[Richard Hetzel]

Back in September I played the Punxsutawney Country Club located in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This is an older country club that was originally 9 holes and then expanded to 18 holes in the 1970's. I could not find out who was the original GCA or who completed the addition of 9 extra holes. Also, there are a few holes that were also recently (with in the last 10 years one would guess) redesigned which removed a dog left par five and made it a straight away par 5. Maybe someone here can chime in about the original GCA as well as the two redesigns. The course itself was pretty fun, and had a few very solid golf holes (#3, #4, #5, #6 come immediately to mind and were part of the original 9 holes I think). The course, in many spots, has a "cramped" feel to it and the newer holes, although fun to play appear to be somewhat out of character with the older portion of the golf course. Worth a round if in the area. My friends from Connecticut and I usually do a three day weekend somewhere in PA each year in late September or early October. (others played this weekend were Treasure Lake Silver GC and Beechwoods GC). Here are the pics.....

[Thomas McQuillan]

the bunkers look very shallow especially the 'fairway' ones

[Richard Hetzel]

the bunkers look very shallow especially the 'fairway' ones

Yes they were. I would guess that they have never been restored or resdesigned at all.

[Billsteele]

In what may be the most obvious question in the history of this site, the logo for the Punxsutawney Country Club has to have a groundhog in it, doesn't it?

[Richard Hetzel]

In what may be the most obvious question in the history of this site, the logo for the Punxsutawney Country Club has to have a groundhog in it, doesn't it?

Yes, my PCC logo golfball is sporting a groundhog (dirty little rodents).

[Jim_Kennedy]

Richard,
Did you play it the next day..............and the next, and the next? 

[Richard Hetzel]

Richard,
Did you play it the next day..............and the next, and the next? 

Good one.....

One other side note, I actually thought the area, Punxsutawney would be a bit nicer. It appears to be a pretty rough, down trodden town.

[Kyle Harris]

Look for the second nine addition to be done by James Harrison and Ferdinand Garbin. Firm was very active in Western PA during this time.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Kyle,

Perhaps Xenophon Hassenplug was in the area too.

[Ronald Montesano]

Harrison, Garbin and Hassenplug...the William Harries' of western PA...

[Chris_Blakely]

Harrison, Garbin and Hassenplug...the William Harries' of western PA...

Hassenplug and some of Grabin's courses I will agree, but not James Gilmore Harrison.  He has designed some solid courses.

Chris

[Richard Hetzel]

Here is the e-mail the head pro just sent me:

Hi Rich,

Here is what I know.  The course was built in 3 hole increments so no one really famous designed it.  I believe just a local golfer.  The recent alterations were done by Frank and Rick Fairman.  They were altered winter 08 spring 09.  Hope to see you on the course again,

Dan

[Ronald Montesano]

Blakely,

Give me some examples of JGH's courses, so that I might be brought into the light.

Harries designed some "solid" courses, too, but his weak ones are quite boring.

[Kyle Harris]

Blakely,

Give me some examples of JGH's courses, so that I might be brought into the light.

Harries designed some "solid" courses, too, but his weak ones are quite boring.

Penn State Blue Course - Today's front nine.
Penn State White Course - Holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 17, 18.

All these holes formed the old Blue Course before the 1994 revisions.

They are above average with some outstanding Par 5s.

[Chris_Blakely]

Montesano,

Kyle Harris beat me to the punch.  I like his work at the Penn State Courses alot.  Also,

Warwick Hills GC

Sewickly Heights GC

Lakeview Golf Resort - Lakeview Course

Chris

[Doug Wright]

Harrison and Garbin did Blueberry Hill GC down the road from Punxy near Warren, PA. It's one of my "hidden gems," not just because it's hidden in the middle of nowhere but because it has a number of very fun golf holes, blind shots (with signaling bells on a couple holes) and some interesting greens. It was built in two nine hole increments several years apart (1961 and 1969) so a bit schizoid but worth a visit if in the area.

[Michael Huber]

Richard,

What were your thoughts on the Silver Course at Treasure Lake?

[Chris_Blakely]

Richard,

What were your thoughts on the Silver Course at Treasure Lake?

I like the Gold Course the best of the two layouts.

Chris

[Chris_Blakely]

Harrison and Garbin did Blueberry Hill GC down the road from Punxy near Warren, PA. It's one of my "hidden gems," not just because it's hidden in the middle of nowhere but because it has a number of very fun golf holes, blind shots (with signaling bells on a couple holes) and some interesting greens. It was built in two nine hole increments several years apart (1961 and 1969) so a bit schizoid but worth a visit if in the area.

Harrison did the original 9 holes there.  They would be the ones with the much better greensites and on the better piece of land.  They had plans at one time to expand to 27 holes.  I believe they cleared land for the final 9 holes.

Chris

[Richard Hetzel]

Richard,

What were your thoughts on the Silver Course at Treasure Lake?

Michael,

It was pure vanilla. It just didn't offer anything to note. A few decent holes, a few really poor holes on the back 9. I most likely will never play it again.

We played another, probably a homemade course, the next day and I liked it a lot. It was Beechwoods GC near the DuBois exit off of I-80. Not long, but fun.

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