When it comes to golf courses that are among the most challenging and unique in the world of golfers one set of links often comes to mind Pine Valley of Camden New Jersey. Historically since 1913, Pine Valley has set the example of tough yet challenging.
A few years ago a number of elderly gentleman from golfing lore, from around the globe, gathered at Pine Valley Golf Club to compete in a tournament that had been planned to promote good relations as well as create deep friendships among golfers and golfing enthusiasts. One of the players a Canadian from Manitoba, strode briskly from the clubhouse towards the first tee and turned to look down the fairway. An expression of amazement froze his face. Stretching out before him for some 170 yards was a jumble of sand and underbrush that appeared to be more like the untamed seaside of Scotland than a parcel of the garden State of the Colonies. Beyond the sandy wastes was a lush fairway, closely protected on each side by tall pines. The fairway turned right and disappeared between the trees. There was nothing else in sight. Indeed with all the years and golf swings Pine Valley still garners awards and rankings as one of the very best golf courses in the world from such highly respected golfing sports trade and golf vacation planning journals as "Golf Magazine" , "Golf Digest" & lastly "Golf Week Magazine" themselves.
Yet this avid golfer stayed and played and even immigrated to America as a result. For many golfers its "Pine Valley" for others golfing heaven indeed its the Augusta National. Augusta National Golf Club, located which amazingly enough is located in the fine state of Georgia at "Augusta". This favorite of many a top high end golfer and golfing want-to-be was founded by none others than historical golf icon Bobby Jones along with Clifford Roberts. Golf club architect and layout was initiated and followed through by the legend Alister MacKenzie actually on the site of a former indigo plantation , whose grounds had not only been carefully maintained and built up over the years - yet also had the highest of reputations.
Pine Valley is a living monument to the Philadelphia citizen who conceived it and almost single handily started to build and construct it. To the say the least this course is no hobo-ken layout of a golf course laid out in the Manitoba bush called quaintly. It is a shrine to the very spirit of the golf game and the sport of golfing. The conditions of its fairways and greens have long been the very standard of comparison to other clubs and facilities throughout the nation and indeed worldwide. Indeed it is horticultural one of the most unusual areas of the whole eastern seaboard of the United States. On top of that membership in this most prestigious club is of course highly coveted and treasured. The club itself has been the source of much humor and dry humor at that in the golfing communities. It was repeatedly said by the very likes of the classic golfer Arnold Palmer that Pine Valley is not so tough if you can hit the ball straight, keep it out of the sand and putt reasonably well.
Lastly variety is endless and can be counted on for sure at Pine Valley, both adding to every golfers pleasure, challenge and frustration with their day on the fairways of their golfing careers.
A few years ago a number of elderly gentleman from golfing lore, from around the globe, gathered at Pine Valley Golf Club to compete in a tournament that had been planned to promote good relations as well as create deep friendships among golfers and golfing enthusiasts. One of the players a Canadian from Manitoba, strode briskly from the clubhouse towards the first tee and turned to look down the fairway. An expression of amazement froze his face. Stretching out before him for some 170 yards was a jumble of sand and underbrush that appeared to be more like the untamed seaside of Scotland than a parcel of the garden State of the Colonies. Beyond the sandy wastes was a lush fairway, closely protected on each side by tall pines. The fairway turned right and disappeared between the trees. There was nothing else in sight. Indeed with all the years and golf swings Pine Valley still garners awards and rankings as one of the very best golf courses in the world from such highly respected golfing sports trade and golf vacation planning journals as "Golf Magazine" , "Golf Digest" & lastly "Golf Week Magazine" themselves.
Yet this avid golfer stayed and played and even immigrated to America as a result. For many golfers its "Pine Valley" for others golfing heaven indeed its the Augusta National. Augusta National Golf Club, located which amazingly enough is located in the fine state of Georgia at "Augusta". This favorite of many a top high end golfer and golfing want-to-be was founded by none others than historical golf icon Bobby Jones along with Clifford Roberts. Golf club architect and layout was initiated and followed through by the legend Alister MacKenzie actually on the site of a former indigo plantation , whose grounds had not only been carefully maintained and built up over the years - yet also had the highest of reputations.
Pine Valley is a living monument to the Philadelphia citizen who conceived it and almost single handily started to build and construct it. To the say the least this course is no hobo-ken layout of a golf course laid out in the Manitoba bush called quaintly. It is a shrine to the very spirit of the golf game and the sport of golfing. The conditions of its fairways and greens have long been the very standard of comparison to other clubs and facilities throughout the nation and indeed worldwide. Indeed it is horticultural one of the most unusual areas of the whole eastern seaboard of the United States. On top of that membership in this most prestigious club is of course highly coveted and treasured. The club itself has been the source of much humor and dry humor at that in the golfing communities. It was repeatedly said by the very likes of the classic golfer Arnold Palmer that Pine Valley is not so tough if you can hit the ball straight, keep it out of the sand and putt reasonably well.
Lastly variety is endless and can be counted on for sure at Pine Valley, both adding to every golfers pleasure, challenge and frustration with their day on the fairways of their golfing careers.
About the Author:
While the modern game of golf originated in 15th century Scotland. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, ieventually evolved into the modern game.
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