OHIO FEATURES
Lehigh Valley Packs Punch as Golf Destination
By Shannon Gazze,
Staff Writer
Stay 'n' Play packages
make Eastern PA site fun and affordable
Well we're golfing here in Allentown.
On to Easton for another round.
In Bethlehem we love to staaaaaaaaaaaaaay and play!
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA - It might have taken a few depressing lyrics by legendary crooner Billy Joel to put Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley on the map, but almost three decades later, his lyrics are no longer quite fitting.
They've closed all, or at least most, of the factories down, but
in their place have sprung up golf courses and attractions that
make the Lehigh Valley desirable as both a family vacation spot
and a weekend golf getaway.
With the help of the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau (www.lehighvalleypa.org) and the addition of several Championship-quality golf courses, the Eastern Pennsylvania area - comprised of the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton and their surrounding areas - is changing its image for the better. For the last few seasons, the Bureau has offered a "Stay 'n' Play" package that combines tee times on the area's best courses with discounted lodging at its finest hotels.
Bethlehem's Center Valley
Whether you are planning a golf vacation or just want to escape the high-priced play in nearby New York and Philadelphia, Stay and Play might be just what you've been looking for.
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The amenities at each hotel vary greatly, so check the Bureau's website for descriptions and more information. The participating hotel chains read like a "Who's Who" of the nation's best: Hilton, Radisson, Four Points Sheraton, Hawthorne Suites, Ramada, Holiday Inn, Comfort Suites, Staybridge Suites, Hampton Inn, Wingate Inn and the Clarion Hotel.
If the discounts sound attractive as you read about them here, wait until you are on one of the six Stay 'n' Play courses. They represent the best the area has to offer and the play is on par with the better courses in either the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh areas, landing the Lehigh Valley easily into the top five golf destinations in the state.
Water comes into play on seven holes at Olde Homestead
If you've never played golf in the Lehigh Valley, Olde Homestead Golf Club in New Tripoli should be high on your priority list. The 6900-yard, par-72 is carved into the rolling hills that characterize Eastern PA and dances neatly around several lakes and streams, with water coming into play on seven holes. Undulating greens are made even more difficult by bordering greenside bunkers, but play in the fairways is open and forgiving, as is typical of many high-end resort courses. The rough at Olde Homestead is fairly treacherous and the course features some beautiful environmental preserves.
From the first tee shot, the views at Olde Homestead rival its challenge, with both aspects of the 1995 Jim Blaukovitch design making it one of the gems of the Stay 'n' Play packages. Olde Homestead is built on the old Snyder Farm, about 15 miles north of Allentown. It still features an old potato barn next to a luxurious clubhouse and a 19th-century one-room schoolhouse is preserved along the first and 13th fairways. The staff is courteous and the pace of play is controlled by synchronized clocks at each tee.
Some of the same natural features that make it spectacular also make Olde Homestead tricky, however. Navigating the water and bunkers on the course is made more difficult by the many side-hill lies and elevation changes. Adding to the score inflation, the course boasts par-3s of 190, 195 and 231 yards from the last of five sets of tee boxes on each hole.
No. 6 at Olde Homestead: 178 yards downhill over a hazard will
test any golfer
The remaining five courses in the Stay 'n' Play package are Bethlehem Golf Club, Locust Valley Golf Club, Southmore Golf Course, Wedgewood Golf Course and Woodland Hills Country Club. Each one offers a unique style of upper-tier public golf. Bethlehem has received 3 1/2 starts from Golf Digest. Locust Valley offers a parkland setting while Woodland Hills offers a Country Club atmosphere and Wedgewood has 27 holes of play to ensure variety and expedience of play. Southmore is in immaculate condition and has hosted several minor PGA and Nike (Buy.com) Tour events.
One course that is not currently on the Stay 'n' Play roster but is definitely worth a look is Center Valley Golf Club, rated 9th "Best Public Course" in the state for 1996 by Golf Digest. With water in play on nine holes, well-manicured fairways and greens, deep bunkers and a starter right out of St. Andrews, Center Valley can round out an excellent Stay 'n' Play vacation in style. Other notable courses in the area include Hideaway Hills, Whitetail, Shawnee-on-Delaware and Golden Oaks.
Once you've left the links (or for your family while you play), the Lehigh Valley remains a destination bustling with year-round entertainment. During winter months, the Bureau offers a "Ski 'n' Stay" alternative to its golf packages. For the rest of the year, the area has plenty of fine dining and family attractions.
Fairway bridge on Center Valley's back nine
Take a romantic trip down the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail, through
eight family-owned and operated wineries. A positive growing environment
has helped to produce several award-winning wines. Next, pack
the kids in the car and head off to the Crayola Factory at Two
Rivers Landing in Easton or Allentown's twin amusement parks -
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. The nature lover will enjoy
a day trip to the Lehigh County Trexler Game Preserve.
As September arrives and the golf season winds down, the Celtic Classic festival springs to life in Bethlehem with food, dancing, music, games and entertainment. June and July are also popular fair and festival times in the Lehigh Valley. Join in on a relaxing Pennsylvania tradition at the Schnecksville Community Fair (June 18-23), the Kutztown Festival (June 30-July 8) or the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival (June 30-July 8) at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds in Summit Station.
Most of the time, however, the best food in the area is spread out among many cozy Lehigh Valley restaurants offering a wide variety of menus and prices and a distinct local flavor. The Crocodile Rock Café, centrally located in downtown Allentown, is one of the area's most "happening" establishments. The restaurant - with an eclectic menu and set in a jungle-themed dining room - doubles as a nightclub and bar with weekly live performances.
This 19th-century school house adorns the 13th fairway at Olde
Homestead
For more information on golf, travel, dining and lodging in the Lehigh Valley:
Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau
PO Box 20785 Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0785
610-882-9200 or 1-800-747-0561
E-mail: geninfo@lehighvalleypa.org
Web site: lehighvalleypa.org
