My Golf Spy

My Golf Spy
My Golf Spy Forums

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Cannon Ridge Golf Course


 
 
“Cannon Ridge Golf Club”...a place synonymous with excellence and perfection. Cannon Ridge was a dream created by a man famous for his vision, Deane Beman. Take that vision and combine it with the perfect piece of land, and you get Cannon Ridge Golf Club. Factor in the historical significance of the property and you have THE premier golf destination in the Mid-Atlantic.   
 
Opened in 2003, Cannon Ridge is a Par 71 layout measuring 7,010 yards from the back tees. The greens, tee boxes, and fairways are L-93 Bent grass, while the rough is a combination of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass.   Spread out over 200 acres of historic Virginia countryside, Cannon Ridge Golf Club is a great place to invite all your special clients, V.I.P.’s, or even just  good ‘ol Dad out for a round of golf.  With 5 sets of tee boxes to choose from, it makes Cannon Ridge enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.


Golf at Cannon Ridge and stroll through history
The Beman Course is the first of two courses to be built at Cannon Ridge Golf Club. A second private membership course will be built later. Deane Beman, former PGA Tour player and Commissioner of the PGA Tour, wanted to preserve the history and flavor of the rolling countryside on the site picked for his course. “This course was built on existing terrain that has a very natural feeling to it,” Beman says. After all, this is a magnificent site bordering the Rappahannock River and lined with huge pines, oaks and maples that now frame the fairways and greens. Cannon Ridge takes its name from the fact that the Civil War battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was fought near here on Dec. 11, 1862, on a ridge above the Rappahannock River. The Union Army found that itself out-matched at the time by the Confederates led by Robert E. Lee. To commemorate what happened here, our designers marked 26 spots with special plaques where there are remnants of cannon revetments – places where the Union Army set up cannon to provide cover fire for its troops. There were also some holes where Union soldiers had dug out huts for winter shelter.  Extraordinary measures were taken to preserve as much of the site as possible.  Deane Beman wanted people to think that this course was built 100 years ago.  Great concern was also shown here for aiding the pace of play, Beman says. “We built old-style push-up greens here that are smaller than many modern greens. There are no plateaus but you can still have breaking putts. We wanted smaller greens because we believe most slow play results from spending too much time putting on the greens,” he says. To book a tee time call 866-85-RIDGE
 
There are five sets of tees here on the par-71 Beman Course with the Gold Cannon tees, the tips, playing at 7,010 yards. Then there are the Black tees at 6,570 yards; the Blue at 6,035; the White tees at 5,650; and the Red at 4,950. Players on this course will find that Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are fun and challenging holes, he says, holes that can help players ease their way into the round. But Nos. 4, 5 and 6 can be a tougher stretch and test of skills. No. 4 is a downhill par-3 (228 from the back tees, 190 from the middle and 125 from the forward) that has what is probably the largest green on the course. As you hit a lofted shot toward the green, you can bail out to the right, even though there is one bunker there. But you don’t want to miss on the left as the slope falls off about 50 to 75 feet from the green. There are beautiful elevation changes at Cannon Ridge.  Another strong hole is the par-4 No. 5 (461 yards from the back tees, 400 from the middle and 340 from the forward). The hole plays right in front of you as do most of the holes except for one blind shot on No. 2. You’ll need one of your better drives of the day on No. 4, and you’ll have to contend with some fairway bunkers on the right. No. 6 is a long par-4 (493 yards from the back, 410 from the middle and 345 from the forward) but requires a fairly straight shot traveling downhill, thus making the hole play seem a bit shorter than its actual length.You’re going to find your tee shot to be pretty exhilarating on the par-4 No. 8 (389 yards from the back, 330 from the middle and 270 from the forward). It’s also a drive that requires some fundamental golf decision-making. The hole moves slightly to the left from tee to green and running across the middle of the fairway is a sizeable ravine. If you’re capable of a huge drive, say 290 to 300 yards, you might be able to carry the ravine on the left side and leave yourself with a short iron to the green. Most players might choose to bail out to the right, where there is less chance of losing your ball but more distance to travel to the green on your approach shot. To book a tee time call 866-85-RIDGE
 
The back nine is so strong that it makes it hard to pick out favorites. No. 11, a par-3 that measures 187 yards from the back, 135 from the middle and 80 from the forward tees. If you hit long or right, you’ll find your ball going downhill into a huge drop off.  You can make a 2 here or a 10 and must get the right club into your hands! The par-5 No. 12 (551 from the back tees, 490 from the middle and 445 from the forward) is another unique hole. There’s a rolling fairway that looks as if they just peeled off the corn field and put in grass. The par-4 No. 13 (431 yards from the back tees, 380 from the middle and 325 from the forward) moves up an uphill slope. You need to tee off over a ravine with a large bunker on the left so it’s a challenging tee shot onto the fairway which has slope from right to left. If that’s not enough to contend with you have to hit into a very small, elevated green for your approach shot. No. 14 is a short enough par-4 (366 from the back, 325 from the middle and 260 from the forward) that seems as if it could be drivable par-4. After all, it’s also a downhill hole. But there are lots of risky spots out there, so Players are advised to lay back with a long iron or a fairway wood off the tee. The problem is that the river is on the left side of the fairway. And you also have to carry a ravine on your approach shot. It’s crucial here to keep your ball in play.  It’s a neat hole and you have a lot of options here.  Just to the left of the green here, you’re also going to find some of those historic cannon emplacements. The last three holes are great finishing holes, and Deane Beman has picked the par-5 No. 16 (575 from the back, 530 from the middle and 470 from the forward) as his signature hole. You drive to the top of a hill with a grand sweeping valley below you and the fairway then goes way down and comes back up again. No. 17 is a par-3 (179 yards from the back, 130 from the middle and 80 from the forward) that requires you to carry a ravine. The green complex has some mounding on the left so that you can see the ball hit and bounce, but you can’t see where it goes. There’s also mounding behind the green. 

Although this is a challenging course, it’s not going to leave players feeling defeated.  There are not alot of manufactured hazards and there is hardly any water out there to go along with the natural ravines. Deane Beman said, ‘I’m trying to build a golf course, not an obstacle course. This is an interesting course and a challenging course. It’s not a backbreaker.”
 
 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Links at Gettysburg

Course Overview
Your round at The Links At Gettysburg will take you up and down the rolling Pennsylvania hills, with lakes and creeks on almost every hole and dramatic red rock cliffs that form the backdrop for some of the most memorable holes you will ever play.
 
One of those is the 3rd, the signature hole, a dramatic par 3 from an elevated tee to a large undulating green that fronts a red rock cliff. Hit the ball too far and you'll find the large trap in front of the cliff. Leave it short and you'll hit the creek in front of the green. This 187 yard hole is a daunting test of golf.
 
A few holes later at #7 you'll find a 600 yard par 5, with large lake water hazards left and right, guarding a narrow fairway. You can play anything from a 5 iron to a driver off the tee to avoid the water. If you fade your drive, you can play into the slight dogleg, and have a makeable shot to the elevated green. Just stay clear of the water hazard, which runs for about 100 yards along the driving area.
 
Every golfer is familiar with Augusta's Amen Corner. The Links At Gettysburg has its own! The excitement starts at the 13th, a 450 yard par 4 guarded by a large lake to the left and a river to the right. Keep it straight and you'll have a chance to hit the green in regulation, but the large undulating surface makes 3 putts very possible.
 
The 14th is a 589 yard par 5 with a river running the length of the hole on the left. Keep it right and you'll have a chance for par if you can avoid the greenside bunkers.
 
The 15h is the longest par 3 on the course, 233 yards from the tips to a large trap guarded green with water running down the left side of the hole and trees to the right. Play it right to avoid the water and use enough club to reach the green.
 
The imposing 16th is almost as difficult, an extremely long par 4 with water hazards left and right. The 18th is a shorter par 5 and an eagle opportunity, but only if you can avoid the ponds on the left and right and three bunkers that guard the left side of the green. A large red rock wall lines the back of the green with the clubhouse above, presenting the opportunity for a dramatic finish to a friendly gallery.
 
The golf at the Links At Gettysburg is truly spectacular, with water on almost every hole, elevated tee shots to greens fronting red rock cliffs; blind doglegs and undulating greens making the putting difficult even after you've managed to escape the hazards. Striving to shoot par at The Links is a supreme challenge and a rewarding experience every golfer should have. The Links At Gettysburg is a brilliant championship course and truly, "Golf's Gettysburg address."
 


 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Penn National Golf Club & Inn

Welcome to Penn National Golf Club & Inn

Penn National is located 20 miles west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania , 90 minutes from the Washington and Baltimore Beltways and 3.5 hrs from New York City--all with easy access from major highways.  Our two award-winning golf courses, Founders and Iron Forge, have both been awarded 4-starby Golf Digest.  Play us for the day or "Stay & Play" a couple of days with one of our Golf Packages.
 
 
36-holes of Award-Winning Golf
 
The Founders Course features a classic blend of tree-lined fairways, large greens, sculpted bunkers and a 7-acre lake. The Iron Forge Course is a modern links-style course with bentgrass Kman_golf_group_hires_499_x_336fairways, 30-mile views, and open to the forces of nature. Both courses start from the Founders Clubhouse with its modern, fully-stocked pro shop, Founders Grille restaurant, and practice area.











The Founders Course   FOUND8_250_x_226
During the 1800s, iron ore was mined from the land that is now Penn National. When that ore ran out, the land was farmed until the 1960s, when agriculture gave way to golf course development. In 1966, prolific course designer Edmund Ault was hired to lay out the Founders course as a classic, Northeastern-style masterpiece with large contoured greens and tree-lined fairways.

The Founders Course was opened in 1968 and updated in 2006 with an extensive bunker and tee renovation.  With trees lining most of the holes, Founders can be demanding off the tee but everything is there in front of you--nothing is blind or tricked-up--you know what you have to do, but can you pull it off?  A 7-acre lake comes into play and makes things interesting on several holes on the front and back sides.  As with all well-laid-out traditional courses, Ault turns up the heat at the end, saving the best and the toughest for the 5-hole stretch starting at the par-5 14th!

Golf Digest rates the Founders Course 4-Stars, Zagat rates it 27 points. (Note: Bethpage Black is Zagat's highes-rated Northeast course w/ 30 pts)



The Iron Forge Course
109624_250_x_169 Iron Forge was designed by architect Bill Love and opened for play in 1997, almost 30 years after its sister course. The Iron Forge is visually stunning with 30-mile views of the surrounding farmland and mountains.  It starts nad plays toward the Michaux State Forest, in the foothills of South Mountain, and makes a single loop home, passing through a variety of terrain that offers exciting golf and breathtaking views.


In contrast to the Founders Course, Iron Forge is nearly treeless. It will let you grip it and rip it from the tee but the greens and surrounds place a premium on shots to the green and the flatstick.  There is also the the mysterious "Mountain Effect" that takes contol from the 4th through 11th holes--your eyes will tell you one thing on the greens but just remember that speed and break are controlled by the Mountain!

During the construction of the Iron Forge course, a small lime kiln was uncovered. Dating back to the early 1800s, this kiln is located behind the 9th green. It has been preserved, and guests are welcome to visit there and learn more about early iron making, and its role in the area's history.

Golf Digest rates the Iron Forge Course 4-Stars, Zagat rates it 25 points.



Monday, November 7, 2011

The Bridges Golf Club

 

 

Welcome to The Bridges Golf Club

homepic2.jpg The Rolling Hills of South Central Pennsylvania are home to the historic Gettysburg battlefield, New Oxford antique shops, Lancaster County Amish and...

The Bridges Golf Club

Our Public 18 hole, par 72 golf course boasts premier course conditions, superb all-turf practice areas, finely appointed guest rooms, quality pro shop, restaurant, and a gorgeous view of Adams County countryside. Enjoy Golf in it's purist form at The Bridges.



  
   "15th best course you can play in PA" - Golf Magazine

homepic3.jpg"Four Stars"- "A hidden gem"-"Cross it!" - Golf Digest

"This course is the definition of a hidden gem, and a great value to boot" - Golf Week

"An honest, fair test of golf; no tricked-up excesses and gimmicks" - Tee Time Golf

"100 must play courses of the Middle Atlantic" - Washington Golf Monthly

Rated in top 100 places to play - Golf For Women Magazine

"Top Pick" - Powers Golf Guide reader survey








Course Information & Layout

Completely watered bent grass tees, greens and fairways are always finely manicured and open to the public. With four sets of tees, this south central Pennsylvania gem offers a variety of options to all levels of play.

The course is a 6,713- yard, par-72 layout designed by Charles & Fred Altland.  Its setting is on a former horse farm owned by the Bross family, with 14 wooden bridges (including one covered bridge on No. 2) crossing mostly environmentally sensitive wetlands, though some creeks and lakes do come into play.  The beauty of the Bridge's layout is the fact that there are really no brutal holes, though many of them will give you more than your fair share of trouble if not properly attacked.

The front nine is the more wooded of the two and generally considered the more difficult. It includes the only real forced carry off a tee on the course (No. 2), and a par 4 that sits precariously on a crowned fairway that leaves very little room for error either right or left (410-yard No. 6).  The ninth hole, a 430 yard uphiller, to the clubhouse, is a monster, as shown by its No. 1 handicap rating.

The back nine is a little more open, with no forced caries. There are times, however, that proper club selection is essential to prevent from landing in one of the environmental hazards or bouncing a PRO V off one of its popular wooden bridges. One of the better holes on the back nine is the 534-yard, par-5 No. 15, which has woods and out of bounds down the right side and an old dead tree about two thirds of the way down the fairway. This turns out to be one of the narrower holes on the back and a challenge trying to navigate your way to the green. The 18th hole parallels No. 9 back to the clubhouse but is a little more generous in that it is a par 5 stretching 540-yards mostly uphill.
 
 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Mountain Green Golf Course

Mountain Greens Golf Course was opened in the summer of 1976. A challenging 18-hole championship design provides golfers a true test of mountain golf. Breathtaking views of our mountainous terrain, foliage, and natural wildlife are sure to enhance each and every one of your golfing experiences.

Over the last few years, Mountain Greens has endured two renovation projects. In 2003, the back nine was completely renovated and reopened in July of 2004. In 2006, the front nine was renovated.
Mountain Greens Golf Course closes each winter season. All play is re-directed to Woodstone Meadows Golf Course during this time. Dates are subject to change due to inclement weather. Be sure to call in advance for more information.

Mountain Greens Pro Shop

The Golf Shop at Mountain Greens comes fully stocked with the latest trends in golf apparel. Ashworth, Foot-Joy and Ahead are just a few of the name brands that will be on display. From designer belts to logo shirts, we are sure to have the perfect gift to help you remember your Massanutten experience.


Hours

Mountain Greens Pro Shop is currently open each day from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Contact information

For more information, please call Mountain Greens Pro Shop at (540) 289-4941, resort extension 5041, or send an e-mail.