PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (April 4, 2007) – Shearon Golf, the all-inclusive golf course design, construction and maintenance company led by architect Ed Shearon, scored an across-the-board sweep when golf publications announced their annual awards this year.
Shearon, who designed three courses in the Greater Philadelphia area and opened them in 2003, 2004 and 2005, has gained a reputation for his minimalist design. In 2003 he opened RiverWinds, on the Delaware River directly across from Philadelphia International Airport. In 2004, he debuted The Vineyards at Renault Winery, just outside Atlantic City. In 2005, he opened Raven’s Claw, in the rolling Pennsylvania hills of Limerick His design philosophy obviously struck a chord with both golfers and golf course raters.
The most recent Golfweek statewide ratings listed Raven’s Claw among the Top 10 daily fee courses in Pennsylvania, while The Vineyards cracked the Top 10 daily fee list in New Jersey.
In Northeast Golf magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Shearon’s designs swept through a number of categories. All three courses were listed among the Top 50 daily fee courses in the Northeast.
In Northeast Golf’s individual categories, Shearon’s work received the highest commendations. Raven’s Claw was selected among the Top 10 New Courses in the region for 2006. It also was honored among the Top 10 Golf Communities. The Vineyards also snatched two more awards. It was selected among the Top 10 Resort Courses in the region, as well as being named among the Top 10 Conditioned Courses.
"It’s very gratifying to see that all three courses are being appreciated by the critics and the general public alike," said Shearon. "We worked hard to produce the best possible courses at affordable prices.
"All three courses are distinct," Shearon went on to explain. "Although they are all minimalistic, we let the site dictate the style. Also, the style comes from listening to the client."
RiverWinds is an open, windy site that was built on a brownfield along the Delaware River. Because the ground did not percolate well, major attention was paid to drainage. Also, to allow for the wind, wide corridors were created for each hole and the routing is a series of triangles, so that the golfer is dealing with the wind from constantly changing directions.
The Vineyards is a resort course that needed to appeal to two different categories of golfers. For competitive golf and for the discerning traveler, it needed to challenge the better golfer. From the back tees, The Vineyards carries the second-highest rating (74.9) in New Jersey. For the resort golfer, it needed to be playable from the forward tees, provide a faster pace of play and allow golfers to find their ball easily.
Raven’s Claw utilized the best variety of terrain of all three sites – with flowing streams, rolling hills and large hardwood trees. The goal was to create a classic golf course that followed the strategic style of the legendary architects of the Philadelphia area.
"If golfers go to all three courses, they wouldn’t think the same person designed them," explained Shearon.
For more information or photography, contact Shearon Golf at 610-828-9488 or TL Golf Services at 610-279-9220.
Contact:
TL Golf Services
610-279-9220
