Kimberton GC
Phoenixville, PA
1970, George Fazio
Blue 6324, 69.4, 123, 70
White 6016, 67.6, 118, 70
'06 Fees: $49 Ride Wknd
$39 Wkdy Ride
Call for twilight rates, tee times 7 days in advance
Directions: Route 100 North to Route 113. Right onto Route 113 North to Route 23. Left onto Route 23 West 1 mile to “Y” intersection with Route 724 and bear left, continuing on Route 23 West for 1½ miles to the Club on left.
*Free weekday greens fees within a week of your birthday if you sign up for their E-club.
Fat Guy Review: This is the first course George Fazio ever designed. Just basic, old school golf, with one row of trees separating most of the fairways. Pretty straight forward, mostly straight holes. The maintenance and conditioning are OK but certainly not great, and when I played it after a couple days of rain there were quite a few spots where there was standing water in both the rough and sometimes-squishy fairways. The bunkers have steep faces and are overdue for a good edging, there's only a few water hazards to deal with, and there are a couple superlong par 4's. It's not a bad layout for the money, but due to the cheap greens fees (particularly on weekdays during summer), there's a preponderance of retirees and teenagers out here that make for a packed course and pace of play issues. So chances are you'll end up with a foursome of senior ladies playing like Mrs. Havecamp in front of you holding you up, while the 16-year-old from the group behind who can hit it 295 keeps hitting into you. If you're patient, it's worth a try and won't break the bank. A good spot for beginners. Rating: 6.0
Best Bar Nearby: There's a classic old school golf course grill on premisis (the kind with green Astroturf carpeting) with beer on tap and serving burgers & 'dogs. If you're headed south on Rt. 113, try the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery (519 Kimberton Rd aka Rt. 113, www.slyfoxbeer.com). For grub that matches their hand-crafted microbrews, try the wings, the crab fries topped with crab meat and melted cheddar-jack, the ribs, the bratwurst sandwich, the burgers, the steaks, or the gyro. Monday is 1/2 price wing night.
Where To Grub: For good wings, the Big Brown Bear from the Downingtown Football website says go to Rocco's (517 Kimberton Rd aka Rt. 113, Phoenixville) when you want wings. Around here, he'll take Rocco's as the best. Also, try their taco pizza.