Pittsburgh Golf Clubs

[Brian Bowman]

I know there are dozens of other threads but I am looking for some updated information, as we really only have one day to play.  So long story short, my whole family is from Pittsburgh (I was born in Cincinnati, so I haven't played too many of the courses), and my uncle who lives in California now is getting remarried in downtown Pittsburgh in late June.  We have people flying in from all over the country and he has tasked me to find a place to play....on a Friday morning...with two four balls, not the easiest task.  I am a PGA Professional at a private facility in Cincinnati, and am willing to make a few phone calls. 


So what are our best options?  What courses, for the few of us who are interested in architecture, are courses that we cannot miss? I love Raynor, but I would hate to call and ask for carts, as a few of these guys are older/have a tough time walking these days for 18 holes.
-St. Clair is out (their busiest day), and Sewickley Heights GC is out due to an event that day.


*Side note: Everyone in the group are good golfers.
*Side note 2: Last year, 3 of my uncles and myself did have the great pleasure of playing Oakmont, and Edgewood CC and we enjoyed them both.


This seems like being mission impossible currently, but being the PGA guy in the family, the duties fall on me.  I appreciate all your input.

[Tim Martin]

Head just across the Allegheny River to Verona and play Longue View Club. Great views out over the river valley and no shortage of dramatic shots with an all star set of par threes. The stone clubhouse is a stunner with some amazingly ornate details from a bygone era. The golf and surrounds make for a great day.

[Bill_Yates]

You might really like Pittsburgh Field Club, or one of my favorites, Fox Chapel Golf Club, a wonderful Seth Raynor design.

[David Wuthrich]

I would agree with Bill, those are the two best that you haven't played.

[Tim Martin]

Everybody knows about Oakmont, Fox Chapel and PFC. Your crew won't be disappointed at Longue Vue.

[Paul Jones]

Everybody knows about Oakmont, Fox Chapel and PFC. Your crew won't be disappointed at Longue Vue.

I played Longue Vue last year and loved it !!!  I enjoyed Longue Vue more than Fox Chapel and PFC.


Paul

[Joe Bausch]

I very much enjoyed my morning at PFC a couple of summers ago.

Photo album that is part of the Bausch Collection at MyPhillyGolf.com:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/PittsburghField/index.html

[Brian Bowman]

Thank you for all the responses! I think the only issue would be that some of the more high end "snooty" clubs might have some issue with me trying for a Friday Morning at 8am.  I know that 99% of PGA Professionals are very nice men and women, but I wonder what pressures they would get for having 8 guests out.  Sounds like mission impossible

[Joe Bausch]

Thank you for all the responses! I think the only issue would be that some of the more high end "snooty" clubs might have some issue with me trying for a Friday Morning at 8am.  I know that 99% of PGA Professionals are very nice men and women, but I wonder what pressures they would get for having 8 guests out.  Sounds like mission impossible

I'm thinking Wanango might be doable for 2 groups.

Photos:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/Wanango/index.html

The same day my group played Wanango, we also played Foxburg which is "the oldest golf course in continuous use in the USA".

Photos:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/Foxburg/index.html

[Jon Cavalier]

If you're interested, here's a tour I did a while back for Longue Vue: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61584.0.html


PFC and FCGC are also excellent.

[Brian Bowman]

I'm thinking Wanango might be doable for 2 groups.

Photos:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/Wanango/index.html

The same day my group played Wanango, we also played Foxburg which is "the oldest golf course in continuous use in the USA".

Photos:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/Foxburg/index.html



Thank you for he recommendation, however, the wedding will be that night, and its my uncles "wedding gift" from me, so a little out of our potential area to play.

[Brian Bowman]

If you're interested, here's a tour I did a while back for Longue Vue: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61584.0.html


PFC and FCGC are also excellent.

Excellent photo tour, I'm going to try for that, and see what their pro has to say.  Its a shame that all the golfer's in my family moved out of Pittsburgh, would be a lot easier with a sponsoring member to find a club as I'm finding out.

[Brian Bowman]

Sometimes doing something nice, only gets you a spit in the face.  After inquiring to a few clubs, I updated my Uncle (and we are close), with what club I just contacted today, for him to tell me right after the email is sent that he is paying for everyone's golf, and doesn't want to spend too much.


-So the guy asks me to find a nice, private course
-then tells me he doesn't want to pay a lot for golf, after I email this prestigious club, putting myself, and my reputation on the line while asking a favor from another PGA Professional.


so, long story short, I sincerely appreciate everyone's advise and response, and I will not be playing with their group that morning because he disrespected my profession.


If anyone is looking for a fourth Friday the 30th, please let me know!


Thank you

[Tim Martin]

Sometimes doing something nice, only gets you a spit in the face.  After inquiring to a few clubs, I updated my Uncle (and we are close), with what club I just contacted today, for him to tell me right after the email is sent that he is paying for everyone's golf, and doesn't want to spend too much.


-So the guy asks me to find a nice, private course
-then tells me he doesn't want to pay a lot for golf, after I email this prestigious club, putting myself, and my reputation on the line while asking a favor from another PGA Professional.


so, long story short, I sincerely appreciate everyone's advise and response, and I will not be playing with their group that morning because he disrespected my profession.


If anyone is looking for a fourth Friday the 30th, please let me know!


Thank you

Brian-Wow!!!! Who would have known this sort of drama would ensue?!? You got a game in Hartford, Ct. when you come through and tell your uncle he's out.

[Brian Bowman]

Brian-Wow!!!! Who would have known this sort of drama would ensue?!? You got a game in Hartford, Ct. when you come through and tell your uncle he's out.



HA. We are close too, and after my father passed when I was young, he introduced me to the game, but I consider my profession to be an important one.  Which is why I hold the game, and my job of growing it, in the highest regard.  If he thinks my job is a joke, and my reputation as one of 34000 PGA Professionals in the world doesn't matter, then I will accept your invitation, and send the ungrateful guy a postcard!