Philadelphia boasts some of country's most highly regarded courses

PHILADELPHIA -- Philly (as those who are from here prefer) and the surrounding region are steeped in history. In town, visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed, if you weren't in school that day). In the 'burbs, stop by Valley Forge, where Washington wintered and Washington's Crossing, where he did just that on the Delaware River on a Christmas night to win one of the biggest battles of the Revolutionary War.

That's the history lesson. What about the golf? The golfing tradition in the region is one of outstanding private clubs. But, during the past 10 years, those without membership (or invitation) have seen a dramatic improvement in the quality of public golf. Here's a rundown of what's available near Philadelphia in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Must Plays

The Golf Course at Glen Mills

This Bobby Weed design is ranked the best public course in the state by Golf Week. It's about 15 miles outside of town in Delaware County, built on the grounds of, and run by, the Glen Mills School for Boys. It's a private school where young men who've run afoul of the law are sent to regain the straight and narrow.

The course plays in and out of trees and through a narrow valley. The greens are large and some have extreme undulations. The bunkering is old style, with irregular shaping and surrounded by uncut grasses. Hole No. 8 is the definition of a great short par-4 with an impossibly narrow green.

The course also has a strong collection of par-3s.

Tattersall Golf Club

Tucked amid the rolling horse farms of Chester County, Tattersall Golf Club is a major-league offering from designer Rees Jones. It's a big course which occupies a large tract of land, 350 acres. This course features major elevation changes and you better calibrate your shots accordingly. Hole No. 6 is a prime example of the course's collection of tough par-4s. It's a long, sweeping dogleg left. Hit a good drive and you'll still be looking at a difficult approach with plenty of trouble to avoid. Do not play this course if you want to walk. I'm told it's been done, but I'm not sure I believe it.

Downingtown Country Club

This is the only course in the 'Must Play' category to have been built pre-1990. It's a 1968 vintage George Fazio layout. The design was strong, but the course condition was terrible until a major facelift in 1995. The result was like the restoration of a classic car. Traditional design elements make for a fine parkland experience.

Management encourages golfers to walk here. The cart fee is not included in the greens fee, and it is set high to encourage many people to hoof it.

Downingtown is in Chester County about 25 miles west of Philly.

Wyncote Golf Club

Its as close as you'll come to Scottish golf in the Keystone State. Trees don't much factor into the golfing equation here, but you have to judge the wind and stay out of the tall grasses and difficult bunkers. Holes 1 and 10 are par 5s which share the same green.

The course is 50 miles west of Philly in Chester County.

Center Valley Golf Club

The course is a tale of two nines. The front plays mostly open, while the back winds through trees in the traditional parkland style. The par-3 second hole is an early test of nerve. It's short, but it's all carry over a pond. The 17th hole is a short par-5 with a hard-to-hit landing area (some think unfair). Find the right spot and you can reach the green with an iron.

Spend time on the putting green before your round. The greens feature some big-time undulations and it's good to know the speed.

The course is 40 miles north of town in Lehigh County.

The Best of the Rest

The Tom Fazio-designed Hartefeld National in Avondale would easily be included above, but it's going private in '04.

Honeybrook Golf Club in the town of the same name is a solid, moderately priced option.

Hickory Valley Golf Club in Gilbertsville offers 36 holes; the Presidential is the stronger of the two 18s.

Locust Valley in Coopersburg was once private, but now offers the masses challengingly tight tree-lined fairways.

A slightly longer road trip can produce additional outstanding courses. Head out to Amish country to play Pilgrim's Oak or Springwood. Near Reading, famous for its factory outlet stores, play Golden Oaks or Galen Hall. In the Lehigh Valley to the north, give Olde Homestead a try.

Where to dine

Philadelphia is blessed with one of the best collections of restaurants in the country. Dinner at the much-touted Le Bec Fin will require you part with several Ben Franklins (a famous Philadelphian whose picture is on the $100 bill). A much-touted Philly Cheese Steak at the legendary Geno's can be had for several George Washingtons.

Where to stay

If you ate at Le Bec Fin, you'll probably want to stay at the Four Seasons downtown. If you're on a 'cheese steak' budget, there are a range of options throughout the region. Stop by gophila.com to get the lowdown.

The Philly golf experience has deep roots. It ranges from haute private clubs, to high-end daily fee courses outlined in the 'Must Play' category, to numerous mid-range and muni courses.

Philadelphians seem to have a reputation for not being terribly friendly (probably from the oft repeated 40-year-old story about Eagles fans booing Santa Claus, who was having an off year). All you have to do is play a round of golf with some Philly guys (or gals) to find out that could not be further from the truth. But leave your Dallas Cowboys head covers or New York Mets cap at home to avoid booing on the first tee!

If You Go

The Golf Course at Glen Mills,
Glen Mills (610) 558-2142.
glenmillsgolf.com

Tattersall Golf Club,
West Chester (610) 738-4410.
tattersallgolfclub.com

Downingtown Country Club,
Downingtown (610) 269-2000.
golfdowningtown.com

Wyncote Golf Club,
Oxford (610) 932-8900
wyncote.com

Center Valley Club,
Center Valley (610) 791-5580.
centervalleyclubgolf.com

Hartefeld National Golf Course,
Avondale (610) 268-8800.
hartefeld.com

Honeybrook Golf Club,
Honey Brook (610) 273-0207.
honeybrookgolf.com

Hickory Valley Golf Club,
Gilbertsville (610) 754-7733.
hickoryvalley.com

Locust Valley Golf Club,
Coopersburg (610) 282-4711.
locustvalleygolfclub.com

Pilgrim's Oak Golf Course,
Peach Bottom (717) 548-3011.
pilgrimsoak.com

Springwood Golf Club,
York (717) 747-9663
gothamgolf.com

Golden Oaks Country Club,
Fleetwood (610) 944-8633.
americangolf.com

Galen Hall Country Club,
Wernersville (610) 678-9535.
galenhallcountryclub.com

Olde Homestead Golf Club,
New Tripoli (610) 298-4653.
oldehomesteadgolfclub.com

September 14, 2003