Wyncote Golf Club built in heathland tradition

OXFORD, Penn. -- The Wyncote Golf Club is located about 50 miles west of Philadelphia in Chester County, but the feeling is decidedly Scottish. Even the name, Wyncote, is a Scots' word meaning "windy cottage."

In the late 1980s, owner Jim Pepple decided to convert his family dairy farm into a golf course. He was in discussions with course architect Brian Ault of Ault, Clark and Associates about developing a traditional parkland style course. Just before signing off on the plans, Pepple made a trip to Scotland and fell in love with the tree-less, no nonsense approach to course design. And so Wyncote was built in the links tradition, but not being near the sea, it's more accurately described as heathland.

Pepple also decided to follow what was then a fairly novel concept in golf course development. Pepple wanted to build a course that golfers would be willing to travel an hour or two to play. He was pioneering "upscale daily fee" golf in southeastern Pennsylvania. The 2003 season marked Wyncote's 10th anniversary of operation and people have been making the trip to its rural locale ever since to have a go at this challenging loop.

Both the outgoing and incoming nines begin and end with par-5 holes. The first and 10th holes share a green and the fairways are divided by a lake, which represents most of the water that comes into play on the course. Many of the holes are shaped with mounds and moguls. And while few trees come into play, if you stray too far from the fairway you can get into some very wiry grass that can easily cost you a shot. The greens don't have a lot of severe undulation, but they are hard and fast and provide more than enough putting challenge for most.

The first hole is one of those openers that can yield a birdie, but with water short and left you can also post a less attractive number to begin your round. A big tee shot can give the longer hitter a chance to go for the green in two. The more prudent will lay up, but the closer you get to the green, the narrower the fairway. Lay back too far and you can bring a couple of fairway bunkers into play. The first is an indication of the kind of decisions you'll have to make all day. While it has it's share of "grip-it-and-rip" type holes, there are many that require a more thoughtful approach.

The third hole is one that requires some contemplation while on the tee. The short par-4 calls for something less than a driver from the tee. The fairway is split by wetlands just inside 100 yards to the green. If you reached the first green in two, you might want to try driving the wetlands to set up a lob wedge to the green, but that attempt will bring some unpleasant possibilities into play.

The 5th hole is another tricky short par-4. First you've got to avoid a bunker just off the right side of the fairway and right where many drives will land. The green is pitched back to front. If the pin placement is down front, you're better off short and not on the green then above the hole in the middle of the green.

The front nine finishes with a tough par-5. Its long and uphill and you've got to hit the fairway. Go left and there are moguls. Fade right and it falls away well below the level of the fairway and into impossibly thick grass. The green is protected by a trio of traps. Short and right of the green is a collection of half a dozen small bunkers in two rows of three. It just looks like the kind of quirky thing you'd see in Scotland.

On the back nine, the 12th hole is another strategic short par-4. It tempts the long hitter to cut across wetlands that split the fairway, and if successful be left with a short pitch. Take the safe route and the approach is tough. The tabletop green sits above the fairway and you might need to negotiate the corner of a pond, wetlands and two well placed greenside traps.

The round concludes with an interesting uphill, but short, par-5. The best line off the tee is directly over a bunker left of the fairway. A solid drive will again provide some temptation to go for the green. Come up short and you can be left in one of several bunkers or in some of the tough grass that seems to be everywhere if you've been fighting your control. The safer route is the smarter play and can leave you with a relatively easy chip to go for the bird to cap off your round.

Wyncote plays more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, one of four sets of tee boxes. From the whites it plays just over 6,000 yards with a slope of 118 and a rating of 70.0.

Wyncote provides solid golf on several levels. There is the aforementioned risk-reward. It appears to come up from the land naturally, not imposed on the landscape. And there is the feeling if you've played it once, you'll think you can do better the next time.

The course provides all the accoutrements of a "country club for a day" experience. It has plenty of practice facilities, friendly greeters at the bag drop, informed starters and a well-appointed clubhouse and pro shop.

Orientation

Wyncote Golf Club is located on Route 10 in southern Chester County, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia. From the city you can take Route 30 west to Route 10 south or Route 1 south to Route 10 north. The course is also about 50 miles northeast of Baltimore. Take I-95 north to 272 north to Route 10 north.

Where to stay

Try the Hilton Garden Inn in near by Kennett Square. Call (610) 444-9100 or visit their Web site at hilton.com.

Where to dine

The Ball and Thistle Pub right inside the clubhouse is a good choice. There is a chef and a sous chef, both culinary school trained. The bill of fare includes good steaks and a highly regarded Maryland crab cake.

Off course

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is the former private estate of Pierre du Pont. Its 20 outdoor gardens and four acres of flowers and plants inside heated greenhouses have been open to the public for a half century. The impressive grounds also feature huge water fountains where outdoor concerts and fireworks displays are held. Visit longwoodgardens.org.

Also a short drive from the course is the Strasburg Railroad in Strasburg. You can take a 45-minute ride on an authentic steam locomotive through the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Phone (717) 687-7522 to find out more about the oldest short-line railroad in the country.

If You Go

Wyncote Golf Club
50 Wyncote Drive
Oxford, Pa 19363
(610) 932-8900
wyncote.com

April 28, 2005

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.