I had the recent opportunity to visit Pittsburgh for a few days of golf with my dad. We played Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh Field Club and Allegheny CC. What a surprise and treat all three of these courses were! Going in, I expected Fox Chapel and PFC to be of high quality as they’re often mentioned as options 1a to Oakmont (along with Longue Vue – another “1a” club).
Fox Chapel
As a first time play, I don’t have a baseline to compare the pre-renovation version. But wow, does this course shine. The topography is relatively tame for the hills of Pittsburgh – it’s a decently easy walk but still enough elevation change to give you some blind shots and downhill vantage points. You get plenty of Raynor’s greatest hits templates along with some original holes that more than hold their own.
The new and revised short Cape 5th was the standout hole to me – the fairway is bracketed by a creek (creating the cape feature) and fairway bunkers that require a line and distance decision from the tee followed up by an approach shot to a well-protected green. Strategic golf at it’s best. The Biarritz 17th is a strong rendition, with both front and back sections mowed to green height and bunkers running the entire 70 yard green length. Other highlights to me were the punchbowl green on #2, the Leven hole #7 with an approach over an unruly mound of wild grass, and the par 5 18th “Glade Run” with a creek running up the right side through the driving zone and then cutting diagonally through the fairway in the layup zone. An elegant clubhouse sits on a hill overlooking the course and adds a special sense of occasion walking up the 18th.
Pittsburgh Field Club
Although a neighbor to Fox Chapel, Field Club possesses a much hillier terrain starting with the tee shot at 1 that drops some 60 or 70 feet to the fairway below. It is a picturesque start to the round as you can see much of the course laid out below the clubhouse/1st tee. I understand the course has undertaken a tree removal program to the benefit of the playing experience. Due to the more severe nature of the hills here (compared to Fox Chapel), there were more blind shots to be found and course knowledge is definitely a benefit.
I especially liked the stretch of #’s 8-14 laid out over some engaging topography and having a couple shots to blind landing zones (course knowledge helps) and some of the best greens complexes on the course. No commentary would be complete without mentioning the elevator taking golfers from the 17th green up to the 18th tee as well – definitely a unique feature.