Hershey CC(East&West) to host PGA Club Pro Championship

« **on:** May 14, 2011, 10:43:11 AM »

The Championship is June 26-29.

Good article about Hershey CC,where Ben Hogan hung his cap for a few years, and its 2 classic parkland courses by G. Fazio & McCarthy:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/golf/mc-teeingoff-0510-20110510,0,2200468.story

http://www.pga.com/nationalchampionship/2011/news/hershey_golf_121410.cfm

« **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2011, 11:34:11 AM »

Jim Reed is the Tournament Director for the National Club Pro Championship at Hershey and he is looking for volunteers. He can be contacted by phone at 717.489.3031. The website:

www.hersheygolfcollection.com

« **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2011, 02:30:03 PM »

Steve:

What's shocking to me is how good the East Course is but it's not rated among the top ten in PA by Golfweek.

But ...

The West and Hershey Links area.

Go figure that one out.

I also really like the uphill approach shots one has to handle at the East.

« **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2011, 03:01:47 PM »

I'm a big fan of Hershey Links. West is a good study but needs a tune up. Lester George was scheduled but that project is on hold. East is a fine course and deserves a spot in the top courses in PA. My wife is not a big fan of all those elevated greens. My 7w comes in handy there.

« **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2011, 04:00:51 PM »

Steve:

Agree w you on the West layout. Needs an overhaul in plenty of spots.

Good example is the 1st hole -- bunker at corner of dog-leg is irrelevant for top tier players.

Also, par could be reduced with either the 15th or 16th hole becoming a par-4 -- I personally favor
seeing the 15th be the choice on that front.

In regards to the East -- GF gets little mileage out of creating this layout. I really liked the elevated approaches -- just means
getting to the fairway and in the right spots as crucial.

« **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2011, 04:04:32 PM »

I too like Hershey Links. Hurdzan/Fry designed a strategic course that's fun to play.

« **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2011, 04:06:43 PM »

The sad part about Hershey is that Parkview - a very fun and interesting public layout -- was put to its end in 2005 by the facility.

The par-5 3rd (originally the 18th hole) and the par-4 4th (originally the 1st) were both solid, solid holes.

Facility hosted the US Pub Links early on and was quite well done by architect Maurice McCarthy.

« **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2011, 08:28:33 PM »

Matt - you're right on the money. Hershey was in a strange place back then - there was a faction that wanted to sell off Hershey which would probably kill the town. Fortunately, the alumni of The Milton Hershey School (for whom Hershey Brands works to a large extent) prevailed. But the threat seems to loom. I pray that Hershey doesn't end up closing their US operations (including the resort, as once proposed) for cheaper labor offshore.

« **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2011, 08:36:56 PM »

Dan:

During my visit this past week -- I can see the tons of $$ that Hershey has invested into the properties -- it could be sold because often times groups that runs facilities need to pump up the appearance to attract buyers.

But ...

I don't see a sale happening. Hosting the National Club Pro is a big deal and Hershey has the goods to deliver on this front.

I am saddened to see the end of Parkview -- was plenty of fun and had holes from the 1930's that would not be part of any new course design. Like I said - the old par-5 3rd was a one of kind hole. So sad to see it gone but hats off to the facility in purchasing the former Wren Dale -- now Hershey Links.

What's amazing about Hershey is that is far more than a theme park.

« **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2011, 04:27:22 PM »

Matt - I think (like you) that the threat has ended for now. Hopefully those Milton Hershey School alumni will keep greedy board members in check.

And you're right about the whole Hershey experience. To me, it's SO much better than the fake Disney World. Plus, the golf is a lot better!

« **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:15:59 PM »

Dan:

Hershey years ago was just doing OK but I have to say I am really impressed with the infusion of $$ and the desire to really take things to the next level. I am saddened to see the end of Parkview but getting Hershey Links into the mix was smart.

The National Club Pro doesn't have much of a following but it's great for the club to get involved with an event that can help spread its visibility to the top tier club pros.

Hersehy East is a far better course than many might imagine. The upslope you face with the approach shots is quite demanding and how the course was not rated among the top ten public by Golfweek is confusing since Hershey West and Hershey Links are. If any course was in line for a good makeover the West could stand to use it.

« **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:26:36 PM »

The East was one of the best courses for years on the Buy.com Tour.
Everybody looked forward to the event. Tough course, but a lot of fun shots for us!

« **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:42:34 PM »

Pat:

Agreed.

Amazingly, you get such newer courses being listed ahead of Hershey East. Have to wonder if many people have played the course in recent years. The turf quality is well done and GF designs often get little discussion here -- but the East has a number of fine holes -- you just don't see many courses favoring uphill approach shots. That's too bad.

« **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2011, 09:37:21 AM »

Great to see them hosting. The east course is a really neat layout that can test anyone.

Mark

« **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2011, 10:14:11 AM »

You guys seem to know quite a bit about the course, any local knowledge to pass on. Thanks
Lance

« **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2011, 03:30:56 AM »

Lance:

The East requires pinpoint iron play because quite a few of the greens are above the player. Often times people will think one additional club will suffice -- that's not the case. The East is a solid layout -- I'm not suggesting it belongs with the elite Pennsy private ones but I can't fathom why it's not listed among Golfweeek's top ten public for the Keystone State.

« **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2011, 11:05:16 AM »

To the extent that the three courses may be considered public (certainly Hershey Links is), I agree with Matt. They should probably all be included.

« **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2011, 06:02:27 PM »

Rory:

The West needs a makeover in a big time way.

Could be much better -- great place for someone to make their mark in elevating the layout.

How the existing East is NOT rated baffles me because as the National Club Pros will find out -- hitting to elevated targets is no e-z
task.

« **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2011, 07:55:11 PM »

Interesting to hear the lovin' for the East course. I liked it okay but found the course to lean toward one-dimensionality because of all the uphill approaches. When we played a tournament there on the East and the Links last year, I actually preferred the Links.

« **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2011, 09:45:59 PM »

Tim:

Not "love" mind you - but respect.

If the West is rated among Pennsy's top ten public -- Golfweek says -- then the East should be included as well in my mind.

The amount of uphill approaches is not overkill but it does make players need to hit solid tee shots and just as solid approaches to make due.

« **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2011, 08:42:58 AM »

Matt

We are in total agreement on the West. The bones are definitely there.

« **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2011, 08:50:23 AM »

Re: West @ Hershey CC

Here is Lester George on his plans for West if & when the work starts:

http://www.georgegolfdesign.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=797&page=44935

News:

Steve_ Shaffer

Joe Bausch

Matt_Ward

Steve_ Shaffer

Matt_Ward

Dan Herrmann

Matt_Ward

Dan Herrmann

Matt_Ward

Dan Herrmann

Matt_Ward

Pat Burke

Matt_Ward

Mark McKeever

Lance Rieber

Matt_Ward

Rory Connaughton

Matt_Ward

Tim Gavrich

Matt_Ward

Rory Connaughton

Steve_ Shaffer