By Bob Oliver
Middletown is a compact 80 acres of challenging golf, with rolling hills and large specimen trees that have watched many golfers travel its fairways over time. It has retained its old time feel with tees and greens in close proximity, allowing golfers to walk the course if they choose.
With host Tony Leodora will travel both near and far to bring viewers a look at some of the most spectacular golf destinations in the world!
What's the catch?
Heritage Creek has a mere six holes open for play. That's not a typo, that's S-I-X holes. If that isn't unique, nothing is.
The players come from throughout Bucks County, Philadelphia and New Jersey. They are scratch golfers and high handicap duffers alike, all in search of fairways and greens while swatting at a little white ball that all too often makes its way to high grass, sand and sometimes a watery grave.
They don't come to the Bensalem Township Country Club for its world class architecture or opulent clubhouse. Cart attendants don't surround you in the parking lot. Its fairways aren't immaculate, its greens aren't U.S. Open perfect.
These are exciting times at the Makefield Highlands Golf Club.
The three-year-old Lower Makefield Township club, a par-72 test designed by Rick Jacobson, continues to mature into an area favorite. Recent pleasant weather has brought out golfers — more than 700 last weekend — and player feedback is strong.
“It has been a great start to the year,” said Michael Collins, general manager and director of golf. “Our rounds played are up, we are seeing our pace of play is a little quicker, and we've been receiving good feedback comments from our customers.”
The contrast between Northampton Township today and 40 years ago is like salt and pepper.
In the early 1960s, Northampton was a vast area of dairy and sod farms sprinkled with less than 10,000 people at a time when most police officers were volunteers. It was so secluded that a Nike missile base (PH-07) was situated on what is now township recreational property just off Newtown-Richboro Road.
Phil Sklar saw the gently rolling hillside and had an idea.
My father was a visionary. He was a golf enthusiast who acted on his dreams (with some business partners) and commissioned golf course architect Edmund Ault to design a layout that would challenge golfers of all abilities, explained Gary Sklar.