Saucon Valley Country Club
Encyclopedia
Saucon Valley Country Club is a country club
located near both Allentown
and Bethlehem
, Pennsylvania, USA
. The club's facilities include three 18-hole golf course
s and a six-hole beginners course. The Old Course has hosted five United States Golf Association
(USGA) tournaments, including the 1992 and 2000 U.S. Senior Opens
. In 2009, it was the site of the U.S. Women's Open
. Saucon Valley Country Club is also the home site of the Lehigh University
golf team. Two of Saucon Valley's 18-hole courses have made appearances on golf magazine rankings of top courses.
. Architect Herbert Strong was hired to design the Saucon Course, now known as the Old Course. Construction of the course concluded in 1921, and it officially opened the following year. The club elected to build a second course after World War II, due to an increase in membership. William Gordon was the architect, working with his son David. The first nine holes of the Grace Course, named after founding member Eugene Grace
, were finished in 1953; five years later, the last nine holes were completed. The Weyhill Course, the third 18-hole course built at the club, opened in 1968.
of seventy-one. Among its holes are three par-fives that are more than 550 yards. The Grace Course is a 7,091-yard par 72, which Links Magazine describes as "a big hitters' paradise". The Weyhill Course is a par-72 that measures out to 6,928 yards.
player Billy Maxwell
. In 1983, the Old Course hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur
; it was won by Tim Straub. Four years later, John Richardson won the U.S. Senior Amateur
at the club.
Saucon Valley hosted its first U.S. Senior Open
, a major championship on the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
), in 1992. With a four-day total score of 275 (nine-under-par
), Larry Laoretti
won the tournament by four strokes
over Dave Stockton
. The U.S. Senior Open returned to Saucon Valley in 2000, when Hale Irwin
won the event by three strokes; his total score of 267 (17-under-par) broke the tournament's scoring record. In July 2009, Saucon Valley hosted the U.S. Women's Open
, a major championship
on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA
) Tour. South Korean Eun-Hee Ji
made a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole of the tournament to win by one stroke. The course received a positive reception from players following the U.S. Women's Open.
The club serves as the site of home matches for the golf team of Lehigh University
, the college attended by Eugene Grace
, the president of Bethlehem Steel when Saucon Valley Country Club was founded. On three occasions—1996, 2003, and 2008—Saucon Valley hosted the men's golf championship of Lehigh's athletic conference, the Patriot League
.
s at the club, along with four swimming pool
s. Saucon Valley also has squash
and platform tennis courts.
named the Grace Course one of the "Top 100 Courses in the U.S." The course was selected as one of "America's 100 Best Classical Courses" by Golfweek
magazine each year from 1997 to 1999. The Old Course joined the Grace Course in Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses in the U.S." ranking in 1995; Baltusrol Golf Club
and Winged Foot Golf Club
are the only other private clubs that have had multiple courses on the publication's list. Golfweek placed the Old Course on its "America's 100 Best Classical Courses" annually from 1997 to 1999, along with the Grace Course. After renovations in preparation for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, the Old Course won the 2008 Best Remodel award from Golf Digest
magazine.
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
located near both Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
and Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, Pennsylvania, USA
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The club's facilities include three 18-hole golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s and a six-hole beginners course. The Old Course has hosted five United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
(USGA) tournaments, including the 1992 and 2000 U.S. Senior Opens
United States Senior Open
The U.S. Senior Open is one of the major championships in men's senior golf. It was first played in 1980 and is administered by the United States Golf Association and is recognized as a major championship by both the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour...
. In 2009, it was the site of the U.S. Women's Open
United States Women's Open Championship (golf)
The United States Women's Open Golf Championship, one of thirteen national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association , is one of the LPGA's major championships along with the LPGA Championship, the Women's British Open, and the Kraft Nabisco Championship...
. Saucon Valley Country Club is also the home site of the Lehigh University
Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
golf team. Two of Saucon Valley's 18-hole courses have made appearances on golf magazine rankings of top courses.
History
Saucon Valley Country Club was founded in 1920 by a group of local businessmen, mostly from Bethlehem SteelBethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
. Architect Herbert Strong was hired to design the Saucon Course, now known as the Old Course. Construction of the course concluded in 1921, and it officially opened the following year. The club elected to build a second course after World War II, due to an increase in membership. William Gordon was the architect, working with his son David. The first nine holes of the Grace Course, named after founding member Eugene Grace
Eugene Grace
Eugene Gifford Grace was the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945, and chairman of the board from 1945 until his retirement in 1957...
, were finished in 1953; five years later, the last nine holes were completed. The Weyhill Course, the third 18-hole course built at the club, opened in 1968.
Courses
The Old Course previously was a 6,799-yard course, but after renovations that added more than 300 yards of length, it is now 7,126 yards with a parPar (score)
The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...
of seventy-one. Among its holes are three par-fives that are more than 550 yards. The Grace Course is a 7,091-yard par 72, which Links Magazine describes as "a big hitters' paradise". The Weyhill Course is a par-72 that measures out to 6,928 yards.
Events hosted
The USGA has held five national tournaments at Saucon Valley Country Club's Old Course. The first USGA event played at Saucon Valley was the 1951 U.S. Amateur, which was won by future PGA TourPGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
player Billy Maxwell
Billy Maxwell
Billy Joe Maxwell is an American professional golfer.Maxwell was born in Abilene, Texas. He played college golf at North Texas State College and helped them win four consecutive NCAA Division I team championships . Maxwell also won the U.S. Amateur title in 1951...
. In 1983, the Old Course hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur
U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship
The United States Junior Amateur Championship is one of the thirteen U.S. national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association. It is open to amateur boys who are under 18 on the last day of the competition and have a USGA Handicap Index of 6.4 or less. The competition was...
; it was won by Tim Straub. Four years later, John Richardson won the U.S. Senior Amateur
United States Senior Men's Amateur Golf Championship
The United States Senior Men's Amateur Golf Championship is a national tournament for amateur golf competitors at least 55 years of age. It is operated by the United States Golf Association ....
at the club.
Saucon Valley hosted its first U.S. Senior Open
United States Senior Open
The U.S. Senior Open is one of the major championships in men's senior golf. It was first played in 1980 and is administered by the United States Golf Association and is recognized as a major championship by both the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour...
, a major championship on the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
), in 1992. With a four-day total score of 275 (nine-under-par
Par (score)
The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...
), Larry Laoretti
Larry Laoretti
Larry Laoretti is an American golfer.Laoretti was born in Mahopac, New York. After leaving the U.S. Navy he worked as a club professional, winning no tournaments of note until he was past 50...
won the tournament by four strokes
Stroke play
Stroke play, also known as medal play, is a scoring system in the sport of golf. It involves counting the total number of strokes taken on each hole during a given round, or series of rounds...
over Dave Stockton
Dave Stockton
David Knapp Stockton is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour....
. The U.S. Senior Open returned to Saucon Valley in 2000, when Hale Irwin
Hale Irwin
Hale S. Irwin is an American professional golfer. He is one of the few players in history to have won three U.S. Opens and was one of the world's leading golfers for much of the 1970s and 1980s. He has also developed a career as a golf course architect.Irwin was born in Joplin, Missouri, but was...
won the event by three strokes; his total score of 267 (17-under-par) broke the tournament's scoring record. In July 2009, Saucon Valley hosted the U.S. Women's Open
United States Women's Open Championship (golf)
The United States Women's Open Golf Championship, one of thirteen national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association , is one of the LPGA's major championships along with the LPGA Championship, the Women's British Open, and the Kraft Nabisco Championship...
, a major championship
Women's major golf championships
Women's golf has a set of major championships which parallels that in men's golf, but the women's system is younger and has been less stable than the men's. Many professional stroke play events for women are played over three rounds , but the majors are played over four rounds , which is the...
on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA
LPGA
The LPGA, in full the Ladies Professional Golf Association, is an American organization for female professional golfers. The organization, whose headquarters is in Daytona Beach, Florida, is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from...
) Tour. South Korean Eun-Hee Ji
Eun-Hee Ji
Eun-Hee Ji is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the U.S. based LPGA Tour. She is also a member of the South Korean KLPGA....
made a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole of the tournament to win by one stroke. The course received a positive reception from players following the U.S. Women's Open.
The club serves as the site of home matches for the golf team of Lehigh University
Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
, the college attended by Eugene Grace
Eugene Grace
Eugene Gifford Grace was the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945, and chairman of the board from 1945 until his retirement in 1957...
, the president of Bethlehem Steel when Saucon Valley Country Club was founded. On three occasions—1996, 2003, and 2008—Saucon Valley hosted the men's golf championship of Lehigh's athletic conference, the Patriot League
Patriot League
The Patriot League is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I) for a number of sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision...
.
Other facilities
In addition to its three 18-hole courses, the club has a six-hole Short Course, which is aimed at beginning golfers. There are 16 tennis courtTennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
s at the club, along with four swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
s. Saucon Valley also has squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and platform tennis courts.
Rankings
The Old and Grace courses have appeared numerous times on golf magazine listings of leading golf courses in the U.S. In 1995 and 1997, Golf MagazineGolf Magazine
Golf Magazine is a monthly golf magazine owned by Time Inc.. It was started in 1960 by Universal Publishing and Distributing, who sold it to Times Mirror in 1972. Time Inc. acquired it in 2000. It was the world's most widely read golf publication from August 2006 to January 2007. The magazine is...
named the Grace Course one of the "Top 100 Courses in the U.S." The course was selected as one of "America's 100 Best Classical Courses" by Golfweek
Golfweek
Golfweek is a high-end weekly golfing magazine, published in the United States. The magazine was launched in 1975 but was purchased by Turnstile Publishing Company, based in Orlando, Florida, in 1990 and has since become its flagship publication out of the five magazines it publishes...
magazine each year from 1997 to 1999. The Old Course joined the Grace Course in Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses in the U.S." ranking in 1995; Baltusrol Golf Club
Baltusrol Golf Club
The Baltusrol Golf Club is a private 36-hole golf club located in Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey. Among the many prestigious tournaments it has hosted, Baltusrol was most recently the site of the 2005 PGA Championship. The course architect is A. W...
and Winged Foot Golf Club
Winged Foot Golf Club
Winged Foot Golf Club is a 36-hole golf course located in Mamaroneck, New York. The course architect is A. W. Tillinghast, who also designed Baltusrol , Bethpage Black, Shackamaxon Country Club, San Francisco Golf Club, Cedar Crest Park, and nearby Quaker Ridge Golf Club and Wykagyl Country Club...
are the only other private clubs that have had multiple courses on the publication's list. Golfweek placed the Old Course on its "America's 100 Best Classical Courses" annually from 1997 to 1999, along with the Grace Course. After renovations in preparation for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, the Old Course won the 2008 Best Remodel award from Golf Digest
Golf Digest
Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
magazine.