Golf in Happy Valley

– by Jeff Cavanaugh

No matter what season it is, there is always something to keep you active and outdoors in Happy Valley. And from the Spring through the Fall–and even sometimes in the Winter–golfers flock to Happy Valley for some of the best golf in all of Pennsylvania.

Here is a look at a few golf courses in Happy Valley

Toftrees Golf Resort

1 Country Club Lane, State College

Tee Times: (814) 234-8000

www.toftreesgolf.com

Rated as one of Pennsylvania’s top places to play, Toftrees Golf Resort is one of the best golf courses for players of every skill level and handicap. Recently rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest's "Places to Play,” Toftrees is regularly included among Pennsylvania’s Best Resort/Public Golf Courses.

While the scenery and groundskeeping at Toftrees are second-to-none, it does not take long for the course to really challenge golfers with sand traps, tough pin placements and lengthy holes – starting with the first hole, which is the longest par 4 on the entire course. The second hole is a 500+ yard par 5 with bunkers surrounding the green. At Toftrees, you’ll be playing every club in your bag.

As a destination resort, Toftrees Golf Resort features 102 guest rooms and suites just minutes from downtown State College. Toftrees also has an outstanding farm-to-table restaurant on the premises – The Field Restaurant – which uses locally sourced fresh ingredients whenever available including local bread, a variety of regional Amish cheeses, and a house blend of sirloin, chuck, brisket, and short rib to create mouthwatering, hand-formed burgers. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or cocktails, The Field Restaurant has something for any time of the day.

Penn State Golf Courses: Blue and White Course

1523 West College Ave., State College

Tee Times: 814-865-4653

pennstategolfcourses.com

The Penn State Golf Courses really have something for everyone – and more importantly, something for everyone all throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a tee time in July or have the urge to get out golfing on an unseasonably warm winter afternoon, the Blue and White Golf Courses in State College are the perfect venue in Happy Valley.

The Blue Course front nine measures 3,696 yards off the Nittany Tees and challenges golfers to be precise with tee shots to have a decent shot into closely guarded greens. With 27 bunkers on the front nine, the front nine presents demands of length and accuracy from golfers. The back nine on the Blue Course measures 3518 yards off the Nittany tees and provides a quite different experience than the front nine. The back nine not only includes 16 green side bunkers, 11 strategically placed fairway bunkers and water hazards on two holes to add pressure to golfers.

The White Course is a challenging alternative to the Blue Course – and while shorter in distance, it is no less more enjoyable or challenging. The front nine features nearly 40 bunkers and smaller greens to really keep

Toftrees 9th Tee

golfers on their toes. The back nine measures 3,099 yards and is perhaps the easiest nine to score on at the Penn State Golf Courses – with the exception of #18, a 492-yard uphill hole with a slight dog leg right that may be one of the most challenging finishing holes in Happy Valley.

Throughout the Winter months, the Penn State Golf Courses feature an 18-hole Winter Course – which starts by playing the back-9 of the Blue Course and then the second 9 features the holes on the Inner Loop of the White Course: Holes 1-4, 6, & 15-18.

While the Blue and White Courses are both open to the public, there are also great membership opportunities for Happy Valley residents and Penn State Students. The Penn State Golf Courses Season Memberships include unlimited play on both the Blue & White Golf Courses. The White Course PSU Student membership features unlimited golf on the White Golf Course for full-time students taking 12 or more credits in the Fall or Spring Semester. Student memberships also offer discounted rounds on the Blue Course.

In addition to the 36 holes of championship golf, the Penn State Golf Courses is also home to an award-winning practice facility with four practice putting greens and 38 driving range stalls to loosen up before a round with friends or to put in some extra work on the range. The facility also features two indoor swing simulators.

When you are off the Course, the beautiful Walker Clubhouse features an outstanding Golf Shop and The Nineteenth Hole Café which features a variety of food and drinks and a dining room that overlooks the courses.

#HappyValleyPA public golf courses include Toftrees Golf Resort, Penn State Blue Course, Penn State White Course, Mountain View Country Club and Skytop Mountain Golf Club.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events