Lebanon CC ( 1920, Alex Findlay) in Lebanon, PA Celebrates 100 years

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Frequently mentioned here...


100 years of ‘community within a community’ at Lebanon Country Club



https://lebtown.com/2020/02/19/100-years-of-community-within-a-community-at-lebanon-country-club/

[Joe Bausch]

Not many hidden gems these days, but this place fits the bill:


http://www80.homepage.villanova.edu/joseph.bausch/images/albums/Lebanon/index.html

[Jim Sherma]

Yeah for Lebanon! Front 9 is good - Back 9 is special.



If there is interest in getting something together this year, I am happy to host.

[MCirba]

One of the most underrated back nines that I've ever played.

[Jim Sherma]

My understanding is that the front 9 was made first in 1920. The back 9 came later, but not by that much. Can't remember where I heard this but I believe it to be true. --- edit. This is wrong - the back 9 was built first although both 9's were designed at the same time - Alec's brother Fred oversaw construction of the front 9 a few years after the back was completed.


The land on the back 9 is more severe with a lot of exposed rock right at the surface in places, the front is on more gentle land. They have done some work on the course that IMO is quite good. They softened the green on 4, 15 and 17 to make them more playable at modern speeds. 15 was necessary as they were down to only two marginal placements on the original. 4 was severe but playable with the option of just laying up to the front fringe, the new green is interesting and does not change the way the hole plays. 17 was very severe with a lot of balls coming back off of the green. The tree removal and new bunkering between the 16th and 17th fairways is very nicely done.
 

[Rory Connaughton]

It is easy to get overlooked in Pennsylvania especially if you are outside of the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh MSAs. Lebanon is really deserving of attention. The front is good but the back, as Mike noted, is really wonderful. Great terrain, lots of interesting geological features and the fence around the property could have you thinking at you are in New England.


Great vibe on top of it all.


Jim, if you do anything, count me in.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. My daughter is playing in the PA Junior there, and from the images… I just don't get it. So, I look forward to seeing why pictures don't do it justice.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. My daughter is playing in the PA Junior there, and from the images… I just don't get it. So, I look forward to seeing why pictures don't do it justice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdpK6Uz1Y3A

That video does NOT make the course look great.

Except for the 11th hole (which IMO could be better with some small changes, including possibly just shortening it slightly), the course presents MUCH better in person. The pictures (or video) do NOT do it justice.

The greens were some of the smallest I've seen, with some of the more aggressive slopes I've seen, of late. The 13th, for example, is the size of a kitchen… with a large tier separating the front and back halves. Fortunately they kept the green speeds reasonable, or there would have been some MUCH higher scores.

I enjoyed the walk and watching the girls play.

[Jim Sherma]

Played Lebanon with fellow GCA'er Chris Mavros yesterday and it is presenting itself beautifully these days. Hanging out with a couple of members afterwards we got some great insight into the course's history. This was evidently a function of the research that was done leading up to the Ron Forse restoration that resulted in the course as it currently sits. The new-for-me information that was discussed follows:


> The back nine was the original 9 designed and built by Alec Findlay (I thought the front was the original 9)
> A few years later the front 9 was built by Fred Findlay to the design made by Alec at the time of the back 9's creation
> 12 was originally a short par 4 teeing off from behind and to the left of 11's green
> 13 and 14 were back to back par 3's with 13 playing blind over the quarry wall to the right of the present green to an original green by 15's tee, this green was significantly sloped back to front - the current green was built circa early 2000's


Lebanon is definitely a course worth seeing if in the area. The club's finances have been stabilized and the course and club are in the best condition I have seen in the 20 years since I first played it. Hopefully the club can provide another 100 years of enjoyable and fun golf for their members and other lovers of old school architecture.