Golf in the State of Pennsylvania
Steeped in history and nicknamed the “Keystone” state, Pennsylvania (officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), was one of the 13 original founding states and the second state to ratify the US Constitution. The state has many neighbors at all compass points, including Ontario (in Canada), Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Delaware, New York, New Jersey and a stretch of Lake Erie. It is blessed with an incredible 629 golf courses, many centered around the large metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh with 150, Philadelphia with 122, Erie with 33, Harrisburg and Scranton, each with 30, Johnstown with 20, 15 each at Lancaster and State College and Altoona with 6.
The award-winning 18-hole Golf Course at Glen Mills, boasts “the only golf course in the Philadelphia area featuring 12-minute starting times” and features multiple practice areas. Historical Iron Valley Golf Club, Lebanon is highly-ranked and provides a great test of golfing skill. Also highly-ranked in both Pennsylvania and the nation, championship, high-end Golden Oaks Golf Club, Fleetwood, boasts “an enjoyable round for all skill levels”. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - Mystic Rock, Farmington, Pennsylvania, designed by Pete Dye, offers players “championship-level golf in a spectacular setting”.
Arnold Palmer, from Latrobe, nicknamed “The King”, is on anyone’s list of one of the greatest golfers of all time. Gloria Jean Ehret, born in Allentown, placed 5th in her rookie LPGA year and won the event the year after. George Fazio, born in Philadelphia, became head pro at the Los Angeles Hillcrest Country Club in the 1940’s, and hobnobbed with many of Hollywood’s then celebrities, before going on to become a famous course designer along with his nephews Tom & Jim. Bob Friend, born in Pittsburgh, is the son of the MLB All-Star pitcher of the same name. Bill Sautter, from Abington, played professional soccer in his youth but at the age of 30 gave it up for pro golf and is now the golf instructor at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. A.W. Tillinghast, born in Philadelphia, produced a tremendous number of golf courses in his days as a course designer. Despite an unorthodox swing, Jim Furyk, born in West Chester, once shot a score of 58, which stands as the lowest round in PGA history.