That may not ring the same bells as Pete Dye, Tom Doak or Coore & Crenshaw, but it should. Pilgrim’s is set on lush rolling farmland terrain with a good amount of trees. Regardless, the drive is pleasant and the course is worth it. Rick Marts is a golf enthusiast who lives in East Marlborough Township.Course: Pilgrim’s Oak is one of the further courses that I include as “Philly area,” as it’s way down Route 1 South, then another 15 – 20 minutes through sprawling farm countryside until you reach Peach Bottom, PA, which is almost a stone’s throw from Maryland. However, while the snack bar can easily accommodate your hunger, don’t expect the diverse cuisine and pub-like dining facilities of other clubs I have reviewed in this space.Īs for tee times, membership opportunities, leagues, green fees, specific directions and green fees, please go online to The Web site will also list weekday, weekend, senior, junior, twilight, time of year and other factors that might affect the rate that would apply to you.
PILGRIMS OAK GOLF COURSE FULL
When you come to play, come to practice as well on the full driving range, chipping area with sand bunker and practice putting green. He said, “The distance is doable at 4,921 yards, and we have added three new ladies tees with three more in the works.” He also said the Lancaster City-County Golf Association thinks enough of the course to hold its annual better-ball tournament at Pilgrim’s Oak. Kurtz also believes the course is very lady-friendly. So taking a cart is probably wise the fee is only $14, unless you are in good shape. Distances from green to tee are not long but it’s hilly.”Īnd on the weekend no discount is offered to walkers before 2 p.m. Now you see why the slope is 146.Ĭan Pilgrim’s Oak be walked? Kurtz answered, “Yes. Number 11, for example, has the golfer teeing off from a precipice into a valley-like fairway only to face a nearly blind second shot to an extremely elevated and small green. At times, this is problematic because several holes have substantial elevation changes a la Augusta National. The greens are small and many are elevated with drop-offs around the sides and rear. Speaking of the greens, although Donald Ross did not design Pilgrim’s Oak, his influence is evident.
With the creek, pond and wetlands between the tee and the front of the green and a forbidding hazard immediately behind the green, virtually no bailout area exists. For example, water is the highlight on Pilgrim’s Oak’s signature hole, number 12, which is a par 3 measuring 183 yards from the blue tee box. At least two small creeks meander through the links-style layout, and they seem to morph from creeks into sizable ponds in the most inopportune spots, often right in front of a green. On about one-third of the holes, golfers need to deal with a significant water feature. The water is well, the water could be a problem. The sand traps could have been in better shape, but the good news is that with only 36 traps-two per hole-you shouldn’t be overly bothered by them. I found nearly immaculate greens and fairways, a through-the-roof “interest factor,” and frequent vistas of neighboring dairy farms and Pennsylvania landscapes. Steve Kurtz, the director of golf, said, “Although the property used to be a dairy farm, it is now the only Golf Digest four-star public golf course in Lancaster County.”Īnd the conditions verified that rating. Having played the course in the past, I knew what I was going to see during my tour, but I didn’t know how nice it would be. In fact, Alan Dinning, a member of my neighborhood’s group of about 30 senior golfers, told me, “Pilgrim’s Oak is one of our favorite venues.” On the other hand, the course is very fair and playable-very little tall fescue lays in wait to gobble up your ball, the rough is mowed low so you can reach greens from it, and you’ll find the course length is reasonable. Remember, nationwide, a slope of around 115 is average (one source says 113, one says 118.5, go figure). Slope ratings from the other tee boxes are also high: Blue-139, White-130, Gold-122 and Red-122. With a shuddering slope rating of 146 from the tips, Pilgrim’s Oak is not for the faint-hearted. It’s easy to find: south on Route 1 about 20 miles to northwest on Route 272 until you see the sign for the course.īut please come prepared to be challenged. And isn’t that what a golf experience should be?The course is located in the rolling hills and dairy farm country of southern Lancaster County, about 40 minutes from Kennett Square. Instead, every hole is unique and memorable. Pilgrim’s Oak is not one of those courses where the holes run back and forth along side each other like opposite sides of Interstate 95.
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