Northwest Pennsylvania Golf this weekend

[DaveP043]

I'm driving up to Grove City, PA for a bout a week of work, and I'll definitely have Sunday off.  I'd appreciate any recommendations for golf in that general area.  I'm on my own with all day to kill, so I won't mind a half-hour drive or maybe more.  If anyone in that area is looking for another player, I'd like nothing better than to fill that gap.

Thanks

[iacas]

I'm driving up to Grove City, PA for a bout a week of work, and I'll definitely have Sunday off.  I'd appreciate any recommendations for golf in that general area.  I'm on my own with all day to kill, so I won't mind a half-hour drive or maybe more.  If anyone in that area is looking for another player, I'd like nothing better than to fill that gap.

Thanks

http://oaktree-cc.com

http://whisperingwoodsgc.com

http://www.cranberryhighlands.com/

http://www.avalonlakes.com

http://www.birdsfoot.com

I can attest to the quality of those courses (particularly for the price). I live and work an hour north of Grove City.

Never been to any of these three but I've heard people say decent things about them: http://www.golfgreenmeadows.com .

[DaveP043]

What a surprise, the two courses that seem most attractive to me are the furthest to drive to.  If I was to pick either Birdsfoot or Whispering Woods, does one stand out above the other?

[iacas]

What a surprise, the two courses that seem most attractive to me are the furthest to drive to.  If I was to pick either Birdsfoot or Whispering Woods, does one stand out above the other?

They're all good. Whispering Woods is here by me and Golf Evolution in Erie, and right up 79.

Don't overlook Oak Tree, either. It's just across 80. I usually try to play it once a year.

[DaveP043]

Thanks again.  I'll make a few phone calls once I get in town and figure out what to do.  I'll be sure to come back with my impressions and experiences after the weekend.

[DaveP043]

I think I'm set.  I called Oak Tree, and apparently nobody is playing on Mother's Day.  I'm playing at 8:50, and I have no idea if I'll have any company.  I hope I do, just for pace of play, and of course to make a new friend.  If anyone is in the area, especially you, Erik, and wants to join me, you know when and where.

[DaveP043]

OK, I'm back in my hotel room before 1 PM, which is good and not-so-good.  I got to Oak Tree just after 8, to see a foursome teeing off on 1.  I warmed up on the range, putted, chipped, etc, and didn't see another soul come in, so I set off on foot.   I really enjoyed the golf course.  A very traditional layout, lots of mature trees, pretty good shape.  The greens were moderate in size, with some nice contours.  I was on the wrong side a few times, and had no chance to chip it close.   I didn't play all that well, but I really enjoyed the course.  The only down side was that there really was nobody to play with.  I played through the foursome, and didn't see more then 4 other players well in front of me.  I finished by noon, and went in to have a beer, and I was the only one in the bar.  Even on Mother's Day, around DC a course this nice would NEVER be this empty.

Erik, thanks for the recommendations, this one lived up to my expectations, and more.

[iacas]

OK, I'm back in my hotel room before 1 PM, which is good and not-so-good.  I got to Oak Tree just after 8, to see a foursome teeing off on 1.  I warmed up on the range, putted, chipped, etc, and didn't see another soul come in, so I set off on foot.   I really enjoyed the golf course.  A very traditional layout, lots of mature trees, pretty good shape.  The greens were moderate in size, with some nice contours.  I was on the wrong side a few times, and had no chance to chip it close.   I didn't play all that well, but I really enjoyed the course.  The only down side was that there really was nobody to play with.  I played through the foursome, and didn't see more then 4 other players well in front of me.  I finished by noon, and went in to have a beer, and I was the only one in the bar.  Even on Mother's Day, around DC a course this nice would NEVER be this empty.

Erik, thanks for the recommendations, this one lived up to my expectations, and more.

So what you're saying is that… people in DC don't care about their mothers, while people in western PA do?

I'll take it!

(Oak Tree isn't in the best location, as you may have noticed. I'm glad you enjoyed the course.)

[DaveP043]

I make no judgement about the relative levels of adoration for mothers.  I just know that MY mother understood that golf came first, and that I'd call her when the round was over.  For better or worse, I've never had children, so my wife is a mother only to our cat.  Anyway, she was at the golf course too, just not the same one I was, seeing as how I'm working away from home at the moment.

Anyway, it was nice to play a new course, and an enjoyable one at that.

[imsys0042]

For anyone who finds this thread and is in this area, or visiting, I can definitely say that Cranberry Highlands, Oak Tree and Birds Foot are all nice courses and all have their very positive points.  I've not played the others mentioned, but will have to put them on my list.   A big shout out to Birds Foot for two reasons from me.   First, my local country club screwed up my tee time a couple of years ago on a Friday (it was a Saturday time).   They were nice enough to listen and squeeze me in when my own club wouldn't.   Second, last year I shot my low round ever there and I think it's a gem of a course.

[drewneddy]

Check out Treasure Lake Resort in DuBois, PA. It's on mile marker 101 on I-80. Resort courses. Gold and Silver. Very nice and a great value. Good pace of play compared to the 6hr rounds you will find at Cranberry Highlands.