Berks County provides local golfers with a wealth of beautiful courses at which to master their skills. Designed by world-renowned golfers and golf course architects, some are more than a century old, while others were built in the past decade. We asked nine local courses to provide the scoop on their “signature” hole. Check out the web exclusive for tips from the pros on navigating these challenging holes.
Galen Hall Golf Club
Located on historic South Mountain, Galen Hall Golf Club is more than a century old, opened in 1912. It was designed by Alexander H. Findlay with A. W. Tillinghast, who created a true island green on the club’s signature hole, #15, thought to be the first of its kind in the country. Known as “The Moat Hole,” it is unique to Galen Hall and has not been replicated by any other course in the area. The par 3 has challenged many golfers over the years. Most refrain from using a brand new ball on this hole, which ranges from 83 yards to 192 yards.
645 North Galen Hall Rd. Wernersville, 610.678.9535, galenhallgc.com
Reading Country Club
The Reading Country Club was established in 1923 and designed by Alexander H. Findlay, known as the “Father of American Golf.” Few of Findlay’s courses are still around today. The top hole at Reading is #15, a par 3, which provides a spectacular view from all tee boxes to the green, includes a creek as a water obstacle, and has an extremely difficult tee shot. Club pro Tom Morgan says many golfers have made par if they lay up the shot, which is 220 yards from the blue tee, 171-187 from the white and 158 from the red.
5311 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, 610.779.1626, readingcountryclub.com
Heidelberg Country Club
Requiring two well-played shots to make par or better, hole #13 challenges golfers at Heidelberg Country Club. This par 4 is not considered overly long at 378 yards from the blue tees to the green, but a well-positioned tee shot is essential. The greens are protected by bunkers and water obstacles, so an errant tee shot finding its way into the fairway bunkers or rough requires a much more difficult second shot. Hailed as one of the finest courses in Pennsylvania, Heidelberg opened as private club in 1969 and was designed by John H. Guenther, Jr.
1 Clubhouse Dr., Bernville, 610.488.1031, heidelbergcc.com
Moselem Springs Golf Club
Several club, state and national tournaments have been decided on Moselem Springs Golf Club’s hole #18! From that tee is a breathtaking view, encompassing the clubhouse and mountain. Native rainbow and brown trout can be found swimming in the crystal clear stream to the right of the hole, which plays 456 yards long from the back tee. From this elevated tee, a solid drive is required to reach the fairway on this par 4. Opening in 1964, Moselem was designed by George and Tom Fazio, and helped put the Fazio name on the map for their exceptional course design.
684 Eagle Rd., Fleetwood, 610.944.7616, moselemgolf.com
Ledgerock Golf Club
The visually impressive hole #13 at LedgeRock Golf Club requires a long and accurate shot from the Championship Tees, a 603-yard distance to the hole. From the Member and Ladies Tee, golfers must have a precise drive in order to set up an easier second shot, where accuracy again comes into play to avoid deep fairway bunkers. An uphill third shot brings them to a two-tier green. This par 5, along with the rest of the course, was designed by American golf course architect Rees Jones and opened in 2006.
1 Greenbriar Dr. Mohnton, 610.777.9705, ledgerockgolf.com
Berkleigh Golf Club
The first president of PGA of America, Robert White, designed Berkleigh Golf Club, which opened in 1925. The historic club offers a challenging course including signature hole #15. While picturesque, an over-the-water shot on this par 3 makes it intimidating to many golfers. The lower handicap player will find hitting the green from 208 yards difficult, with a slightly elevated tee to a medium size green with a back-to-front slope. With the white tee at 182 yards and forward tees at 130, each player has the challenge of hitting over a lake to the green.
14623 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown, 610.683.8268, berkleighgolfclub.com
Golden Oaks Golf Club
At Golden Oaks Golf Club, golfers discover a challenging blind tee shot to a dogwood right at hole #18. Golfers need to shape their drive around huge trees to hit the narrow fairway for this par 5, which is bordered by a pond. Along the 569 yards, they encounter water again as the pond winds in front of the green surrounded by bunkers. The club, established in 1994, was designed by Jim Blaukovitch of Quakertown. Guests can admire the spectacular view of greens and a picturesque pond with a fountain from the clubhouse deck.
10 Stonehedge Dr., Fleetwood, 610.944.6000, goldenoaksgolfclub.com
Woodbridge Golf Club
Hole #17 at Woodbridge Golf Club is divided by wetlands with two sand traps, one to the left and one to the right. Both the tee and greens are elevated on this par 4, so the golfer is teeing from a hill, trying to cross a valley of wetlands to another hill. Total distance is 365 yards. A long hitter can attempt a risk-reward shot, trying to hit a 300-yard drive over the wetlands. Putting is a premium, as there are no flat greens on this challenging but fun course, which opened in 2008 and was designed by Emidio “Meme” Filippini.
440 Albright Rd., Kutztown, 610.683.5355, playwoobridge.com
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Berkshire Golf Club
From the back tees, measuring 485 yards to the green, hole #15 is Berkshire Country Club’s most challenging hole. The fairway narrows and tilts on both sides of this par 4, most dramatically in the landing area for longer hitters. Hitting a tee shot just a little to the left or right has its consequences on the two-tiered green. This hole has helped make or break contenders in major club events and was a major factor when the Berkshire hosted the Pennsylvania Amateur. The club was founded in 1899; Willie Park, Jr., a winner of the British Open, designed the course, along with several others in the Northeast.
1637 Bernville Rd., Reading, 610.374.8244, berkshirecc.net
Membership Has Its Privileges
In this day and age, when several public golf courses are of the same caliber as private, why should a golfer consider joining a club? To pique your interest, local clubs share the unique benefits and amenities they offer their members:
Tee-Time Free.
There are no tee times at LedgeRock, so a round can be relaxing and enjoyable. Their multiple teeing options provide a great challenge for all skill levels. The Learning Center provides year-round heated indoor practice facilities with state-of-the-art instruction and a large full-shot outdoor practice facility.
More than just Golf.
Fewer crowds, quicker rounds of golf and better playing conditions are benefits at Heidelberg Country Club. Additionally, members have access to swimming pools, tennis courts, dining and an active social calendar.
Preferred Status.
At Galen Hall, members receive preferred green times, clubhouse locker and bag storage, member tournaments, a practice area with putting green and pro shop discounts.
Overnight Accommodations Onsite.
Members are treated to a full array of social events and activities for the entire family at Moselem Springs. Their practice facility allows players to fine tune every aspect of their game. Moselem offers a fully stocked Golf Shop and overnight accommodations for out of town golfers at the Clubhouse.
All locations offer casual and fine dining options.
BY KRISTIN KRAMER PHOTOS BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
