GOLF PENNSYLVANIA Vol. XXVIII No. GOLF3 NORTHEAST July 2016 July, Cool Drinks And Great Golf Destination: U.S. Women's Amateur at Rolling Green Pocono Golf Courses Ready for Summer Dustin Johnson Takes U.S. Open at Oakmont Crystal Springs Golf Resort A Luxury New Jersey Getaway Edgewood in the Pines Gets Facelift ING Golf Conference Jack Frost National Experience Golf in Herber Valley, Utah Golf Club Results; Philly PGA , PPGS and AGA Blakeslee, PA 2 G OLF P ENNSYLVANIA ~ G OLF N ORTHEAST July 2016 Henrik Stenson Adam Scott Webb Simpson Call FJ Customer Service: 800-225-8500 www.footjoy.com July 2016 G OLF P ENNSYLVANIA ~ G OLF N ORTHEAST 3 U.S. Women's Amateur at Rolling Green Rolling Green Golf Club Hole #16 Rolling Green Golf Club Hole #12 By Mike Kern to 64. Wednesday is the opening round of match play. On Thursday there will be two rounds. Friday is the quarterfi- Rolling Green Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia (Spring- nals, Saturday the semis and Sunday is the 36-hole finale. field, Delaware County) is celebrating it’s 90th birthday this Admission is free, and spectators are encouraged to attend. year. The William Flynn-design, a Parkland-style course, has If you’ve never experienced match play before, it really is hosted one U.S. Golf Association championship before. That a different animal. Momentum can literally shift with one was in 1976, when when JoAnne Gunderson Carner won her swing. The 2005 U.S. Amateur at Merion was a prime ex- second U.S. Women’s Open by beating Sandra Palmer by two ample of that. It’s an exciting format, and one we obviously shots in an 18-hole playoff. don’t see much of any more. But if you’re a fan of the Ryder It was her eighth and final USGA title, the most by any Cup, this is similar. The only difference is the players aren’t female. competing for their countries or continents. But the prize is This August 1-7, the club will once again be hosting a ma- just as cherished. And you might get to see one of the up- jor. Only this time it’s the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which is coming stars. one of the oldest on the USGA schedule. It’s been around since “I can’t really describe how good it feels,” O’Sullivan said 1895. Carner won it five times, second only to six-time champion Glenna after her victory, which not only earned her the Cox Trophy but a whole bunch Collette Vare, who back in the 1920s and ‘30s was to the women’s game what of future exemptions. “To be able to come out on top is just incredible. It was Bobby Jones was to the men. just such a tough match. I feel so blessed.” The defending champion is Arizona native Hannah O’Sullivan, who beat She trailed by three holes through 15, but had drawn even eight holes later. fellow 17-year-old old Sienna Brooks, a Floridian, 3 and 2 in the final match She then took the lead and clinched it by making a 4-foot par putt on the 34th last year at Portland (OR) G.C. In May O’Sullivan became the world’s top- hole. Now she’s part of history. ranked amateur. She’s already made the cut in three LPGA majors. This is Pennsylvania’s 85th U.S.G.A championship, and the second of four Six players have won this championship three straight times, including Juli conducted in the state this year. The men’s Open was of course held at Oak- Inkster. Another seven have managed to at least repeat. mont. The Mid-Amateur will be at Stonewall Links (Elverson, Pa.), and the Rolling Green will provide a nice test, especially on the greens, many of Women’s Mid-Am at Kawkwa Club in Erie. Both are Sept. 10-15. which are three-putts waiting to happen even if you’re careful. Playing from The last Women’s Am in the commonwealth was 2004, at Kawkwa. The last below the hole is not a bad thing. The par-71 layout will play to 6,259 yards. one in the Philly area was the year before that, at Philadelphia Country Club. Both nines close with a par 5, one measuring 544 and the other 466. Interest- That was won by Virada Nirapathpongporn. ingly, the 17th is also a three-shotter of 469. A fourth par 5, No. 7, is 499. Seven other Women Ams have been held in the greater Delaware Valley. There are five par 3s, ranging from 147 to 195. The shortest par 4 is 340, the Sunnybook hosted in 1978, Merion four times (1904, ‘09, ‘26 and ‘49), longest 418. And yes, it figures to be hot. Whitemarsh Valley in 1934 and Philly C.C. in 1899. The first two days are stroke-play qualifying to whittle the field from 156 4 G OLF P ENNSYLVANIA ~ G OLF N ORTHEAST July 2016 “What golfers will enjoy at Huntsville is the beauty of the site and the way that the holes fi t the land so perfectly.” - Rees Jones, course architect Voted #5 Best Golf Course in PA by Golf Digest July 2016 G OLF P ENNSYLVANIA ~ G OLF N ORTHEAST 5 Pocono Golf Courses Ready for Summer Pocono Manor East Course 18th Hole Mountain Laurel Golf Course By John Zimich fairway to hit and a downhill drive. He said one of the toughest holes at Mountain Laurel is No. 9 with water guarding both sides of the fairway on the long uphill par-5. "It is a scary hole and you can't be Summer time in the Pocono Mountains includes golfing, hiking, biking, fishing or just relaxing and intimidated with the drive on No. 9,'' added VanBuskirk, Jr. "The second shot involves a long uphill one taking in the beautiful surroundings. And if you're a golfer the summer months is a great time to play so it just doesn't end with the water. courses like Pocono Manor, Mountain Laurel and Jack Frost National. Another gem to visit and south of "I really like our No. 10 hole that is very narrow. It requires accuracy and the green is surrounded by the mountains is Blue Ridge Trail. water. Putting surface slopes right to left. It's a short par-4 but it can be very tricky.'' Mountain Laurel Pocono Manor is being restored to its glorious past when legends like Art Wall, Jr., Julius Boros, Sam also has specials for golfers and tee times and further information is available by calling (570) 443-7424. Snead and Arnold Palmer played. The East Course is looking great and has been drawing rave reviews. Jack Frost National Golf Club is another outstanding golf course in the Pocono Mountains. Cover- "Honestly, the course is the nicest I have seen it in a long, long time,'' said Greg Wall, longtime head ing some 200 acres, Jack Frost National offers striking views and vistas. It sits at the crest of Jack Frost golf pro there. "Highgate Hotels, our management company, has been doing a great job in managing the Mountain and encompasses an elevation of some 2,000 feet. The course measures 7,200 yards from the golf course and inn. championship tees but is very playable for both the novice and most proficient golfers with several sets of "It's been exciting and the course is getting better and better. We're still very affordable and the word tees. Like the other Pocono courses, Jack Frost National has a full service pro shop and offers golf lessons. is getting out. People are coming back.'' The weatherman has cooperated this season and our course is in beautiful shape," said Robert Birk, Wall also noted that credit for the great condition of the course has to go to greens superintendent head golf pro. "Play has been very good and we're always being complimented on the condition of the Tom Stem and his staffers. course.'' A new pavilion and bar area has been added at the facility, adding more features to Jack Frost One of the unique holes at Pocono Manor is the 77-yard downhill seventh hole. The green there National. has been rebuilt and restored to its original contour. No. 7 is one of the favorite holes of those who play Seniors, within a 30-mile radius, on Mondays can take advantage of lunch and a beer for $35 with Pocono Manor. A cart path project is set to begin shortly. the price being $48 for those seniors outside of the 30-mile limit. Speaking of unique, No. 3, another par-3 hole, is one that is always talked about when discussing There are other specials being offered and golfers interested and also looking for starting times can Pocono Manor. The tee shot is a blind one to a bowl green. This shot brings one a little consternation call (570) 443-2414. since you can't see where the ball is landing. Wall The award-winning Blue Ridge Trail Golf said the course offers several specials, including $30 Course, featuring 27-holes, is located in the Nuan- for seniors Monday through Friday, ladies day, un- gola area of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Year after limited golf day and twilight golf. Further informa- year, it continues to draw rave reviews and awards. tion is available by calling 1-800-233-8150. "We're in beautiful shape,'' says Tony Barletta, Mountain Laurel is another great layout and is club manager at Blue Ridge Trail.