Philadelphia has plenty to offer, even for those who aren't members

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia is sometimes described as having an inferiority complex. Right in the middle of the East Coast megalopolis that runs from Washington D.C. north to Boston, Philly often feels lost in the shadows of the Nation's Capital to the south and dwarfed by NYC to the north. But that inferiority complex does not extend to golf.

The Philadelphia region boasts some of the most highly regarded courses anywhere. Pine Valley is considered by many as one of the greatest golf courses in the world and it's located across the Delaware River in South Jersey. Merion Country Club is just outside the city along the "old-moneyed" Main Line. That's where Bobby Jones completed his Grand Slam in 1930 with a win at the U.S. Amateur.

Playing those courses and other great old clubs around the city is a rare treat. But for those relegated to public access, the past 10 years has seen a burgeoning market. Only a couple of the courses mentioned below were around prior to the past decade. Let's check out what's available in the Philadelphia region in South Jersey and Northern Delaware.

Must plays

Scotland Run Golf Club

It's a dramatic golf course that weaves its way through an old sand and gravel quarry. Designer Stephen Kay has crafted numerous memorable holes. The tenth is certainly among that number. It's a par-5 that isn't overly long, but the approach shot is visually intimidating. The green is elevated and sits behind a bunker that's walled by large railroad ties. The course is about 20 miles southeast of the city in Gloucester County, N.J.

Deerwood Country Club

Although it's about 15 miles east of the city in Burlington County, N.J., you get the feeling you're playing a Carolina low-country course. That "feeling" comes from the marsh which is a factor throughout your round. Wetlands come into play off the tee on the long par-4 fifth, which is the number one handicap hole. On the 16th, wetlands challenge the approach shot on another tough par-4.

Royce Brook Golf Club

This course is located about 50 miles northeast of Philly in Somerset County, N.J. There are 36 holes of golf, but only the East Course is open for public play. In order to score, you've got to keep it out of the sand, which is no small chore. Off the tee, on the approach, sand lurks everywhere and many of the bunkers are quite severe. The West Course has even more sand, but only the members have to worry about staying out of it.

Back Creek Golf Club

The course sits on a relatively flat and unspectacular piece of property. But the superior routing of the holes proves what you can do with a less than awe-inspiring venue. The course demands good shot making, especially the long par-4 thirteenth. To get home in regulation you'll be hitting a long iron or wood, which must avoid a pond that wraps around the left side of the green. The course is about 50 miles southeast of the city in New Castle County, DE.

Frog Hollow Golf Club

The course is just down the road from Back Creek and is owned by the same developer. The course has signature bunkering, irregularly shaped and with jagged edges. Save your strength for the eighteenth, a long par 5 with bunkering up the right side of the fairway off the tee. Then the second shot requires a decision -- try to clear a wide waste bunker, or lay up for a longer approach.

The best of the rest

Pine Hill Golf Club, Pine Hill, NJ, is easily one of the best courses in the Garden State and is sometimes called 'the public Pine Valley'. But alas, it's going private at the end of '03. Pennsauken Country Club, Pennsauken, NJ, is a sporty, if not overly difficult layout. Three Little Bakers Country Club, Wilmington, DE, has an odd name, but it's a highly regarded track. I feel compelled to mention at least one course within the Philly city limits. Cobb's Creek offers a masterful design by Hugh Wilson, who also laid out Merion CC. Unfortunately the conditioning of the city owned muni is often not very good.

Willing to put on a few more miles? Head to the Jersey Shore for all the upscale daily fee golf you can handle. Not far from the Atlantic City casinos, Blue Heron offers 36 holes of outstanding golf. The Seaview Resort offers 36 holes from the likes of Donald Ross and William Flynn. Twisted Dune, Harbor Pines, Shore Gate and Sand Barrens all have much to offer in the upscale daily fee category. They can be expensive, so you had better be lucky at the blackjack table.

Where to dine

Just a short jaunt across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, in Cherry Hill, NJ, visit Chick's Deli for cheese steaks so good you'll think you're in South Philly. In Delaware, Wilmington (the state's largest city) has a nice assortment of eateries. Restaurant 821 is well regarded for its contemporary cuisine.

Where to stay

Going upscale, The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia or the Hotel Dupont in Wilmington are good choices. Looking for something a little lower on the financial food chain? There are more economy lodgings than you can shake a credit card at. Visit gophila.com for listings.

Off course

These suggestions can go in one of two directions. Looking for a little culture? Philadelphia has a fine art museum (Even the less cultured will remember it from the film Rocky; that's where Sly ran up the steps and danced around.) Just down the parkway from the Philadelphia Art Museum is the Franklin Institute. It's geared toward hands-on learning games and displays of kids. If your tastes run more toward adult games, there are the casinos of Atlantic City. The Borgata is the shiny new crown jewel of the East Coast's gambling mecca, having just opened the summer of 2003. Delaware offers horse racing at tracks that also have slot machines.

If You Go

Scotland Run Golf Club,
Williamstown, NJ
(856) 863-3737,
www.scotlandrun.com

Deerwood Country Club,
Westhampton, NJ
(609) 265-1800,
www.deerwoodcc.com

Royce Brook Golf Club,
Hillsborough, NJ
(888) 434-3673,
www.roycebrook.com

Back Creek Golf Club,
Middletown, DE
(302) 378-6499,
www.backcreekgc.com

Frog Hollow Golf Club,
Middletown, DE
(302) 376-6500,
www.froghollowgolf.com

Pine Hill Golf Club,
Pine Hill, NJ
(856) 435-3100,
www.golfpinehill.com

Pennsauken Country Club,
Pennsauken, NJ
(856) 662-4961,
www.twp.pennsauken.nj.us

Three Little Bakers Country Club,
Wilmington, DE
(302) 737-1877,
www.tlbinc.com

Cobb's Creek Golf Club,
Philadelphia, Pa
(215) 877-8707

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club,
Galloway, NJ (609) 965-4653,
www.blueheronpines.com

Marriott's Seaview Resort,
Absecon, NJ (609) 748-7680,
www.marriott.com

Twisted Dune,
Egg Harbor, NJ
(609) 653-8019,
www.twisteddune.com

Harbor Pines Golf Club,
Egg Harbor, NJ
(609) 927-0006,
www.harborpines.com

Shore Gate Golf Club,
Ocean View, NJ
(609) 624-8337,
www.shoregategolfclub.com

Sand Barrens Golf Club,
Swainton, NJ (609) 465-3555,
www.sandbarrens.com

December 11, 2003