Seven Springs Mountain R&GC
Seven Springs, PA (about 75 minutes SW of Pittsburgh, near Somerset PA)
Designed by regional architect Xenophon Hassenplug
Blue 6560, 130, 72.5
White 6185, 128, 70.6
'09 Fees: $75 prime time, $70 mid-week, $5 discount for hotel guests, $39 twilight, weekend golf packages from $360pp
Fat Guy Notes: I used to go to this place a couple times a year as a kid for day trips with my parents. They had a heated indoor pool which was great for swimming during non-summer months. I might have skied there once or twice in high school, and I think my Senior prom was there. It was an OK, semi-old school resort. I have no idea what kind of money or upgrades they've put into it in the last 20 years, but it did win Ski Magazine's 2008 #1 Ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic, so they must be keeping up with the times.
Never heard much about the golf course. You can bet by the terrain it would be hilly with lots of elevation changes and surrounding woods and pines.
One of Seven Springs' par-3 was nominated as one of PA's best by PennsylvaniaGolf.com:
"Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, No. 11, 209 yards - This would be a toughie if it was a dainty 135 yards. But with both the blues and the whites playing about 200 yards, this downhill gem can look like a black diamond run to a beginning skier at the nearby slopes for which this resort is famous. Water laps right up to the right edge of the green and a large sand bunker snares balls that shy away from the wet stuff."
From the website: ...[the course] takes full advantage of its mountainous vistas and the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands with colorful landscaping and lush fairways...
Best Bar Nearby: The on-site Tee Top Lounge is a good spot for a beer and a bite to eat. Or, the resort's Bavarian Lounge serves mountain-sized sandwiches, ales, and is a great spot to catch the game on one of their big screens. Live music.
Where To Grub: The on-site restaurants include:
The Slopeside Dining Room- A varied menu from upscale to family dishes.
Timbers- American fare with an artistic flair in a warm and unique atmoshphere.
Pizza Place- Gotta keep the kids happy too. Gourmet pizzas, Italian paninis, snacks, open late night.
Further Distractions: Bouncing Eurobungy, mountain ATV tours, rock climbing wall, paint ball, mountain biking, guided fishing tours, sport clay shooting, wagon rides, horseback riding, mini-golf, bowling, and an Alpine Slide.