Glen Mills School, Golf Course and Vocational Inst

[RJ_Daley]

I was very interested to find an article in the current "Golf Course Management Magazine" that details the operations and golf course design of Glen Mills GC, a Bobby Weed design.  The course is adjunct to the Glen Mills vocational and rehabilitation school for youth offenders.  These youngsters  have for the most part received court referrals to that reform school.  The facility decided to build a golf course on its 800 acres of adjoining land and create an all encompassing golf course maintanence and management curriculum where the referred youths can learn everything from turf maintenance, machinery operation on the course, and repair of the machinery, to turfgrass science, and business and management of the golf facilities.  Golf as a sport is also offered.

Ironically, I had this same idea about the development of a golf course for the purpose of vocational rehab of teenage offenders and youngsters "at risk" for several years.  Chi Chi Rodriquez also has a charitable foundation oriented to similar youth vocational efforts at a course near Tampa FL.  

I discussed this idea in some detail with Tom Paul more than a year ago and he told me about the Glen Mills project.  My idea was to aproach an entitity like Boys Town in Nebraska, to determine if there is a natural fit with their vacational curriculum and the fact that Nebraska sand hills would be very ideal for such a venture both due to location and perfect golf terrain.

I'd like to know if anyone has played Glen Mills, and hear their impressions of the quality of the Bobby Weed course and any knowledge of the operations due to the nature of the vocational facility.

[Matt_Davenport]

RJ,
Glen Mills School has a winner in their Bobby Weed designed golf course.  I have played the course twice (one occcasion was the USGA Publinks--Philly qualifier) and I enjoy the setting immensely.  Permitting of the golf course was problem regarding wetlands and grading of steep slopes.  The front nine has a heathland style through the first four holes than it dips into the rugged woodlands for the remainder.  Wetland carries and environmental/OB (no looky for golf balls )hazards abound on several of the woodland holes.  Overall the routing changes directions frequently on the front nine, while the back nine is more "out and back"  

My practice round the day before the qualifier I arrived at 4:30 (qualifying for twilight rate of $40) and played the course in under four hours . Play was extremely slow for the USGA qualifier (6+ hours, I guess they really wanted to simulate typical weekend public play ).  One player in my group shot a qualifying score for the first round and the USGA expected him to go back out, with a marker, at 6:30 pm to play 18 more (he made it through 12 before the siren sounded at 9:00 pm).

IMHO the course is probably too difficult for the majority of daily-fee players.  Greens fees are steep ($65 weekday, $85 weekend, $40 twilight) for public golf, but I believe the school may be considering a second course, so I suppose the first venture is doing well.

I admire the school and its mission of vocational training of youths.  Service at the course is teriffic & a new clubhouse should be operational soon (if not since my visit in June).  I believe I will try again next year for the Publinks qualifier, I will just be prepared for the inevitable 6-hour round.  

[Craig Rokke]

My guess is that the school is accomplishing most of their goals with the course. The first time I played there, I went
from thinking "do I dare leave my clubs unattended?" to "these
kids are really trying to put their best foot forward." They are learning people skills and a trade that hopefully will benefit
them through life.

The pro told me that a second course is being planned on the rolling parcel across the street. The design will be done "in house", whatever that means. Maybe he's doing it? Maybe the students? I hope it's not a disappointment.

The course is good. The front nine has a number of excellent holes. The greens and the bunkering are very tastefully done. The topography presented more of a challenge on the back, however, with some of the holes really shoe-horned into a rugged site. Many of them are steeply banked on one side, with fairly steep drop-offs on the other. Many of the landing areas are not particularly generous.