We golfed our way up to Saratoga Springs for the August thoroughbred racing. They call Saratoga the graveyard of favorites, but lots of them won while we were there. I cashed 3 exactas both days and still couldn't make any money. We watched Flute win the Alabama Stakes, then we golfed our way home.
General Comments: The Lakeside and Woodlands nines were designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1996. Dr. Michael Hurdzan designed the Meadows nine, added in 1998. The carts have GPS system for yardage. All the greens were fast. They have a beautiful clubhouse overlooking a 125 acre lake. The sand traps were in bad shape because of a recent 4" downpour, but crews were out working on them as we played.
We played with locals, Paul, and his brother-in-law from Washington, DC. Both were 15 handicappers, and both had trouble with the course.
LAKESIDE COURSE
Narrow fairways, many well-placed sandtraps. Finishes with a beautiful cape-type hole around the 125-acre lake. Number 2 green is in terrible shape. Other than that the course was in good condition. Very tough course.
MEADOWS COURSE
Michael Hurdzan had fewer trees to work with but made a new nine that fit well with the previous 18-hole course. Greens are larger and more accessible. There was one clumsy lengthy drive from the 6th green to 7th tee. This nine was more open and much easier than the Lakeside course.
Cedarbrook Golf Course Belle Vernon, PA (South of Pittsburgh)
We played the Red course which is shorter and tighter than the Gold course. It is advertised as a public course...gets plenty of play, and is in no way outstanding. Both courses had many elevation changes. The greens were fast. Some were bumpy from heavy play. Poor course design was exhibited on at least 3 greens which had 3-4 mounds in front of the greens for no apparent reason. At least once there were 'battling' fairway sandtraps, with very little fairway between them. E-Z on E-Z off since it sits right on I-70. It's not a difficult course and worth the $34 to ride 18 holes.
Stone Hedge Country Club Factoryville, PA (N of Scranton)
The worst thing about Stone Hedge is the people. That includes the people in the clubhouse, the starter, and the people playing the course. The starter let 5 twosomes in a row go out without putting anyone together because no one wanted to pair up. The people in the clubhouse had no idea what was going on out on the course. The bozo factor was very high as far as people understanding course etiquette, which includes abiding by cart rules. There is no dress code, so let your imagination run wild.
The front side had 4 fairways side-by-side with little separation of any kind...take your chances. Big rocks were taking over the fairway bunkers. Fairways were in decent condition and greens were very fast. We waited 25 minutes at the turn. The 10th hole was a par 3, which held things up even more. The backside wound through the forest with many elevation changes. It was a better design than the frontside, except for the par 3, 10th hole. We would not drive out of our way to play the course again. Thumbs Down.
Treasure Lake Golf Course DuBois, PA (North of Punxsutawney)
No we didn't see any groundhogs! The Gold course meandered through forest and homes. Tree lined narrow fairways and many elevation changes forced golfers to make shots or find themselves in trouble. A tough course with 137 slope rating from the tips. Traps were in good shape and the greens were medium speed and held shots well. The course is located at the Dubois Exit (old number #17) off I-80. A half mile north to the course. E-Z on, E-Z off. We'll try the Silver course next time. Just up the road, in Brookville, be sure to eat at the Golden Eagle Restaurant for semi-fine dining.
Chippewa Golf Club Doylestown, Ohio
This is a fairly open course with elevation changes and water hazards. Greens were fast but bumpy due to heavy play. Fairways were good. The problem with the course is the high bozo factor. At $30 for 18 holes with cart, it attracted too many guys wearing blue jeans & ballcaps turned around backward. Course etiquette was a problem. We wouldn't play again.
Designed by the legendary Arthur Hills and opened in 1999. The frontside is mostly open, links style, out and back. The backside meanders up and down hills and through the woods. The course has many elevation changes and a large variety of hole types. We played after a heavy rain and noticed drainage problems on the 9th, 10th and 18th fairways. Several holes had examples of excessive mounding ala Robert Trent Jones. The greens were new and should improve with age. The 18th hole, a par 3 over water, finishes the round. A very challenging golf course that will get better with age.
