Saucon Valley - Weyhill

[nickdamm]

I was lucky enough to play Saucon Valley's Weyhill course yesterday. For those that don't know, Saucon Valley is located in Bethlehem, PA and hosted a number of USGA Championships including the 2009 US Women's Open. There are three full-length 18 hole designs there.

 

The Weyhill course closed in Fall 2009 for renovations, and reopened about 7 weeks ago in May.

 

Article

 

This is one of the more beautiful and scenic pieces of land I've had the pleasure to play golf on. I've played most of the Philadelphia area great courses, with the exception of Pine Valley and Merion, and I think this may have been my favorite.

 

Weyhill has it's own entrance and clubhouse, off a private lane. There is a bed and breakfast guest house, where members can host guests. I had a chance to look around the rest of the property a little bit, and it's quite an impressive complex. I don't know the acreage, but it must be massive, there is a lot on the property and nothing seems squeezed in at all.

 

I didn't think it was the most challenging test of golf, but you have to make some shots. The greens were rolling slow (I think they are still babying them because they are new) and could pose much more of a challenge if they were quicker and firmer. 16 (par 3 in picture 1), 17 (par 4 in picture 2), and 18 (par 5 not pictured) make for a great closing stretch.

[NickHVCC]

The place looks incredible. Thanks for the write-up.

Is there anything else in the area you would compare it to? The pictures make it look a lot like Moselem Springs GC. Your first pic looks very much like #5 over there.

[BNich0622]

That course looks gorgeous. I wish I could afford play at places such as this. Not only that., I wish there were courses like that around me!

[motoo344]

My girlfriend lives around the corner from Saucon Valley,. I have wanted to play there but that is not going to happen.

[babbaboey]

Are you a member at HVCC? I just played an AJGA thing there.

[nickdamm]

Yes, I'm a member at HVCC. How was the course for the AJGA? The greens weren't great on Saturday.

[nickdamm]

NickHVCC is a member there too, he and I are good friends.

[CAT GOLFER]

I have played Weyhill pre and post renovation.

Pre:

The greens were quick and firm, I had more than a few putts roll off greens.

Post:

They didn't change a whole lot superficially, or at least it seems that way. If I didn't know they had changed things I wouldn't have known better. The renovation was done very well. The course was/is very visually appealing, and much more as fall rolls in and the leaves change color. I agree with nickdamm, it is a great course.

A bit of history, it used to be almost exclusively private to the late CEO of Bethlehem Steel. I have heard many times that if he was playing on one 9, nobody else could be playing that same 9. I have played harder courses, from the perspective of brutal punishment for out of position shots/rough, I would say Weyhill is very playable, but requires some mental processing on a few unique holes.

[babbaboey]

The greens were fine. Quick and really smooth for aerated. [quote name='nickdamm' timestamp='1313065424' post='3472789']
Yes, I'm a member at HVCC. How was the course for the AJGA? The greens weren't great on Saturday.
[/quote]

[jimmyjames]

I know the caddy master a SVCC...hoping to peg it up there this fall

[babbaboey]

Which one, Dave or Andy?[quote name='jimmyjames' timestamp='1313151098' post='3476688']
I know the caddy master a SVCC...hoping to peg it up there this fall
[/quote]