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Steve_ Shaffer

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The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear


My wife and I recently visited the Poconos for a few days of R&R and some golf. We stayed at the historic Shawnee Inn. I chose 3 courses to play from different eras of golf architecture: Shawnee CC (Tillinghast, 1911)- Tamiment  (RTJ, 1947) and Great Bear (Nicklaus, 1997)

Shawnee CC

A little bit of history: C.C. Worthington, a wealthy NY engineer, is a major figure in American golf history. He was involved in the formation of the first golf club in the US-St. Andrews GC in Mt. Hope, NY. He also helped organize the PGA and invented the first commercially successful gang mower used in golf courses. He purchased about 5000 acres north of Stroudsburg, PA and created what is now known as the Shawnee Inn. He hired A.W. Tillinghast in 1909 to design and build an 18-hole golf course on the property. This was Tillinghast’s first design and led to his successful career. Shawnee became known as “The Gem of the East” and hosted the 1938 PGA won by Paul Runyan who defeated Sam Snead 8&7 and the 1967 NCAA won by Hale Irwin. Sam Snead represented Shawnee for many years.  The Shawnee Open was a popular event on the PGA Tour for many years. The popular bandleader Fred Waring, an avid golfer, purchased Shawnee in 1943 and hired Bill Diddle to add an additional 9 holes in the 1950s. Shawnee hosted many celebrities over the years including Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Ed Sullivan, Mickey Mantle and even President Eisenhower. Arnold Palmer met Winnie, who was working in the pro shop, here and later married her.  

The course as it now exists has 3 nines: Red, White & Blue. The red nine starts adjacent to the pro shop with a modest par4 and then crosses the Delaware River with a par3 to an island via a bridge designed by Worthington. The remaining 8 holes of Red are on the island as are the entire 9 holes of White and 6 holes of the Blue. The Blue nine crosses the river with another par3 and the remaining 2 holes of Blue return to the pro shop and Inn.  We played Blue and White. The Island holes were completely destroyed by a flood of the river in 1995 and were rebuilt in house and reopened a year later. How much of Tillinghast remains today is a big question for Phil Young. Tom Doak created the 9hole short course on the property.





Tamiment GC

Some more history: Members of The American Socialist Society founded Camp Tamiment in 1921 as a vacation spot for union members. The Camp also operated a famous summer theater that helped develop the talents of such stars as Danny Kaye, Imogene Coco, Jerome Robbins, Woody Allen, Neil Simon and Carol Burnett. A book was written about the theater- “Every Week a Broadway Revue.” The owners hired Robert Trent Jones in 1947 to design their resort course. By the 1960s Tamiment was a thriving resort. Yours truly spent a summer there in 1964 as the person in charge of canoes on Lake Tamiment. I even shot some billiards with the world’s foremost authority, Professor Irwin Corey and saw Woody Allen do stand up comedy. The resorts success led to its downfall as the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status and the owners- The Peoples Educational Camp Society- were forced to sell. Today, there is little left of the original Tamiment except the lake and golf course and clubhouse. It was my first visit there since 1964. It was sad, very sad indeed, to see the ruins as a subsequent developer bought the place in 2005 and demolished the resort. Plans are on hold to redevelop the property.

At one time, Tamiment was highly rated in Pennsylvania. The course is now operating with a barebones maintenance budget. According to locals, some days are better than other others. Clover was all over the fairways. Bunkers were in need of a total renovation. Greens were soft and were probably about a 5 on the meter. The tree-lined fairways were wide enough. The golf cars were at least 10 years old. BUT, the bones are still there. Typical RTJ with bunkers at 4 & 8 o’clock on the greens and sometimes behind the green at 12 o’clock. The greens were mildly undulating and pin positions behind the greenside bunkers were challenging. The course is noted for its long par5s- 14 @ 563y and 17 @ 585y. The 15th hole, a par4 @ 435y, is famous for a plaque affixed to a boulder near the tee that reads:

“THIS BOULDER WAS MOVED TO CLEAR 14 GREEN AND PLACED HERE IN TRIBUTE TO THE MEN WHO TOILED TO BUILD THIS GOLF COURSE.”

How many courses have such a tribute to workers who built the course? Given the history of Tamiment, this plaque was mandated.

Here is a description of the course as written by RTJ:

http://www.tamimentgolf.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=323&page=7832

My pictures of the sad state of some bunkers will be posted later.

Great Bear G&CC

No history: Great Bear opened in 1997 as the second Nicklaus course in Pennsylvania. Housing surrounds the course but does not intrude. We played the course on a stifling warm and humid day under dark clouds. It was easily the best-maintained course that we played. The greens were a little slow but challenging. The bunkering was good. Take a tour of the course:


http://www.greatbeargolf.com/course_overview.cfm


All in all, I liked Great Bear a lot. I thought it was better than the other Nicklaus course in PA- Nevillewood, near Pittsburgh.

I also visited, but didn’t play, Water Gap CC, a course that was recently mentioned here. http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,39788.0/

I’d like to play Great Bear and Water Gap in the fall under more favorable and less humid conditions.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2009, 08:02:16 AM by Steve_ Shaffer »
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Phil_the_Author

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2009, 11:41:20 PM »
A bit of Shawnee history...

It opened for play on May 27th, 1911 to a par of 70 at 6,011 yards. By the fall it was already being fiddled with by Tilly and less than a year later it had been lengthened by 100 yards. Within 4 years of its opening it will have been re-routed with a number of new hazards, both bunkers and moundings, and it would now play to more than 6,500 yards in length from its championship tees.

When it was expanded by Diddle to 27 holes, most of Tilly's great features were destroyed or greatly reduced.

Here is one of those features from 1914, the "Punchbowl" green. Notice how the bunkers come into play. In the photo below, taken in the late 1940's and at a different angle, you can still see that the left-side bunker has been removed.





By the way, the sketch that Steve has included has been wrongly identified as representing the course on opening day. It actually shows the course in 1916. One way of proving that is by the location of the 2nd tee which was on the opposite shore in 1911.

Mike_Cirba

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2009, 11:50:24 PM »
Ummm....Phil....

If Shawnee had a punchbowl green when it opened in May 1911 prior to the official opening of NGLA, doesn't that mean the course was actually designed by CB Macdonald?  ;)  ;D

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2009, 07:52:29 AM »
One of the great things about staying at the Shawnee Inn is the array of photographs of the celebrities and of the old golf course which are  on the walls all over the hotel.

www.shawneeinn.com



 
« Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 08:00:04 AM by Steve_ Shaffer »
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

astavrides

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2009, 09:57:37 AM »
Did you see the Doak short 9?  If so, how did it look.

Ray Cross

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2009, 11:45:15 AM »
Steve,
Thanks for this posting and chance to review several of the local courses as my wife and I are considering a trip there in the early fall. Too bad Shawnee has so little of Tilly left. But I intend to see/play several others as well.

Ray Cross

D_Malley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2009, 11:57:06 AM »
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,39788.0/

pics of watergap cc

great place and also has alot of documented history

former site of the eastern open

Patrick_Mucci

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2009, 02:15:05 PM »
Steve,

Shawnee had a great golf reputation for many years.

Likewise, Tamiment had a pretty good golf  reputation for a number of years.

One would think, that with the advent of the Interstate Highway system that they would have received more play from Philly and NY golfers.

How did they fall out of favor with the golfing world ?

Mike Cirba,

Another attempt at distortion veiled in humor ?

They were playing golf at NGLA in 1909.

Perhaps you're confusing NGLA with Piping Rock. ;D

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2009, 08:06:57 PM »
Alex,

The Doak Short 9 (The Approach Course as it's named at Shawnee) was very interesting. In fact, the bunkering looked more like Tillinghast than many on the 27 holes on the Red,White and Blue nines.

Pat,

Tamiment fell out of favor probably because the resort went downhill after it was sold in the mid 60s because of the IRS litigation. Subsequent owners let the facilities go until the current owner took over and decided not to upgrade the resort. In its current state of low budget maintenance, I wouldn't advise playing there unless you wanted to see a really good RTJ course in need of renovation or make a nostalgia trip, as I did.

I have no explanation as to why Shawnee has lost favor. It's a neat place to visit,the course is maintained decently, a hotel stay is not required and the cost to play as a non guest is reasonable.  My guess is that that there are now too many options elsewhere, the NJ shore being the major one.

« Last Edit: August 03, 2009, 12:10:54 AM by Steve_ Shaffer »
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2009, 08:45:26 PM »
Steve:

I've actually just shaken hands on a contract to restore the original Tillinghast layout at Shawnee.  The final go-ahead is still dependent on a couple of permitting issues but it appears to be on track.

Some of the work should start this fall although the bulk of it will be done next summer and fall.

Will post more details when the schedule is clear.

John Foley

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2009, 09:27:29 PM »
Steve - How much public play is Great Bear letting on now? For years we had a group meet up in the Pococno's and only got out on Great Bear once. In was defiently the very best of the bunch. Soem very very solid holes.

One that gets overlooked that is also solid is Buck Hill Falls.

Tom - that is very very cool.

Given the island location and the flooding they have had in recent years is that any cause for concern?
Integrity in the moment of choice

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2009, 11:48:54 PM »
Tom,

This is great news!!! Do I presume the course will revert to 18 holes?

John,

Great Bear did allow mid-week reciprocal play through Shawnee. I would think weekend play might be a problem.

"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee, Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2009, 07:44:25 AM »
Tom, great to hear it.  I've been waiting for a Doak design that is public in the northeast and this is pretty close.  Hope that Shawnee does not go crazy with their rates and currently it is in the affordable category.

Tom MacWood

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2009, 08:14:38 AM »
That will be a very interesting restoration project. The original course had some very unusual features.

What year did Diddell redesign the course?

Steve_ Shaffer

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #14 on: August 03, 2009, 08:41:29 AM »
Tom,

Diddle did his work after Fred Waring purchased the property in 1943. No date is given for his work in the history of golf on the website:


http://www.shawneeinn.com/pa-golf-courses/pga-history.cfm

Perhaps it was done in the 1950s. Paging Phil Young.

Doak's Approach Course was opened in 2006:

http://www.styledtoatee.com/blog/2008/11/shawnee-teeing-up-a-new-identity.html
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Andy Hughes

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #15 on: August 03, 2009, 02:23:57 PM »
Steve, thanks for the updates.  As a punk kid years ago, Shawnee and Tamiment were considered 'special' courses and it was a big event to play tournaments at either (as an aside, your listing of the 1938 PGA and the 1967 NCAA is incomplete--you failed to mention the Centennial League HS Championships at Shawnee  ;)).  Sorry to hear Tamiment is not what it once was.

Shawnee is one of the Poconos courses I do hope to return to play someday, along with Water Gap and Glenbrook.

TomMac--any chance you will ever repost your old Wolf Laurel (Water Gap) pic? If nothing else it'll make Cirba and me cry.
"Perhaps I'm incorrect..."--P. Mucci 6/7/2007

Jerry Kluger

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #16 on: August 03, 2009, 03:27:44 PM »
What types of information is there available with respect to the Tillinghast design?

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #17 on: August 03, 2009, 05:44:26 PM »
Jerry:

Phil Young has promised us the mother lode of information on the original Shawnee layout.

As it is, only three or four of the 27 holes are totally preserved from the 18-hole course.  But I think something like 14 or 15 of the green sites are used ... there are several of them which were kept in play but played from an entirely different angle.  I have yet to figure out whether those greens were rebuilt at the time of the expansion to 27 holes, or whether they just kept the same contours, as weird as that would seem.

Cliff:

It will not be my course, it'll be Tillinghast's, or I've failed to do what I'm supposed to.

Mike Sweeney

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #18 on: August 03, 2009, 05:55:09 PM »
J I have yet to figure out whether those greens were rebuilt at the time of the expansion to 27 holes, or whether they just kept the same contours, as weird as that would seem.


I really did not see any Tilly out there for the most part on my one play. It is/was an enjoyable family style course that I played with my son, but it reminded me of Timber Point. Just felt like the "real course" was gone.

I am shocked that this is happening and I am very excited to see the course post-Doak. Tom, if you can, please bring back some of the river vistas. It is a gorgeous spot but the island seemed to be surrounded by trees on its edges except for that Par 3 across the river, which my son loved. 

Jason McNamara

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #19 on: August 03, 2009, 08:19:41 PM »
As it is, only three or four of the 27 holes are totally preserved from the 18-hole course.  But I think something like 14 or 15 of the green sites are used ... there are several of them which were kept in play but played from an entirely different angle.  I have yet to figure out whether those greens were rebuilt at the time of the expansion to 27 holes, or whether they just kept the same contours, as weird as that would seem.


I realize it's probably too early to know, but Tom, would you try to take a green as originally built and then essentially rotate it?  (Assuming the "front" of the green hadn't been rotated or otherwise changed in the interim...)

Tom_Doak

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #20 on: August 03, 2009, 09:00:23 PM »
Jason:

We are going to be putting the course back to its original 18-hole routing, and abandoning the rest when we are finished.  So we should not have to "rotate" any of the greens, if they didn't rotate them when the course was expanded.

Jason McNamara

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #21 on: August 03, 2009, 09:25:16 PM »
Thanks for the clarification, Tom.  I think you implied as much, but I missed it.

Cliff Hamm

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #22 on: August 03, 2009, 09:30:17 PM »
Jason:

We are going to be putting the course back to its original 18-hole routing, and abandoning the rest when we are finished.  So we should not have to "rotate" any of the greens, if they didn't rotate them when the course was expanded.

Tom...there are three nines at Shawnee.  If I interpret your comments correclty Shawnee will go from 27 to 18 holes.  If this is not correct which 2 nine holes will you be working on?  Obviously restoring the Tillinghast 18...duh
« Last Edit: August 04, 2009, 09:51:20 AM by Cliff Hamm »

Jaeger Kovich

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Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #23 on: August 03, 2009, 09:53:45 PM »
Jerry - I would suggest you contact the Tillinghast Association. There are 3 books of golf illustrated articles that he wrote, many about design, others about his travels and people he met. I think you can join for $100, and the books come as part of the membership. There are probably some sample articles on their website, along with some sketches/pictures.

Tom - Couple questions... Is the Binnikill hole still playing as it was intended? It seems like it was one of his favorite holes from all his writing about the place. Also, did Shawnee have a Reef hole? We have one at QR. I love the strategy, and the 3 lines of play, although I always go for it! What other sorts of Tillinghast classics does Shawnee have? Double doglegs? The great hazard par-5?

Phil_the_Author

Re: The Poconos- Shawnee(to be restored by Doak), Tamiment and Great Bear
« Reply #24 on: August 03, 2009, 11:43:28 PM »
Jaeger,

There were NO Reef holes at Shawnee. There was no BUNKER-type great hazards, but there were "ALPS" that served as such. I had an incredibly hectic day and haven't had a moment to put together a short synopsis of its evolution.Among the surprises for most will be that between 1911 and 1915 the courses was lengthened three times totaling more than 400 yards including a RE-ROUTING of the course within the first two years!

 ;D