Penn National Thoughts

[glenametz]

Just a single golfer looking for a quick getaway in mid-late September.  Probably arrive on a Monday, stay 2 nights, get 4 rounds in and head home.  Driving from NY, so no issues with quarantining due to COVID.  Pricing is pretty great with meals included.  Anyone been lately?  Any idea when they'd punch the greens?  How's the food at the lodge?

 

Anyone have other recommendations within a 5ish hour drive of Western NY.  I considered OCMD, but that's a little far.  Thought about Cooperstown/Leatherstocking and other area courses, along with a visit to the Baseball HoF.  I'm worried pricing will be very high because of all of the leaf peepers coming up for the fall.  

 

Thanks folks.

[cristphoto]

Penn National is nice - 36 holes there (Founders and Iron Forge) and hotel.  Two completely different style courses.  If you wanted 4 rounds try adding Links at Gettysburg. Its about a half hour east in Gettysburg.  Decent layout.  The Bridges (in Abbottsville, near Gettysburg) is also nice and has a hotel associated with it.  Gettysburg has a lot of hotel and dining options unless you plan on getting a package at Penn National.  Not a lot of other nice selections in that area. I've played all four over the last two years. Late September they might start to have the colors popping out.  

[NCLancer]

My wife and I did a stay and play (plus dinner) at Penn Nat'l Founders a few summers ago.  The room was big but basic and the meal was from a limited menu.  The food was okay.  The course was in great shape and had a nice mix of holes.  We have discussed returning as the people all were friendly and it was an efficient operation.  The pro shop/restaurant/lodging folks know their business as it's not a 5-star place but it is a solid 3 stars.

 

Might I suggest a trip to the Lake Placid area?  Lake Placid Club has 45 holes, Saranac Inn is a beauty, and Craig Wood is okay.  A trip up to Malone brings in another nice 36 or with a jaunt to Plattsburgh you can play historic Bluff Point and Adirondack. 

 

Have a fantastic trip and keep us posted on your travels.

[glenametz]

10 hours ago, cristphoto said:

Penn National is nice - 36 holes there (Founders and Iron Forge) and hotel.  Two completely different style courses.  If you wanted 4 rounds try adding Links at Gettysburg. Its about a half hour east in Gettysburg.  Decent layout.  The Bridges (in Abbottsville, near Gettysburg) is also nice and has a hotel associated with it.  Gettysburg has a lot of hotel and dining options unless you plan on getting a package at Penn National.  Not a lot of other nice selections in that area. I've played all four over the last two years. Late September they might start to have the colors popping out.  

 

I was thinking the Links at Gettysburg for an afternoon round.  Of the two courses at Penn, which would you choose to play twice?

 

9 hours ago, NCLancer said:

My wife and I did a stay and play (plus dinner) at Penn Nat'l Founders a few summers ago.  The room was big but basic and the meal was from a limited menu.  The food was okay.  The course was in great shape and had a nice mix of holes.  We have discussed returning as the people all were friendly and it was an efficient operation.  The pro shop/restaurant/lodging folks know their business as it's not a 5-star place but it is a solid 3 stars.

 

Might I suggest a trip to the Lake Placid area?  Lake Placid Club has 45 holes, Saranac Inn is a beauty, and Craig Wood is okay.  A trip up to Malone brings in another nice 36 or with a jaunt to Plattsburgh you can play historic Bluff Point and Adirondack. 

 

Have a fantastic trip and keep us posted on your travels.

 

Thanks for your feedback.  Big and basic rooms are fine with me, I'm traveling solo.  Okay food, with it included in the package, works as well.  

 

I looked into the ADKs, and I vacationed about 45 minutes south of Malone a few summers ago.  My issue with that time of the year up in the ADKs is everything is stupid expensive.  When I add in food, gas to drive to each place, and cost of golf, I don't know if I can do better then Penn.  I'm going to reach out to the Lake Placid Club and see if they do packages though.  

[cristphoto]

Of the two PN courses I prefer the Founders. Its traditional layout with tree lined fairways.  The Iron Forge is the newer course and is British Links style - no trees (or very few).  The time of year you're planning I'd go with the tree'd course for the beauty.   

[NCLancer]

@glenametz  Any updates on your trip?  Hopefully you were able to "Escape from New York"!

 

[glenametz]

I ended up cancelling, and went to Disney World for a week instead.  I would like to go to Penn National though one fall.  I think next year will be Pinehurst, maybe 2022 I can do Penn.