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THE annual aggregate of rounds on the 54 holes is only 50,000, of which half are over the Old Course so you'll gather that reserved starting times are seldom necessary, although visitors should observe the usual etiquette apropos of access.
Set in heavily wooded country in the Lehigh Valley region, Saucon Valley is the epitome of the gracious, top-flight country club for which America is renowned. A day spent here would be a highlight of your holiday.
There are 20 or so tempting daily fee courses within a few miles of Saucon Valley and close to the city, in Montgomery County, are an equal number, also open to the public.
An example is Eagle Lodge, where a course by Rees Jones is the centre piece of a resort-style, all-inclusive facility, complete with a 120 bedroomed hotel and conference centre.
Those familiar with the work of Rees Jones will vouch for his flair: his design at Eagle Lodge doesn't disappoint and, like the other facilities, the presentation is of the highest class. It has to be: the competition around here is murderous!
Let's face it, any attraction within the ambit of Philadelphia has a lot to live up to. It just has to be good!
IT MAY be that you'll spend your entire holiday in Philadelphia but if you're the foot-loose type you might want to up-anchor and head west, to Pittsburgh. If you've time you should drive. Take Route 6. It's a good road and the scenery will force you to stop and wonder...
Doubtless because of Pittsburgh's association with the steel industry, Pennsylvania conveys an image of heavy industry, all smoke stacks and grime. Reality couldn't be more different. The State covers such a large area that much of it is still relatively untouched, seemingly virgin forest when seen from the freeway.
So you can imagine the views as you drive through the foothills and up into the Allegheny Mountains. In parts it emulates New England, particularly in the fall when the leaves are turning. You'll want to stop, take a break and admire the scenery. Can do, and play a little golf, too, if you've a mind.
There's a snow ski industry up there where locals go for weekend frolics and fresh air so there are some appealing lodges scattered about the forests. They're open year-round and come summer time they're popular with walkers and other nature lovers and dotted there and there are some pretty little golf courses. 'Twould be a most agreeable diversion, to spend a few days touring.
The Allegheny State forest covers 513,000 acres , for instance, most of it publicly owned and accessible. We drove through it en route to an overnight stop in a delightful lodge tucked a way in the middle of nowhere, all crackling log fires, deep armchairs and creaking floorboards, where pampering is the name of the game and dinner was to die for.
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