Center Valley Club, CLOSED 2011

Detailed description of Center Valley Club, CLOSED 2011

Center Valley Club is a Public 18 hole golf course located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

The course was designed by Geoffrey Cornish. Originally owned by the Stabler Land Trust, the golf course property was left as open space because a prior usage zinc mine operation complicated development. The golf course, which opened in June 1992, seemed like a natural fit.

The Front Nine - "Scottish Links" Design

Beginning with the first hole at Center Valley Club you will be introduced to hidden bunkers and mounds that guard the fairways and greens. The front nine presents the impression that the holes are wide open, but care must be taken to focus on the driving targets. The "Scottish Links" hole designs are patterned from some of the finest holes in the British Isles. A few greens are undulating and challenge the accuracy of the second shots into the green. Putting could be difficult if you position the second shots in the wrong position on the putting surfaces. The par 5's number 3 and 6 are reachable in two shots. The par 3's number 2 and 8 are both over lakes guarding the front and left side of the greens. The front nine yields birdie opportunities, rewarding "ball control".

The Back Nine - "North American" Design

The back nine presents at Center Valley Club an interesting, unique and contrasting challenge from the front nine. This "North American" design presents a different challenge. Beginning at hole number 10 a narrow drive landing area, two lakes guarding the fairway and a sand trap protecting the front right of the green establishes the atmosphere for the back nine. Your trip through the trees, lakes and beautiful design of this nine will offer an enjoyable experience. This nine plays a couple strokes higher than the front nine. It challenges you to drive the ball into the fairways to score it well. You must be careful to hold your focus on this inward nine. Errant shots have penalty obstacles positioned to catch your ball.

Par for the course is 72. From the back tees the course plays to 6916 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 4925 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 11, a par-5 that plays to 568 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 2, a par-3 that plays to 162 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 3, a 550 yard par-5 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Center Valley Club is # 2, the 162 yard par-3.

The course closed in October 2011.

The property is in Upper Saucon's "enterprise zone," which allows a wide variety of uses including commercial, manufacturing and office. Some of the property is zoned industrial, Heater said.

The closure dealt a blow to Joe Candia, who has worked as the starter at the course since it opened. Candida, who is 100 years old, said he had heard only that the course has been sold.

"We're pretty sick about it," Candia said. "I opened up the club in 1992 with [golf pro] Larry Wise. Then to get hit with this, you don't know how to answer. It's done as a golf club. It's done. I don't know if it's going to be condominium buildings or what. There's only a certain amount of land they can build on because there are old mines beneath it."