  There was one green, I think it's 17, that's pretty good with a nice upper left shelf similar to #10 at Aronimink.  I would describe the holes across the road as "Saucon Valley lite", solid golf holes but not very memorable.

[JSlonis]

Chester,

A Philly Assistant's Event?  Did you finally turn PRO?  

[PAW13]

Jamie

No, I did not turn pro and if I did with the way I am playing I would starve to death!!!  It was the Pro-Pro-Rep event and I was not a good Rep partner.

Nice win against Huntsville, good luck on Saturday.  At least PCC did not go 0 & 3.

Adam

I can't say I am a big fan of the Hill 9 and I am suprised to hear Ross designed it.  A few guys said they thought Gordon did the golf course, so that would explain the holes across the road.  If Ross did number 1-3 and 13-18 what hole was played after number 3 (1 st hole across the road) or did he design 1-2, & 12-18 (all the hole on the clubhouse side of the road)?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

"The original 18 holes at Silver Creek were designed by Donald Ross in 1947. Silver Creek was one of the last courses designed by Donald Ross and was the last course that he visited prior to his death in 1948."

www.silvercreekcountryclub.com

[Adam_Messix]

PAW--

It's been nine years since I've been there, so I may be mistaken on whether it was two and then cross the road or three.  But the holes on the clubhouse side of the road are Ross, the nine across the road is the Gordons'.  

The Hill Nine is not everyone's cup of tea, it's on some pretty hilly terrain.  There are people that I know in the Philadelphia area (non GCA participants) that rave about it.  I like it because it's unique in the severity of the terrain and the severe penalty for a mistake.  The closest comparison that I can make to it is (conditioning aside) Highlands Country Club, a course that is on comparable terrain and has a similar bunkering pattern, but is not as penal if you miss.