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Craig_Rokke

  • Karma: +0/-0
$20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« on: September 02, 2002, 07:45:18 AM »
The Bedford Springs Hotel played host to 4 presidents
(Harrison, Polk, Taylor and Buchanon), and enjoyed many years of prominence, dating from 1804. Though Ross designed, or at least remodeled their course, I had never heard of Bedford Springs until T&L Golf listed it as one of Ross'
best daily fees.

The hotel has been closed for some 15 years--and it shows.
Though impressive, it is in major disrepair, casting an eerie
presence over the golf course. You can almost imagine
the scene out of The Shining where Nicholson thinks he's walking into a 1920's ballroom.

The fee was $20 very well spent. With 6 par 5's, it stretches out to 7000 yards at a par of 74.  From the first hole,  blind , & 310 yards uphill,I had a feeling what I was in for.

The par 3's were particularly memorable. The 2nd hole was a drop shot 115 yarder over a small pond (did  Ross likely put
in the series of very small grassy knobs there?) Another one shotter called for a 160 or so yard uphill shot over a very deep chasm, to a very interesting tiered green cut out of the hillside. The Volcano hole at #16, is the signature. It plays
150 yards straight out, and then another 50 up a 5 story
natural "mound". Needless to to say I was ecstatic when I parked my 5 wood 15' from the stick.

The rest of the holes, were all decent to good, though some of the fairways were a bit scruffy in spots. A few of the holes shared the same look, but all called for careful ball placement in order to get the best look at the green. I wondered if
many of the very low profile bunkers belonged to Ross. They were some of the shallowest I've ever seen.

The strangest bunkers I saw were what I would call "planter bunkers." These 4 bunkers fronting the volcano hole were boxed in on all 4 sides with ties.



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:09 PM by -1 »

Chris_Blakely

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2002, 08:52:43 AM »
I played Bedford Springs about a month ago and very much enjoyed my round there.  I believe that Ross remodeled 9 holes and added 9 new ones.  This most likely the case as all the greens are not on the smallish side like Ross traditionally did, it varies from one hole to the next.  I was also able to talk to the superintendent, Sharon Bushey and she told me that the course sat dormant for a couple of years as owernership was in limbo as to what to do with it.  I also noticed the "planter bunkers" on the 16th hole.  Their also is a planter bunker on the par 3 tentch hole which plays to 115 yards and plays over a deep valley to a green built into a hillside.  Two other very interesting holes that are worthy of mention are the 1th hole which is a 443 yard par four that has its tee box sitting on the same large hill as the tenth green and has a great elevatd view of the entire course and some of the surrounding hills/mountains, clubhouse and old hotel.  I also liked the par 4 17th which uses a natural ridge as its boundary between the ar 5 4th and itself along the entire left side.  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Craig_Rokke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2002, 11:14:00 AM »
I liked #11 as well. It's a nicely rolling hole, that features the  views you mentioned. A well-struck drive can gain quite a few extra yards by reaching the crest in the fairway and heading downhill.

The course itself is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, just
a turnpike stop away from where the miners were recently rescued.

Seeing the abandoned hotel made me wonder how the other older hotels in PA are fairing. Buck Hill closed years ago
and is in decay, Galen Hall burned years ago and was never rebuilt. And the heart shaped tubs of Mt Airy were drained just last year, I believe.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Steve Wilson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2002, 11:47:53 AM »
Craig,
        
          I'm not all that far from Bedford Springs.  A couple of hours, and I wonder how crowded the course is.  I wouldn't mind popping over there if 36 in a day was possible.  I enjoy collecting old courses like this when I can.  Thanks for any help you can provide.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Some days you play golf, some days you find things.

I'm not really registered, but I couldn't find a symbol for certifiable.

"Every good drive by a high handicapper will be punished..."  Garland Bailey at the BUDA in sharing with me what the better player should always remember.

Craig_Rokke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2002, 12:42:59 PM »
Steve-
Though it was sprinkling Sunday, I doubt if there were more than 6 or 8 groups on the course. I somehow don't see the course getting packed too often. That certainly is a nice change of pace!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

WilliamWang

Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2002, 05:56:24 PM »
craig,

where is this course?  bucks county?

by the way, i was able to get up again to pa today and played wyncote.  i would have called you but it was kinda last minute.

will
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Steve Wilson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2002, 06:31:49 PM »
William,

The course is in Bedford and is closer to Pittsburgh than Philadelphia.  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Some days you play golf, some days you find things.

I'm not really registered, but I couldn't find a symbol for certifiable.

"Every good drive by a high handicapper will be punished..."  Garland Bailey at the BUDA in sharing with me what the better player should always remember.

GPazin

Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2002, 08:19:21 PM »
Will -

Bedford is about 2 hours due east of Pittsburgh on the Turnpike - Exit 11 if I remember correctly.

Craig -

Glad you had fun - sorry I couldn't join you guys. $20 sounds hard to beat. I'll have to head out sometime soon. Par 74? Can't imagine there are too many of those around. Sounds like the bunkers have shallowed over the years - Ran's profile of Wilmington shows before & after for a likely similar situation.

Is there a par 5 that's over 600 yards?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Chris_Blakely

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2002, 05:02:09 AM »
Par 5 yardages are as follows

Fourth 563 yards
Fifth 549 yards
Ninth 494 yards
Thirteenth 598 yards
Fifteenth 575 yards
Eighteenth 575 yards

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Craig Rokke

Re: $20 Well Spent At Bedford Springs GC
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2002, 07:55:13 AM »
As a group, the par 5's were pretty good. From the back tees, the angles got noticeably more difficult on a number of them.
The #18 hole in particular was a very good finisher.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

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