A buddy of mine caddied for Gil Hanse about a month ago at PV and he said Gil said that they were still scheduled to go ahead with the resto-vation this winter.
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I don’t think they’re even letting people out on that side. I played the Olde Course last Saturday. They just switched to walking only, unless you have a cart membership and or you’re handicapped in some way.
All the greens were in really good shape other than 4 which looks like its been torn-up twisted and turned over on top of itself. Basically it looked like a sandbox.
Haven’t played the Kong since I was on the High School golf team.
An old news article credits Herbert Barker as the designer of the original 9 at Pocono Manor, not Ross. Barker was the pro at Garden City and redesigned Mayfield in Cleveland, which was considered one of the best courses in the country at the time. Flynn definitely designed holes 7 through 16, but most of his bunkers were taken out. Also, Flynn originally designed the 7th hole at 115 yards on the other side of the road.
Looking forward to playing there, as it sounds like a solid course with cool history and some very quirky holes. Does it play as narrow as it looks? Hoping to check out The Scoturn as well.
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Glad you are sticking with that plan! Again, conditioning dependent I don’t think you will regret it. I would say overall it’s actually a lot more open than it may look in pictures. There’s no doubt it’s a woodland course but the corridors are very playable and there’s a few nice open sections. You’ll notice some vestiges of how the re-routing was managed when you get to 4 green / 5 tee, which used to be either 9 or 18 green (not sure) and the first tee. They have a really nice, almost Himalayas-esque putting green up there that is nowhere near where the current clubhouse is but I believe is where the old one used to be. That 5th tee shot is probably the most target-y one out there along with 17 because it is a massively down hill iron shot where long is into the creek protecting the green. There are some very interesting par 3 tee shots, the one you mentioned at 7 and an unorthodox mega-punchbowl at #3 (unorthodox in that there is no backend to the punchbowl, it funnels in from the front and sides and is so deep it’s totally blind).
Overall it’s just a course I’ve had a lot of fun at over the years and look forward to getting back out on with my Dad, his buddy, and my brother as soon as we can make it work.
Yeah #3 is a total goofball of a hole, since it’s a punchbowl of a green…that you don’t even see. Elevated tee box, and you can see folks standing on the 4th teebox, overlooking the 3rd green.
When I played it, a guy on the tee at #4 yelled to hit it short right at the edge of the hill and just let it trickle down to the green. (Not that I did that, but it is what was suggested)
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Not a bad play at all for sure. In fact, it’s all the better to ere a little right since #4 tee is definitely in the danger zone for a pulled tee shot from #3!
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Figured I’d add to the Cobbs talk…saw this article in the Inquire this weekend. Course closing end of the month when the contract with Billy Casper ends, then opening back up in 2023.
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Damn I won’t be back until mid-November so it looks like I will miss my chance to play it one last time pre-restoration. Doesn’t sound like I’m really missing much but want the clearest picture in my head of how it was before hopefully a grand and successful reopening.
Pictures aren’t great, but I snuck out yesterday and played likely my last round there (cost was $17 on Golfnow with fees/taxes!). Since it’s only walking it was pretty quiet out there.
Here’s the 600 yard, par 5 14th from the tee:
And here’s the 175 yard, par 3 17th from the top tees:
And from the green looking back to the tee box if you can guess where it is! (I 3-putted).
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Was 3 still a temporary green?
bummer, hoping to move to Philly early next year… and I don’t know anything about public golf in the are… but this looked like a place I would be playing a lot.
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Yes, it is too far gone, especially since they’re closing down in a few weeks. All other holes were in tact.
Jeffersonville should be on your short list.
Anyone that wants to hit up Cobb’s this month, maybe we can get a little goodbye (for now) meetup going?
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Let’s look at the positives: it’s gonna be AWESOME when it’s done. This city deserves a top quality muni and it looks like we’re set to get one.
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When I moved away in late 2018 they looked like they were nearing the end of bringing that tee box back. Bummed I never hit one from up there but this is an original hole and that tee appears in the plans so hope is not lost! Was a fun tee shot even from the lower tees but that one is WAY up there!
And that is a VERY 3 puttable green so no shame haha.
Thanks for the pics. If I could tie it to some kind of closing-related activity on the new house maybe I could swing a meetup…
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Are you all in the Philly WhatsApp chat? I may float a small meet up idea there and I’ll run it back here. All this rain today is not going to be good for it.
Separate from the RACDG
Schedule might be tough for October but could try for a meet up
Tell us more about the WhatsApp chat for those that are not already involved.
It’s the R&ACDG Liberty Bell chat. It’s not super busy, but John Manos from GAP is on there and there are some cool photos/meet up opportunities. DM me if you want a link.
If it helps, was in a similar position to you guys a few years ago. New to the area looking for a place to join after getting fed up with the public scene around Philly. Joined RG 3 years ago and it was the best golf decision I have ever made. Course is unreal and the membership is as fun as can be. If you have any questions feel free to reach out
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