(Hershey, PA) – The West Course at Hershey Country Club, which exemplifies the tradition and prestige of championship golf that is at the heart of the Hershey Resorts’ golf experience, will undergo a complete restoration and renovation project, starting in the fall of 2008.
Designed by Maurice McCarthy in 1930 and consistently ranked among the best resort golf courses in the nation by major golf publications, the remodeling of the West Course is to be under the direction of Lester George, head of George Golf Design in Richmond, Va. The course is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2010.
“We are excited to begin planning for what is the first complete renovation in the history of the West Course,” said Ned Graff, Director of Golf at Hershey Country Club. “Our focus is to preserve and honor the legacy of the West Course. We want to be great caretakers of its legacy.”
George, who has produced award-winning restoration work, is highly regarded for renovating unique and traditional qualities in prestigious, older golf courses. Virtually every corner of the West Course will be affected by the project, which will modernize drainage and irrigation throughout the property, as well as elevate the soil and turfgrass quality to United States Golf Association standards. There will be a total redesign of four holes – Nos. 8 and 9 on the front and Nos. 16 and 18 on the back – as well as new bunkering from tee to green on each hole.
“Preserving the personality of an established golf course is an integral aspect of our designs,” said George, who conducted the restoration of The Old White Course at the Greenbrier. “The modernization of Hershey’s West Course will result in improved playablility and sustainability for future. I call it a ‘resto-vation.’ We will follow the footprint of Maurice McCarthy’s best work and provide the qualities that were missing.”
The West Course hosted the PGA Championship in 1940, when Byron Nelson defeated Sam Snead in the finals of what then was a match-play event, 1 up. The course also has been host for events on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and LPGA Tour.
“This is a special project,” George said. “It is important to restore Hershey Country Club to its past prominence as a staple of championship golf.”
The Hershey Golf Collection features 63 holes of golf – the West and East courses at Hershey Country Club, the newly added Hershey Links (formerly Wren Dale Golf Club) and the historic Spring Creek Golf Course. During renovation of the West Course, all three of the other courses will be available for play.
For details about the Hershey Golf Collection, visit HersheyGolfCollection.com.
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is known the world over as The Sweetest Place On Earth. The destination’s wide array of attractions includes Hersheypark, ZooAmerica, The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, Hershey Highmeadow Campground, Hershey Country Club, Hersheypark Stadium, Hersheypark Arena, Hershey Bears professional hockey team and Giant Center.
Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania, three hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia, and 90 minutes from the Washington/Baltimore metro area.
Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations ? East
908-876-5100
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
www.hunter-pr.com
Megan Adair
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
717-520-5158
madair@hersheypa.com
www.hersheypa.com
