Kyle:
Please -- c'mon, let's get serious OK.
My thinking on the subject of Penny public golf is not stereotyped -- it's based on my playing such a sheer array of courses stretching frm west to east to north to south in the Keystone State for well over 40 years.
You name how many courses -- a total of three -- and then shout from the roof tops I'm so misplaced on my initial thoughts.
Yes, I've played Reading County Club and it's a decent course but to somehow think it elevates itself to something of national consideration is way beyond a big time stretch. Even on a state level Reading is fairly ordinary even though it's now exclusively public.
Paxon Hollow is a quaint and sporty course to play. But, to somehow think it rises to the level of being in the same league with Morgan Hill and Lderach is beyond a reach on your part. I played it a few years back and it's OK for what it provides but to somehow think it is noteworthy on a state wide level is again a stretch. I don't doubt you and maybe others really like it. That's great -- but let's place that enthusiasm in some sort of context shall we?
I've not played Jeffersonville and will try to play it before the year concludes. However, even if the course is as good as you believe the issue is one of overall depth throughout the state. Be curious to know why Jeffersonville has not been rated among the top public courses in the state by Golfweek -- to name just one definitive source that doesn't equate difficulty or length as a prime design criteria.
That is the point you're missing. Pennsy golf has been and continues to be one of the USA"s best states for PRIVATE GOLF. Moran, more than any other architect I have seen, has tried to include designs for the public realm that are not formulaic and at the same time provide the kind of missing challenge and fun that for years has been only seen with the private side of the aisle. Morgan Hill and Lederach as a combo are certainly taking Pennsy public golf to a whole different level of respect and notice.
Kyle, my "substance" has come from over 40 years in playing golf in the Keystone State -- from the dreadful layouts that mostly occupy the Poconos to those which are mainly farmlands converted into non-descript public layouts. Progress has been extremely slow in coming and as I said from the get-go those with the money and connections made sure they had private golf to rival any courses anywhere. You can see that with the likes of Merion / East, Oakmont, Lancaster, Fox Chapel, etc, etc, etc.
The conclusions I reached are there for those willing to admit the past and see what the present is about now. There has been improvements but that improvement has only started within the time frame I mentioned in this thread's title.
We will likely agree to disagree -- so be it.
Bob / Joe:
If you believe Glen Mills is better from a strictly architectural standpoint then so be it. Lederach by Moran has it beat in so many ways IMHO.
Heck, I thought either of you would have mentioned Wyncote before Glen Mills.