Emil Loeffler and John McGlynn designed the original nine holes in 1921. James Harrison and Fred Garbin added another nine holes in 1963. Arnold tinkered with it after that. Most of the trees on the course is Deke Palmer’s doing. The property was rolling farmland until then. The red covered bridges on the back were Arnold’s idea. He wanted something that would give members protection from storms but also reflect the traditions and culture of western Pennsylvania.
(The 412/403 yard par four first hole plays downhill to a left to right sloped fairway. The Arnie rule was keeping hitting til one found the fairway. His record was 7…
…the green is benched into the hillside with a steep slope protecting the front. It’s a stern opening hole.)
(The139/117 yard par three second is just a pitch to a green that slopes away. This is the view from the tips. The shot is literally over the first green. The road is on the left so an over the top swing might see the ball catch a ride to the next town.)
(The 509/491 yard par five third hole plays downhill before turning right and climbing up to the green. In 1999, legendary club pro Bob Ford hold out for double eagle in the Palmer Cup. He was -9 through 14 for that round with a legitimate chance to break Arnie’s course record of 60 but politely picked up his ball since his match had ended and went watched Arnold play.)
(The 295/279 yard par four fifth theoretically is driveable but this hole is as slender as they come. Keep it in play off the tee and take a chance with your wedge.)
(The 483/462 yard par five sixth is reachable in two shots but a grass mound provides the perfect defense. It’s a small green so its presence influences many of the shots. I like that it’s rough instead of sand. The unpredictability of the lie gives it a mental edge.)
(The 450/415 yard par four eighth plays downhill to a left to right slopes fairway. It’s similar to the first except there’s a pond short right of the green. A good drive is a must otherwise you’ll be playing to the left bunker (not pictured). It’s the longest par four on the golf course.)
Latrobe is your typical rural western Pennsylvania golf course. It goes up and down the hills with a creek coming into play in the valley. I mention this because I have made a point to visit this area frequently the past three years and many of the ones I’ve seen in little towns look very much like this. You can tell most of the Emil holes by their small size. The Harrison/Garbin greens are bigger and have your standard back to front tilt. The bunkering is also on the sides on those holes. I personally felt it was impressive they were able to add another nine. There are a few holes where it is very narrow, like they stuck a hole between two others. When the course drops down into the valley on the back, the driving lines open up and the holes get better. The par threes are the bedrock to protect par. After the second hole, the other three are long and difficult. Back to back par fives at fourteen and fifteen are good birdie opportunities.
(The 226/203 yard par three tenth starts the back nine in picturesque style…
…it affords great views of the Allegheny Mountains. There’s a pond to the left of the pine tree which is a concern. The green tilts back right to front left. It’s a tough hole.)
(The 342/333 yard par four twelth has a creek that crosses the fairway which forces all but the longest hitters to layup. The green is elevated on a steep hill and the ball will roll back if you come up short. In the background is the par five fourteenth green.)
(The 350/342 yard downhill par four seventeenth is potentially driveable for long hitters if it skips through the bunker. Most players will just be hitting a little wedge. The green slopes to the right which makes for some interesting pin positions.)
(Playing parallel to the first hole, the 381/377 yard eighteenth climbs steeply uphill to the green. It’s a very tight driving hole. Note the entrance road crossing the fairway…
…the approach shot is semi blind with only the flagstick visible. It’s three tiered (Arnie I’m sure is responsible for this) and the back half of it is the practice putting green so the pin position should not be unknown. Not many birdies are going to finish the round.)
“Other players had fans; Arnie had an army.”
“He could par 42nd street. In traffic.”
“He didn’t have a gorgeous fluid swing like Snead. Arnie lunged at it like a drunk at a midnight driving range.”
All the Arnold Palmer stories make me smile. One of my favorites happened at the Cleveland Open. He asked his caddy for a five iron to which a fan stated would never reach the green. Arnie stared at the man and asked his caddy for a six iron instead. He promptly powered the ball to middle of the green.
If you love stories than a trip to Latrobe will be right up your alley. All the trophies and awards in the cabinet each have their own. I love that stuff. Here’s another one of my favorites.
This is the 1960 Sportsman of the Year award. Arnold had won the Masters with one of his infamous charges by making birdie on the final two holes. At the US Open, he drove the green on the first hole, birdied six of the seven holes, and went on to win at Cherry Hills. This lead him to New York for the awards ceremony where Roger Maris asked “what are you doing here?” When Palmer’s name was announced as the winner, he turned to Maris and said “What are you doing here?!”
Anyone interested in Arnold Palmer should definitely make the trek to Latrobe. You will not be disappointed. Be forewarned. The course is probably a 4, possible a 5 on its best days, but the experience is immeasurable. If you get lucky like me and get to meet Arnold Palmer’s sister because she was playing the same day we were, then the experience becomes even more awesome.
(A red pine was lost between the first and eighteenth holes so renown woodcarver Joe King was hired to make a tribute to Arnold’s father)
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
[I played the course from the white tees at 6110. I got off to great start hitting a three hybrid to two feet on the very first hole. I was even for the round heading to the eighth and out of nowhere started hitting horrible drives. I bogeyed five of the next six holes. Then I scrambled for a par at fourteen before holing a chip in putt for birdie at fifteen. This good fortune made me confident and I parred the last three holes for a solid 76.]
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