The GC @ Morgan Hill
Easton, PA (just east of Allentown)
2004, Kelly Blake Moran
Par 71, 6749, 72.8, 135 from the tips
Tee times 14 days in advance
'09 Fees: $69 prime time ride (reduced from '08 $89 rate due to economy)
$54 Twilight after 13:00, $30 Sunset rate after 16:00
Per Delaware Valley Golfers Guide: Named to Golfweek's Top 40 Best New Courses for 2005. This mountaintop course offers dynamic terrain and breathtaking views. Several unique design characteristics include 6 split fairways, over 300 feet in elevation changes, oversized greens, grass hollows, and Moran's trademark geometric-shaped bunkers. Already heralded for it's 'silky smooth' greens.
"Purely a thinking man's course, with several options to score on every hole. It is as strategic a layout as you will ever play." -Head Pro Jeff Bebbino.
Overflowing with risk/reward scenarios, Morgan Hill requires strategy on every hole. Huge, full-service New England Shaker-style clubhouse.
Where To Booze & Grub Nearby: The on-site Vintage Restaurant has a classic L-shaped cherry wood bar with a decent TV set-up, and the upscale fare and wine list have consistenly won several area awards over the past few years.
Nearby Easton PA is a former canal center and railroad town which was so famous for Prohbition-era speakeasies, brothels, and police corruption that it earned the nickname "The Little Apple", so much so that it became a regular occurrence after the Madison Square Garden Friday night fights, crowds were known to chant "Going to Easton" en masse for the short rail trip 67 miles away from NYC.
Today's Easton has definitely lost some of that Prohibition luster, but it's still a nice throwback stop after a round at Morgan Hill. Head for Easton's Centre Square for a post-round round at one of the best monikered taverns Fat Guy has come across, simply called Drinky's (www.drinkys.com). If you're looking for a way to entertain the wife and kids for the day while you hit the links, drop them off at the Crayola Crayon Factory & Museum (www.crayola.com/factory), also on Centre Square in Exton.
For hip surroundings with trendy martinis in Easton, head for Ocean (235 Ferry). TravelGolf.com says, "The Raubsville Inn on Canal Road in Easton offers good Cajun cuisine overlooking the Delaware River."
See Also: Allentown PA Golf Weekend