Upgrades at Hellertown, Pa., course have maintained its Donald Ross design while improving bunkers, sand and drainage, and teeing areas. Member play has increased substantially since the renovations, and participation in all club events is at an all-time high.
A two-year renovation project at Silver Creek Country Club’s 18-hole golf course came to a close May 20 and the teeing areas on holes 3-11 were promptly opened for play, Lehigh Valley Live reported.
The project involved bunker restorations to their original specifications, new sand and drainage enhancements, teeing area enlargements and the reconstruction of some greens at the Hellertown, Pa., club. It began on the original back nine of the championship course in 2011.
Donald Ross designed the course in the mid-1940s. General Manager Casey Counseller said that member play has increased substantially since the renovations were completed, and that the course now has a waiting list.
“All of the tees opened last Sunday,” Counseller said. “All of our wonderful renovations are in play. I am so excited. It would make Donald Ross proud. His work of art just got a 2012 facelift. We have the best layout in the area, and now our conditions can rival anyone in the Lehigh Valley.
“The members are so excited,” he added. “All of our participation in all of our club events is at all-time highs. We are getting a lot of positive feedback from the community. The course is beautiful.”
Bunkers have been upgraded to modern standards through sodding to prevent washouts and sand splashing, and old sand was replaced with Valley Forge White Sand. The bunker work was completed in January.
Some fairway bunkers were relocated to improve playability and teeing areas were enlarged, reconstructed and leveled, resulting in improved maintenance since the smaller tee boxes had worn out over time.
The club honored Donald Ross by retaining characteristics of the original design and placing a large rock with a bronze plaque near the putting green.
“The rock was discovered during the renovations,” Counseller said. “It’s from the property, and was relocated to the putting green. I wrote up the plaque, and had it bronzed and installed. This is the last of his designed golf courses that Ross physically visited.”
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