Lehigh Valley InSite

Lehigh Valley golf can't be beat ... especially next year!

Recently I've been really busy at work putting together Lehigh Valley travel packages for next year, and I got to thinking about which package I'd choose if I were traveling to the area. Since I'm a golfer, I'd probably choose the Lehigh Valley Stay & Play Golf package.

Given my job, I may be a bit biased, but this package really is great because it makes planning a Lehigh Valley golf experience easy. All I'd have to do is ...

1. Call the hotel to book my room.
2. Tell the hotel which participating course I want to play at and they'll set up my tee time.
3. Check into the hotel and pay for everything.
4. Hand in a voucher from the hotel at the course and hit the links.

Another reason I'd pick the Stay & Play package is because we got two new courses in the program for next year. They are both private clubs, but they're opening up their doors (or should I say greens) for this program only.

The first is Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville. I've played this one a few times and I must say that it is quite challenging. The course is super long at 7,090 yards. I would never consider walking this one, but I've seen people do it! It also offers an excellent all-grass practice range to warm up on. 

The second, my former home club, is Blue Ridge Country Club in Palmerton. This is a fantastic course with a beautiful layout and awesome views. Speaking of views, I've seen lots of wildlife on the course, from deer, bear, tortoise, all kinds of birds, weasels and raccoons to name a few. The course boasts 6,683 yards from the gold tees but you need to be precise to hit the greens - most of them are pretty small.

Are you still playing this year or are your bags in storage for the season?

25 years in Lehigh Valley - then vs. now

Last night the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated 25 years in the tourism business, so I thought I would do a little compare and contrast of tourism events and attractions. Here's Lehigh Valley 1984 vs. Lehigh Valley 2009.

* Pro baseballin Lehigh Valley was in the middle of a very long drought in 1984. The last major league affiliated team, the Allentown Red Sox, left town in 1960 (interesting fact: the Allentown Red Sox played at Max Hess Stadium, which is where the Lehigh Valley Mall is now located). Now we have the hugely successful AAA Philadelphia Phillies associated Lehigh Valley IronPigs, which arrived in 2008, and play in Allentown's beautiful Coca Cola Park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on the IronPigs here.) 

* Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. 1984 was a big year for Dorney Park. They were recovering from a fire that destroyed many buildings and rides the year before but also celebrating their 100th anniversary! Obviously, 25 years later Dorney celebrated another anniversary, their 125th, and is now a top notch amusement and water park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on Dorney Park here.)

* Golf. Lehigh Valley used to be a tough place to get a tee time 25 years ago with only 7 public courses:
* Willow Brook Golf Course (9 holes at the time)
* Twin Lakes now Iron Lakes Country Club
* Green Pond Country Club
* Allentown Municipal Golf Course
* Bethlehem Golf Club
* Locust Valley Golf Club
* Wedgewood Golf Course.
25 years later, I'm happy to say we are a hacker’s paradise. Since 1987, Lehigh Valley has doubled in public golf courses. 
* 1986 Indian Creek Golf Course
* 1992 Center Valley Club
* 1993 Southmoore Golf Course
* 1993 Whitetail Golf Club
* 1995 Olde Homestead Golf Club
* 2004 The Club at Morgan Hill
* 2006 Riverview Country Club.

I think I'm going to continue this comparison next week. Not sure on who or what yet, but I will dig up some goodies though so stay tuned.

In the meantime, what changes have you noticed in Lehigh Valley over the past 25 years? 

October rules in Lehigh Valley

October is one of my favorite months of the year in Lehigh Valley. And it’s not just one thing that makes it so great. I love October because it’s my birthday month, there's an incredible display of leaves changing with the weather, and Halloween ... there’s just something about being scared that puts a smile (or should I say scream) on my face.

With Dorney Park's Halloween Haunt already checked off my list, here’s the rest of things that I still would like to do this month:

1. Play a round of haunted mini golf at Dorney Square in Allentown. FYI, watch out from below!

2. Go check out one of Lehigh Valley’s newest haunted attractions: The Devil's Folly Haunted Barn. I even get in free because my birthday is this month! Have you been there yet? It sounds like a blast.    

3. Go Mutsu apple picking at Strawberry Acresin Coplay. These apples make for some awesome pies.

4. Head to Emeril’s Chop House at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem for an awesome birthday dinner! Yum, I can taste it already.

5. Sneak in one last round of golf at Allentown Municipal Golf Course, one of my local favorites.

6. Check out Saw VI, which comes out October 23, at Rave Motion Pictures Promenade 16 in Center Valley. I’ve not been to this theater yet, but I hear it's sweet!

Are there any other October activities in Lehigh Valley that I should check out?

A golf outing at The Architects Golf Club

Sometimes my job has some pretty good perks. Last week I was offered to play in a client appreciation golf tournament at The Architects Golf Club in Pohatcong, NJ (right across the river from Easton, PA). Adams Outdoor Advertising, one of the local billboard companies with a branch in Lehigh Valley, was my gracious host. The weather was a little iffy that morning, but it actually turned out to be a pretty nice day out there. 

I've played Architects Golf Club several times, and although it's challenging, it really is a "must play" course. Architects is definitely unique for our region; it's a 6,863 yard, par 71 course and each of its holes was designed by a different architect.

The course was a little wet when we played due to the rain the night before but all-in-all it was in great shape. One of my favorite things about Architects Golf Club though is the setting. When standing at the absolutely beautifully done clubhouse, it is like you can see miles of rolling hills that makes the perfect backdrop.

The clubhouse area is also something to talk about. I love the elegant rich wood that adorns the interior. The Thyme Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or to hold an event. The windows lead out to the incredible views and to a bluestone patio area with seating. The food has always been good too and the staff is very accommodating.

So here's my shout out to Adams ... thank you for continuing to host your golf tournament at The Architects Golf Club, regardless of the economy. And to Brom, sorry I played like a rat! I'm glad we didn't finish last! And, to any of you who haven't had the chance to play Architects Golf Club ... what are you waiting for?

Bear Rock Junction: Good golf and more!

This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. In my mind, there's no better way to walk summer to the door than by doing one last "summertime" activity - go play mini golf!

Previously on Lehigh Valley InSite, Putt U as been called out more than one occasion as a favorite mini golf spot. But Lehigh Valley has more than one stellar mini golf course. In fact, during my daily commute from New Tripoli to downtown Allentown, I pass three of them:

1. Dorney Square, just down the road from Dorney Park,
2. Liber-Tee, next door to the Holiday Inn Conference Center, and
3. Bear Rock Junction, my personal favorite.

Bear Rock Junctionis nestled at the base of the Blue Mountain in the northwestern-most corner of Lehigh Valley. I consider it unique in that its theme is "old West gold rush" rather than windmills and clowns (a la Happy Gilmore).

Bear Rock Junction is comprised of two18-hole courses complete with large faux boulders, water features and old-time wooden train trestles. There's even a steam train that encircles both courses that you can ride after your round.

I've played both courses - neither being easier than the other. But I will say that if you're looking for a chance to feel like Tiger Woods, Bear Rock Junction has several holes where getting a hole in one isn't just a dream. In one round, I've made as many as three holes in one!

As everybody knows, the loser buys the winner ice cream, which Bear Rock Junction has along with other tasty items including Nathan's hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza and kettle corn.

As you can tell, Bear Rock Junction is unique in many ways, but I have one more for you. Starting today, right across the street from the mini golf course, Bear Rock Junction has a corn maze and hay rides throughout the fall. I've yet to do the corn maze, but if they do things there the way they do at the mini golf course ... well, you've read this post, you know.

Golf is a true treasure trove in Lehigh Valley, Pa.

Sunday was an absolute perfect weather day and lucky for me I got to spend some time outside with my son, father and stepmother playing in a golf tournament. I haven't played nearly as much as I did last year, but being out there gave me the itch. Luckily, there's a great fall golf season in Lehigh Valley, so I can get out and hack up the links a couple more times yet this year. 

This area not only has plenty of great golf courses to choose from, it also has the Lehigh Valley Amateur at Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem. This year will be the 73rd year the Lehigh Valley Amateur has taken place. The events start on September 19th and run all week with final rounds on Sunday, September 27th. Hundreds of players, from juniors to seniors, will take to the greens for some of the best-of-the-best Lehigh Valley golf.

I must say that Green Pond Country Club really puts on an awesome show. While I haven’t competed in the actual Lehigh Valley Amateur tournament, I have played on the sponsor’s day. The course is always in immaculate condition with lightning-quick greens, perfectly manicured fairways and some of the thickest rough I’ve ever seen.

My favorite part of the Lehigh Valley Amateur isn’t playing on sponsor’s day though. It's a lot more fun being a spectator and taking in the excitement by following around your favorite golfers. Even though these men and women aren’t professionals, they sure know what they’re doing out there. I learn so much just from watching.

Will you be heading out to watch the Lehigh Valley Amateur or are you taking a chance and playing in it this year?   

Evening golf in the Valley

I just completed my first shift of volunteering at the US Women's Open over at Saucon Valley Country Club. I only had the chance to see two foursomes tee off, but it was impressive: I saw eight swings and eight balls go right down the center of the fairway! 

Seeing just a few swings gave me the itch to play some golf. It was too late to get 18 in on a regular course so I decided to take Casey out to eat and play chip-n-putt at Mulligan's in Whitehall.

Mulligan's has a pretty nice set up. They have a driving range with over 30 turf and grass tees to hit from, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a 9-hole par 3 chip-n-putt course. All of them are under lights, so we can play till at least 10pm.

Maybe if Casey is lucky I'll take her for ice cream after I whoop her on the chip-n-putt course.

Looking forward to the U.S. Women's Open

In 2002, I had the opportunity to work at the Men’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in New York. It was an experience I will never forget.

In two weeks, I will once again have the opportunity to be a volunteer at a U.S. Open and get to admire the best golfers in the world. Specifically, I'll be at the 2009 Women’s U.S. Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem. I'm looking forward to another unforgettable experience.

It is impossible to experience the magnitude of an event as big as a U.S. Open through TV, which is why I jumped at the chance to volunteer. Anyone who plays golf knows that some of the shots these players make are close to impossible for us amateurs. Once you see them make those impossible shots in person, you gain even more respect for what they do on the course.

This isn’t the first time a U.S. Open has stopped at Saucon - they hosted Men’s Senior Opens in 1992 and 2000 - but it will be my first time volunteering at Saucon and I'm excited to see what the "Old Course" looks like in person.

The women's open begins Monday July 6th with practice rounds and championship play starting Thursday, July 9. Do you plan to head out to this nationally televised event right here in Lehigh Valley?

Golf Friday in Lehigh Valley

Good Friday is the unofficial opening to the golf season, so I got a couple of foursomes together and headed over to Willow Brook in Catasauqua.

After picking teams and setting a high-stake wager, we teed off at 9:30, under a rain looming sky.

The course was in good shape and, surprisingly, so were the golfers. It was very competitive considering 5 of the 8 golfers haven’t touched a club since September. In fact it was so competitive that it ended in a tie.

We then had to move the intense match to the practice green for a putt-off to settle the high-stake wager, which was lunch at the Catty Corner down the street from Willow Brook.

Unfortunately my partner and I choked and lost the match and ended up buying lunch. That was probably the only negative part of the round; it didn’t rain, and I played much better than expected.

Have you hit the links yet this year? 

Hey, Ho, Let's Go!

My buddy - who's been in Missouri applying his engineering skills to the construction of a new cement plant - is coming home for the weekend.

On Friday, a bunch of us are going to The Funhouse in Bethlehem to see the local band Cordova. From what I have been told, the first set will be their original stuff, which is really good. Their second set will be Ramones songs for 60 minutes straight. They'll be able to fit about 50 Ramones songs in that set, which is awesome.

If the weather forecast stays the same, we are going to try to get some golf in on Saturday. Probably either at Allentown Muni or Bethlehem Golf Club. This is the time of year to take advantage of golf course’s winter rates. Not only because of the prices, but because there's nobody out there. It is like having your own private course!

Enjoy the weekend, I know I will.