Remote Buck Hill takes golfers back to early days of game

BUCK HILL FALLS, Pa. -- Some golfers aren't happy with anything less than plunging ravines, island greens and tee boxes perched high above the fairway.

But some of us are just as content with solid, basic, no frills golf.

If you're a fan of the back to basics approach, there is a Donald Ross design tucked away in a remote area of the Pocono Mountains that's worth seeking out. Buck Hill Golf Club is part of a homeowner resort that was created at the turn of the 20th century. The resort community operates the course as a semi-private venue with limited public play, especially restricted between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The Buck Hill Falls community was started when a Philadelphia Quaker sold lots of inherited property to the editor of a Philadelphia newspaper, Howard Jenkins, and other well-to-do residents of the City of Brotherly Love. They built "cottages," some of them quite large, to serve as a retreat during the sweltering summer heat.

Eventually some wealthy New Yorkers also joined the burgeoning community. The resort also was among the first venues in the Poconos to develop winter sports such as skiing and tobogganing for those residents who'd make the difficult cold weather trip from the city into the mountains.

Golf was first introduced to the community in 1907. That initial course was redone in 1922 by legendary golf architect Donald Ross, who created the present day blue and white nines. There is also a red nine that rounds out the 27 hole course. Typical of many Ross courses, the design is short on drama and long on solid, quality golf holes.

"I love old, traditional courses," said Jake Hunsberger of Pottstown, Pa., who makes the 90-minute drive to play Buck Hill once a year. "I think a lot of the modern courses lack a certain amount of soul. Buck Hill reminds me of a Ray Charles tune, lots of soul!"

The blue nine features back to back par 5 holes. The third hole is reachable in two and definite birdie hole. The fourth is a definite three-shotter that plays over a rolling fairway. The green sits behind a deep swale and is sharply tilted back to front demanding the approach shot be kept below the hole.

The ninth is a downhill par 4 with a tight landing area. The approach is to a green that sits just beyond a stream.

The white nine also features several really good holes. The sixth and eight holes are both long par 4's, that will challenge your long iron play. Ross thought the ability to hit long irons was the truest test of a golfers ability. The ninth hole is a long par 3 with a tee box high above the green making it tough to dial in the proper approach.

The red nine might not be quite as good as the other two. But it's also a traditional, old fashioned design that doesn't seem out of place aside of the Ross nines. The second hole is a long par 4, with a green cut out of the side of a slope. The fourth is another long par 4 that almost plays like a par 5.

"I make it up to the Poconos a couple of times a year," says Frank Orlacher, of Harleysville, Pa. "Buck Hill is an annual play. I enjoy the course and the views, when the leaves turn in the fall, are extraordinary. It's really a golfers course, not a lot of bells and whistles, but very solid."

The verdict

Buck Hill Golf Club is way off the beaten path, but worth the effort to find. The 27 holes are definitely low key, but if you appreciate subtle design elements, you'll consider this a classic.

It's also in a great natural setting. You've got a very good chance of seeing deer, especially in the early morning or late
afternoon. If you've got the time and energy, all 27 holes make for a great day of golf. Play in the fall for great foliage.

Places to eat

The clubhouse features the Fairway Grille Restaurant, which can provide some pretty good casual dining choices. If you're looking for something more upscale and adventurous, the near by French Manor (thefranchmanor.com) offers authentic French cuisine.

Places to stay

The aforementioned French Manor is perched high atop a hill and has rooms with great views of the surrounding countryside. Another option, which is owned by the same family, is the Sterling Inn (thesterlinginn.com). This is a traditional roadside inn with comfortable accommodations and an outstanding dining room. Both the Sterling Inn and French Manor are located in South Sterling, Pa, just a short drive from Buck Hill Falls.

Off the course

Since Buck Hill Falls is in the heart of the Poconos, a vacation destination, there is no shortage of other things to do. Twice a year the Nascar Nextel Cup series stops in Long Pond, Pa., for races at Pocono Raceway.

For water sports, Lake Wallenpaupack provides boating, fishing and sailing. The 15-mile lake was built in 1927 by the Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. and has become a recreational haven. The Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau (800poconos.com) is a great resource for the whole spectrum of activities in the region.

Fast fact

In 1907, Buck Hill Golf Club hired David Guthrie as its first golf professional. The Scotland native remained in the post until 1940 and was instrumental in bring in fellow Scotsman, Donald Ross to do the 1922 redesign.

If You Go

Buck Hill Golf Club
Golf Drive
Buck Hill Falls, Pa., 18323
(570) 595-7730
Web: buckhillfalls.com

September 30, 2004

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.