Philly Country Clubs

[jquine003]

Moving to the Wayne area this summer and am curious on the clubs. I have been reading all of the old threads and have more questions than answers. I am looking for a golf club. I am 34 (35 in Oct), my wife does not golf, but we have a 2.5yr old so I am sure we would use pool, etc. That said, the primary reason for joining anywhere would be golf. There are a ton of courses in close proximity to where we will be, but I haven't been able to find much info. People seem to think poorly of St Davids which is a shame since I will only be a mile away. From what I have read, Rolling Green seems to be a favorite and Llanerch gets a lot of love too. White Manor gets good reviews for a modern course and then there are all of the courses on the other side of the river...phila cricket, mannies, etc. Definitely do not want to end up on a tree lined course...looking for something with width and strong golden age architectural design principles. Something within 20ish mins would also be ideal.

 

I guess it would be helpful if you guys could let me know which ones to absolutely stay away from.

 

Thanks

[Benzo]

Literally any course you named i doubt you could go wrong.

 

So much great golf in the area. What’s your handicap?

[medicoreMAgolfer]

If your wife is going to use the club, there is REAL value in a club being close to home. St. David’s and Overbrookvare two options close to Wayne that one can get into without waiting 5 years. I have only played StDavids once probably 10 years ago - it’s not Merion, Aronimink, Philly Cricket, Rolling Green, etc but I enjoyed it

 

Overbrook is a great club (as long as you can stomach a lot of Villanova fans) with a great membership. Lots of guys who want a game or a beer. The course is Meh but the group makes up for it. Radnor Valley is across the street from Overbrook. I like the layout there a bit better than Overbrook. Membership there is a historically Jewish club, but certainly diversifying by this point

 

Aronimink should be your first choice for combo of location and what you’re looking for. Challenge is getting in. Not sure how it has changed, but is a multi year process with multiple sponsors. They also have a tiered golf membership so you have to wait, once you’re in to play with any regularity.

 

I also really like Philly Country Club, which again is relative close to a Wayne. I would love to play that course every day, William Flynn design, and extr 9 hole course. The guys I know there are great guys but it does have a bit of a reputation as being less fun than others (I’ve heard it’s just not a place you show up and jump in a group)

 

I don’t know a lot of White Manor, obviously it has a very unique pedigree. The other one on the western Wayne side is Chester Valley. Good family club

 

I love Rolling Green, I just wouldn’t recommend a Springfield club if you’re living in Wayne. Not that far, but a pain to get to and you’d be the only guy at the club from Wayne. Just makes it tough to use the club as much as you could. Feel the same way about Llanerch. I think the course north of the river are great and probably easier to get into than the ones south - but inconvenient

 

One other thought is Applebrook. Obviously golf only, but relatively convenient from Wayne (and decent membership from your area). You could join a swim / tennis club for the family. Gil Hanse design, a golfers club, and a lot of young / fun members. It’s also probably the best combination of architecturally interesting and a course that doesn’t take 5 years to get into in that area

 

(Sorry for the long diatribe)

[Firegolf26]

Good write up^^^

 

I would also check out Waynesborough CC. May be worth to check out.

[medicoreMAgolfer]

One more thing - I would avoid paying an initiation fee if you’re thinking about White Manor. Concert golf bought them last year. I have a couple of friends who are members at concert golf clubs and have been very happy with their management. However, Concert apparently is in the process of selling to club corp (which has caught many by surprise given Concerts historical approach)

 

I would not want to write an initiation fee to White Manor right now knowing that ownership / management are going to change and your experience now might be different than your experience next year

 

(Note - I have no idea if there is an initiation fee at White Manor)

[J13]

Chester Valley is a great track and used to host a Senior Pga tour event.

[Noles]

One more thing - I would avoid paying an initiation fee if you're thinking about White Manor. Concert golf bought them last year. I have a couple of friends who are members at concert golf clubs and have been very happy with their management. However, Concert apparently is in the process of selling to club corp (which has caught many by surprise given Concerts historical approach)

 

I would not want to write an initiation fee to White Manor right now knowing that ownership / management are going to change and your experience now might be different than your experience next year

 

(Note - I have no idea if there is an initiation fee at White Manor)

Really? That would be great if Philmont and White Manor became a part of Club Corp.

[medicoreMAgolfer]

One more thing - I would avoid paying an initiation fee if you're thinking about White Manor. Concert golf bought them last year. I have a couple of friends who are members at concert golf clubs and have been very happy with their management. However, Concert apparently is in the process of selling to club corp (which has caught many by surprise given Concerts historical approach)

 

I would not want to write an initiation fee to White Manor right now knowing that ownership / management are going to change and your experience now might be different than your experience next year

 

(Note - I have no idea if there is an initiation fee at White Manor)

Really? That would be great if Philmont and White Manor became a part of Club Corp.

 

http://golfincmagazine.com/content/clubcorp-could-buy-16-courses-concert-golf

 

 

[jquine003]

Great info...thanks all. I think the convenience of St David’s May be hard to resist.

 

I guess I’ll get in touch with a few of them and tour around.

 

 

[J13]

Great info...thanks all. I think the convenience of St David’s May be hard to resist.

 

I guess I’ll get in touch with a few of them and tour around.

 

Best way to do it

[Noles]

One more thing - I would avoid paying an initiation fee if you're thinking about White Manor. Concert golf bought them last year. I have a couple of friends who are members at concert golf clubs and have been very happy with their management. However, Concert apparently is in the process of selling to club corp (which has caught many by surprise given Concerts historical approach)

 

I would not want to write an initiation fee to White Manor right now knowing that ownership / management are going to change and your experience now might be different than your experience next year

 

(Note - I have no idea if there is an initiation fee at White Manor)

Really? That would be great if Philmont and White Manor became a part of Club Corp.

 

http://golfincmagazi...es-concert-golf

Thanks. According to the article Concert owns 18 courses and is going to sell 16. It makes sense for ClubCorp to have more courses in the Philadelphia area. Having more courses to use is a great perk to offer members.

[Mikeski]

Moving to the Wayne area this summer and am curious on the clubs. I have been reading all of the old threads and have more questions than answers. I am looking for a golf club. I am 34 (35 in Oct), my wife does not golf, but we have a 2.5yr old so I am sure we would use pool, etc. That said, the primary reason for joining anywhere would be golf. There are a ton of courses in close proximity to where we will be, but I haven't been able to find much info. People seem to think poorly of St Davids which is a shame since I will only be a mile away. From what I have read, Rolling Green seems to be a favorite and Llanerch gets a lot of love too. White Manor gets good reviews for a modern course and then there are all of the courses on the other side of the river...phila cricket, mannies, etc. Definitely do not want to end up on a tree lined course...looking for something with width and strong golden age architectural design principles. Something within 20ish mins would also be ideal.

 

I guess it would be helpful if you guys could let me know which ones to absolutely stay away from.

 

Thanks

 

I'm in Wayne also. King of Prussia side of Wayne. I don't belong to any clubs. Play the public tracks like Bella Vista, Ravens Claw, Broad Run, Wyncote, etc.

A buddy of mine belongs to Chester Valley. Nice course.

 

Where in Wayne are you moving to?

[mmckee02]

I recommend Philadelphia Cricket Club, but I'm biased. ;)

 

On the main line side of the river, I would look at Applebrook, Waynesborough, and Overbrook. I would go check out St. Davids before turning it down. It's got solid Ross bones and Ron Prichard has done some great restoration work there over the years.

 

Mark

[J13]

I recommend Philadelphia Cricket Club, but I'm biased. ;)

 

On the main line side of the river, I would look at Applebrook, Waynesborough, and Overbrook. I would go check out St. Davids before turning it down. It's got solid Ross bones and Ron Prichard has done some great restoration work there over the years.

 

Mark

 

I grew up in the KOP area but in Baltimore now. Played a lot of clubs in Philly growing up but Cricket wasn't one of them, heard all good things from friends who've played there though.