Golden Oaks GC
Fleetwood, PA (just outside Reading, PA)
1994, Jim Blaukovitch
Championship 7106, 74.4, 128, 72
Back 6628, 72.0, 127, 72
Middle 6057, 69.4, 123, 72
Directions, from Philly: 76 W to 422 W, when you come to Route 662 go N, the course is 13 mi. on R.
'06 Fees: $65 Wknd Ride
1-3 $55
3-5 $39
5-Dusk $27
$45 Fri ride
$33 Wkdy Ride
Golfcourse.com Review: This course was built on rolling hills, so expect many uneven lies. Some of the fairways were carved out of a wooded area. The greens are larger than average and some of them are multi-tiered. Water hazards (four ponds) come into play on four holes. The most difficult hole is #17, a 469-yard, par 4, featuring a slight dogleg left fairway, out-of-bounds stakes on the left, trees on the right, and a green that is well-bunkered. Carts are mandatory everyday until 4 PM. In addition to the regulation course, this facility offers a state-of-the-art learning center, featuring a dual-end driving range highlighted by sheltered tees, indoor hitting areas with nets, and video analysis equipment. The driving range features greenside and fairway bunkers and fifty grass stations. Discount rates go into effect on weekends after noon and again after 4 PM.
Golfcourse.com Player Reviews averaged 5.0, all raved about conditions, pace of play, staff.
Per my buddy Gil: Worth the 75-90 minute drive from Philly, a good course in excellent condition. Reminded him of Pilgrim's Oaks. Free range balls.
Per Bob R., a great course about a half mile from his house.
Best Bar Nearby: Golf buddy Alan Nelson always raved about the casual, outdoor, cook-your-own-steak atmosphere at Tiki Bar (1150 Manatawney Rd, Boyertown). So I had to check it out. If you're anywhere up Rt. 422 and hungry or thirsty, you gotta make the effort to get to this joint. This self-proclaimed "Island-theme restaurant on the ragin' Manatawney River" is a unique experience out in the middle of nowhere. Proprietor Jim Finegan is well-travelled and well-partied, and he modeled Tiki Bar after the great bars of the world in places like the Carribean, New Orleans, and Key West. It pulls off that "beenthere forever" feel with discarded knick-nacks in every corner and vacation postcards from regulars adorning the walls. You'll see Philly suburbanites dressed in Tommy Bahama next tomulletedNascar-fan locals, but all of them managing to get into the laid-back island mindset.
Steaks, kabobs, wings, fish, clams, salads, etc. are sold raw and ala carte from a deli case. From there it's "cook your own" on the large open grills that dominate the dining room and patio, with sauces, spices, and marinades at the ready. Try the spicy cajun steak, it's outstanding. Douse it in hot sauce and grill it on a hot spot.
Extremely friendly and energetic staff. Outdoor bar and dining area on the river features a grill and bonfire pit, riverfront seating, lush vegetation, is suprisingly bug-free, and sees up to 150 people during Summer. Witha soundtrack ofJimmy Buffet and a hip, eclectic collection of obscure modern jazz, blues, swing, and soul, the Hurricane as the house drink, and beads on sale at 4-for-a-Buck, you can see how this place can get pretty crazy.
3 Warnings: You will very likely get lost trying to find this place, but it's a Must Find. You will likely end up HAMMERED way out here in the middle of nowhere, so plan ahead with a designated driver. And get there early and eat a snack before you go, especially on weekends; it's popular despite it's remote location. So much so that they valet park (free) out of necessity despite a large lot, and cars often queue up on the road, waiting for spots to open up. Table wait times can exceed an hour when it's hoppin'.The experience is worth the hassle.It does empty out semi-early despite the crowds.
Check out various Tiki-themed bars nationwide at http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?
The only Gentlemen's club in the area is Baby Dolls (1401 Ben Franklin Pkwy aka 422, Douglassville, opens 4PM daily,R on Old Airport, L onto 422 aka BFP). Taken for the dive that it is, you gotta love this joint. The outside of the place is just run-down enough that you almost wonder if it's even in operation anymore (it is). It's hard to believe this same building once housed a thriving tiki lounge called Rummy's Polynesian House back in the '60's through the early-'80's, according to Critiki.com. The interior is so dark when you walk in that once the door closes behind you, you actually have to just stand still for a few seconds to let your eyes adjust enough to see where the bar is. Then you realize the floors of the joint are unpainted particle board, with a small stage 15 feet behind a V-shaped bar. The talent is limited but passable (as you'd expect for a joint this far out in the sticks), but the couch dances are worth the $20, and it's the first place I've been to that actually offers a nekkid-couch-dance option for $40. And I'd be remiss if I didn't give a rare recommendation for the Champagne Room. Despite Carmella's protestations that there's a camera back there, there didn't seem to be a lot of rules, and no direct bouncer supervision.
Where to Grub: Oak Leaf Grille on-premisis. OR, Bob recommends The Bar-B-Q Pit in Reading (12 miles away, 610-678-9696, www.barbqpit.20m.com, 4741 Penn Ave, Sinking Spring PA). This place has history: "Lucky" Deligiannis came over from Greece and opened a restaurant in 1979. For the restaurant's 5th anniversary party, Lucky set up a barbeque pit out front to serve barbeque chicken platters. It was an instant hit and Lucky ran it for two weeks. He re-established the barbeque pit the following summer. The smoke enticed passersby to stop in. Year after year saw additions to the barbeque shack including beer taps and a permanent pavilion. Lines for the barbeque kept getting longer. In 1992 a fire burned down the original restaurant and "The Pit" became a permanent substitute. The 90's saw more growth, a cabana bar, and more seating to become the restaurant it is today. In addition to having solid "Q", their all-you-can-eat specials are unbelievable. All-you-can-eat BBQ chicken is only $8 and comes with (get this): two sides, AND a soda AND TWO DRAFT BEERS. Most places cost more than that for two drafts. The all-you-can-eat ribs, chicken, and sliced pork is only $12 for the same deal.
Open 7 days a week, 11 AM - Midnight
My Mom recommends BBQ chain Smokey Bones (2723 N Meridian Blvd, Reading, 610-375-9580, www.smokeybones.com). Atmosphere similar to a Lone Star Steakhouse, menu features pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, BBQ chicken, smoked brisket, St. Louis and baby back ribs, and steaks.
Further Distractions: The folks at VF in Reading PA invented outlet shopping. One year they had waay too much inventory, no great way to get rid of it, and an unused warehouse next door. Next thing you know… Walla! Outlet shopping was invented. I remember going there as a kid when they were truly selling seconds and production rejects, and you still had to tear through piles of clothes and look them over thoroughly to make sure they didn't have holes or cuts or seams ripped out. Nowadays outlet shopping pretty much means last year's line on sale at 20% off.
www.readingberkspa.com/shopping/Index.asp?SubCategory=Outlets
http://local.yahoo.com/results?csz=Reading%2C+PA&stx=shopping+outlets