Oh little town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has a great old golf course, and it’s called Green Pond.
Nearing it’s One Hundred Years old birthday, Green Pond Golf Course is fine example of classic Parkland-style golf that’s open year-round and open to all and is our pick this issue for a “Must Play”.
A favorite among area golfers for generations, Green Pond is an Alex Findley designed masterpiece nestled neatly, and almost beautifully, in the rolling scenic countryside of PA’s Lehigh County a short drive from Allentown and East Stroudsburg.
At Green Pond, you’ll get the country club experience you want, without the exorbitant prices and membership commitment. Known affectionally as “The Public’s County Club” and measuring anywhere from 5,326 yards to 6,382 yards, and with weekday greens fees going only about $58 with a cart, and $74 on weekends, Green Pond Golf Cours offers players from both near and far an early 20th Century golfing experience with a distinct country club feel for all players of all skill levels to paly and enjoy 365 days a year.
“Green Pond is just a great course that’s simply a joy to play,” said Green Pond’s 33-year PGA professional, and 2003 Golf Digest “Best Teachers in Pennsylvania”, John Kulhamer.
“Built in 1929 by the great Scottish architect Alex Findlay, Green pond is a wonderful example of the classic, old early 20th Century golf brought to America by the early Scottish pros, like Donald Ross, featuring a challenging, but fair, layout.
It’s tree-lined, plays only about 6,200 yards, and has a nice variety of short and long holes, doglegs, and a little of everything you would expect.”
Home of the Lehigh Valley Amateur Golf Tournament, begun in 1934, same year as the opening of The Masters’ Invitational at Augusta National, and postponed for 1941-1945, for World War II, just like The Masters, the Lehigh Valley Amateur will tee off for it’s 90th time beginning on September 17th and through September 29th.
“We can’t wait for this year’s Lehigh Valley Amateur,” said Kulhamer. “ This will be our 90th annual tournament, like The Masters. It’s one of the oldest Amateurs around.
Steve Klumper is going for his third straight Lehigh Valley championship. We’ve had six Back-to-Back champions in the past and none since Jim Reynolds in the 1940s, and Steve is trying for Back-to-Back-to-Back for the first time.
We usually have more than 400 competitors. Last year was a little down, with only about 370-some players participating, but we’re back to over 400, probably because it’s the 90th. It’s shaping up to be exciting championship. We’re all really looking forward to it.”
Players in this year’s LV Amateur, and any other player any other day, and time, of the year will really enjoy playing the Findley designed golf course. A fan of the old Scottish masters, I thoroughly enjoyed my walk around the Findley course, and I know that you will, as well.
The course hits you right off the tee with the nearly 600-yard long Par 5 2nd hole. A straight-away Par 5, playing 541 yards from the Whites. The hole features Out-of-Bound all down the left with trees all the way down the right.
“Two is a terrific Par-5,” said Kulhamer. “ You have room to the right, and can still make par, and maybe even birdie, from there. But six is not a bad number on that one, either..”
The best stretch at Green Pond, and maybe Kulhamer’s favorite part of the course is the Close of the Front Nine, holes 8 and 9. Both Par Fours, and going about 400 yards, each, Holes 8 and 9, featuring Findley’s signature subtle doglegs to the right, these two holes will challenge the good golfers, demanding accuracy off the tee and well-struck second shots from distance on their approach. When you play Green Pond, you’re playing one of the old-style golf courses by one of the original Scottish golf course architects from that Golden Age.
If you enjoy the challenge of playing an absolute classic from the early days of American Golf, make sure to give Green Pond a try. Tee it high and let it fly!
For more information go to www.greenpondcc.com
