Bucknell Golf Club (Lewisberg, PA)

Coming back from Philliadelphia, I stopped off in Lewisburg and played nine holes at Bucknell Golf Club, home of the Bucknell University Bisons. It was designed by Emil Loeffler in 1930, and plays over some interesting terrain. A couple holes are quite challenging with extensive length that reiterates how  architects in the 1930s followed the lay of the land and didn't let "par" define how they designed a golf course. 

I played the front nine. The first three holes are the ones that stand out. The first is a 329 yard par four, a simple looking opener on the scorecard, but in reality, it plays straight uphill before doglegging right and cresting at the green. The opening tee shot must be well struck to have an unhindered short iron in otherwise it's a very difficult shot over the trees. 

The second is a long par three well positioned on the side of the hill. 

It has the kind of length where hitting the green requires for the average man a full blooded three wood. Hitting to the fairway just short of the putting surface is possibly the best option. Just a very tough par three. 

The third hole completes the triumvirate with a 605 yard par five. 

It plays over a hill, curves left, drops downhill, and then swoops up to the green. Three full wood shots makes this an incredible three shot hole. Talking to one of the members, I was told three is the toughest hole on the course. It's a source of pride so par is well earned and a well respected score. 

After a nice little downhill par three at four, the fifth thru ninth played across the street. These were fine holes but there was a redundancy to them as five, six, and seven were parallel to each other. When I was playing the first three holes by the clubhouse, it looked like the back nine was more interesting. Or at least the greens looked more interesting. 

The main reason I ended up playing Bucknell was it's Emil Loeffler background. Being a superintendent at Oakmont afforded him a chance to design golf courses, and he designed a fair amount especially in Pennsylvania. I wish I could've played the entire course. I'm giving it a 4 (above average) rating, but it might very well be better than that.