Played the front.
Didn’t skip one there, but I do like to skip my approach on #5 at overlook.
I used to live in Millersville and did the CCC punch card in 2018. Enjoyed the course. A lot of dog leg holes and raised greens. Could argue having the easiest opening hole in the county(overlook/four seasons would have an argument for that title as well, while Bent Creek IMO is the hardest opener). Anyway, 2018 was a very rainy year so the holes that have the creek running through would often be closed. That was really the only bad thing. To my knowledge they put down rye grass in those areas to tolerate the extra water. I played there this past fall and the landing areas down on 8,9,10,12,13 looked drastically better. My advice if you do it would be to confirm the whole course is open before you use up one of your rounds.
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Can also confirm that the CCC punch card is a great deal, though not sure they’re doing it again in 2020 because they’re not in as much financial trouble. If they are, i’d go for it. I played there a few times in 2019 and it was in great shape.
Going to Penn National in May for a golf weekend. We were not able to stay onsite.
Tell me about it? Which course is better?
I typically play in a couple of HDGA Tournaments:
http://www.hdgolf.org/tournaments.asp
First one of the year I always try to play in is the Greenskeeper’s Revenge at Dauphin Highlands. Crazy format, but a lot of fun.
Both courses are totally different. I live about 15 minutes away and played collegiate golf (NBD) at the PSU branch campus nearby. Founders is a traditional northeast layout with mature trees and is pretty easy to walk. Both 9’s have a good mix of scoring holes and challenging holes. It’s one of my favorite courses. Iron Forge is a true links layout that can play super long from the tips, especially with any wind. In mid summer the greens are typically rolling 12+ but in May it will be far from being baked out. Wonderful diversity between the courses, you’ll definitely enjoy.
Not much in the way of nightlife in the surrounds but the proshop recently renovated the bar inside, which has a nice assortment of brews. Nearby Waynesboro or Chambersburg have some breweries and other options for getting out in the evening. The bars near the course will let you know that you’re not a “regular”. Hope that helps, have fund and enjoy the best courses Franklin County has to offer. Crack On
Thanks for the info
Hoping this trip can still happen
Did everyone’s courses decide to comply with Governor Wolf’s recommendation? My club is closed, but allowing members to play if they walk.
Same here (Kennett Square)
Our pro still wants us to use Foretees to record our round and that they’d be monitoring for guests. Not sure how or why. At this point, unless it becomes and issue (and in my area I would be shocked if it did), who really cares who shows up to play.
FYI, Penn National has been staying open. They sent a rather defiant email yesterday saying they were staying open even with the governor asking all non-essential businesses to close.
Lancaster County checking in. Member at Conestoga CC, former Royal Manchester member. Keep me in mind for meetups.
Anyone been out yet? My neighbors played at Fairview last Sunday and said that it was as crowded as they have ever seen. I have not played yet, but I am chomping at the bit - really just can’t justify it yet though unless there would be an option available for my wife to get an equitable amount of time away from me and the grem…err, the kids.
Haven’t been active on here in awhile (LIFE!) so hey @thekid33 and hey Cent. PA! I walked 9 at Royal Manchester last Saturday. Teed off at 5:02p and the parking lot looked like a normal weekday, so not as crowded as I expected. I have a 4YO and 6-week old and my wife was begging me to get out of the house last weekend. I definitely owe her!
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Like 4x a week since February. CCC was open for “exercise use” for members only during the shutdown. Cops came a few times and basically said if they’re not open (which they weren’t), then they can’t force them to prosecute trespassers. It’s a good thing I got out, too, because I went from shooting my club-low in March to the worst round I’ve had in years end of April. Gettin’ those reps babay.
If anyone ever wants to join me at CCC for a fun day of having to shape almost every tee shot, punching out, being blocked out in the fairway, and hitting out of 6" rough, hit me up.
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I should add that Mondays are my best day to play right now, and the club is closed. It’d be great to get a little fourball match going on a Monday at a public course.
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I was able to sneak out two times this past week at Armitage (in Mechanicsburg), and damn it felt so good to be back out again. On Monday I teed off as a single at 5:30 and finished 18 right as it was getting dark. Played again as a single on Thursday but the course was a little more crowded and was only able to get in 14. I will say that all the time without golfers had left the course in pretty good shape. The greens were still on slower side, but the fairways were great. The rough was also as thick as I have ever seen it.
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I’ve been out with my wife and friends 3 times since the courses have opened at Foxchase, Overlook, and Four Seasons in Lancaster. Foxchase was pretty crowded but Four Seasons and Overlook weren’t too bad. Guessing those two courses not offering carts or push cart rentals yet cut back on the crowd sizes. Either way felt great to be back out there again.
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SCENE REPORT- I can confirm Overlook is still walking only. Course is in its usual solid condition, greens slightly beat up and a little slower than normal. I played Four Seasons as well, which was in fantastic shape. They always keep the grass there a little longer, rough, fairway, greens, which I’m sure helps with conditions. My buddy told me they are allowing carts now. They added some run-off areas around some of the greens, which look nice and it’s long enough where the ball doesn’t stray too far away. I’m sure it’s meant to help pace of play, because if you just miss a green, you have a nice easy lie. Meadia Heights is in good shape as well, they removed some more trees, but because of a few windy rain storms last month it pushed back aerification, due to clean-up and tree removal. The greens and fairways are finally on the mend. Today though…I have always had a soft spot for The Host so I went to see Howard(legend) and it was something else. If you’re a firm and fast fanatic, you need to get to the host now. The course looked in about as good of shape as it’s been in years, but it’s as hard as a rock(unintentionally, of course). Also, the new 18th hole, which has been in the works for years(I’ve affectionately started calling it “Chinese Democracy” or the next Wrens album, which you music fans will appreciate) is still not open, but appears to have a punch bowl green…I kid you not.
But if you’ve never been to the host, it was for years the best public option in Lancaster. It still has cool variety and routing, but it’s been a constant struggle for the last 10 years. The effort has been better in recent years. Unfortunately, you never know what you’re going to get when you show up, but that’s part of the fun. Like today, I showed up, and instead of seeing 6 inch rough, everything’s short and super bouncy. My buddy and I walked from the whites, but from the tips would have been even more fun trying run long irons up on some greens. My guess is lack of irrigation and aerification qualify as the culprit. I can only guess what it will look like if the weather stays relatively dry for the next 8 weeks, but the 2018 open championship presented by her royal majesty comes to mind. Today, I witnessed a 6-some in individual carts, a lot of Amish(ascension day) and a guy walking barefoot,carrying his bag like a briefcase. It was great. Playing Groff’s Farm this weekend, trying to get to Pilgrims soon.
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Ugh, playing Groff’s? The bane of my existence. 17 of the best routed and designed holes on a public course (maybe private, too) in the entire region; one awful hole (9th). Add horrible greens and bunkers, and it’s the most frustrating course to play. The definition of a course that COULD be amazing.
When you play this weekend, stand on the tee of #14 and imagine rock hard fairways, smooth greens, DEEP cut bunkers with fluffy sand, and tall grass grown close to the fairways. Imagine how amazing that hole would play. Do you try to run driver up close? Do you hit iron knowing it still could run out into the rough or hit one of the bunkers? Instead, you hit driver as hard as you can, and it doesn’t matter AT ALL where you end up because you’ll have a little wedge onto a soft green out of whispy 1" rough that doesn’t punish you at all. Imagine that approach even from the fairway with a back pin knowing the ball will bounce and roll off into the hazard behind if you fly it to the hole. Instead, you can just plug it as close to the hole as you want.
Okay, rant over. This is basically a segment from a long-form essay I wrote on why this course could be a top notch, destination course with minimal work. I played there Monday, and I’ll probably be back in a few weeks. I can’t help myself.