2010 Member's Tournament Schedules                                                                             

  Away from the constant buzz of traffic, the clear air disturbed only by the sweet notes of birdsong and the thwock of a well-hit-ball, the golf course at Buck Hill Falls is rich with reminders of the early days of golfing. Unlike many of today's courses, this one was not designed to sell expensive homes or to make money for an entrepreneur; this one was built purely for the enjoyment of the game. And, for 95 seasons the residents and neighbors of Buck Hill Falls have been indulging their love of the sport right here amidst the peaceful mountain views and quiet wildlife of this lovely spot.

There is a rich history to be told about the beginnings of this course. In 1988 golf fever took the United States by storm and by 1910 there were 150,000 golfers nationwide. So perhaps it is not too surprising that just six years after the community of Buck Hill Falls was first organized, in 1901, its first nine-hole golf course was built.

At first there was nothing on site but the course itself. But within a year, in 1908, a small golf house was constructed and the following year it was improved by the addition of plumbing, a small kitchen, and some lockers. The game's popularity grew so swiftly that in the early days improvements and enlargements were called for every few years.

A fieldstone shelter was erected in 1910, high on a hill with a glorious view of the surrounding mountains. It still stands today, providing a welcome haven from the occasional shower.

By 1911, even the ladies had joined the fun, playing the game in their high-necked blouses and ground-sweeping skirts. They held a fair to raise funds for the building of a chimney (still used as the clubhouse fireplace) and sold homemade cakes and candies to pay for the serving of afternoon tea and other refreshments for the men after the weekend tournaments.

A golf professional from Scotland, David Guthrie, was engaged in 1909. He remained as the Buck Hill Falls pro through the 1940 season. In 1915, few years after Guthrie joined the staff, the size of the course was doubled and it soon earned a reputation as the best golf course in the Pocono area.

With all this expansion, it wasn't long before there weren't enough local boys to serve as caddies. About 25 or 30 Boy Scouts were recruited from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. A tent city to house them, Camp Major, was erected and soon a large stone building was constructed to provide a kitchen and dining hall for the boys, as well as a drying room where the caddies could dry their clothes after rainy days on the course. The camp grew to accommodate as many as 75 caddies, all of whom worked under the supervision of an Indian guide known as "Chubb." The Buck Hill Falls Company even bought a nearby lake to provide the caddies with an opportunity to swim or boat during their off hours. Of course, during the years of World War I, many of the older caddies were called into military service. Nonetheless, Camp Major survived for many years past that time.

Perhaps the greatest and longest-lasting change to take place on the Buck Hill course came with the hiring of legendary links designer Don Ross in 1922. Known for the challenging slope of his greens, his classic mounding around bunkers and greens, and his use of vistas marked by tall trees and meandering waterways, Ross rebuilt all 18 original holes. His friendly putting greens, open in the front of the green so shots can roll up onto it, have been copied more recently on the newest nine-hole addition to the Buck Hill course. And, over the ensuing 80-plus years, only four of the 18 Ross-designed holes have been changes in any significant manner.

Now, some 100 plus years after its origin, the course encompasses 27 holes. A charming stone clubhouse has grown around the original structure and now boasts a dining room and bar as well as a well-equipped pro shop and the necessary locker rooms and showers. The camp of caddies no longer exists, but there is a squadron of golf carts for those who wish to use them.

                                                                                                      2010

                                                                          BUCK HILL GOLF CLUB  SCHEDULE

        Reserve these dates now!

       MEN’S TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

APRIL

10 Saturday………………………Golf Course opens for season (tentative date)

MAY

28 Friday ……………………….. Twilite Mixed Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

29 Saturday & 30 Sunday..………PJ Murray Memorial Day Match Play, 8:30 a.m., tee times                 

JUNE

1 Tuesday..................................... Buck Hill Pro-Am

11 Friday…………………………Mixed Twilite Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

12 Saturday & 13 Sunday……...Men’s Guthrie Cup - Ryder Cup Style Format, 8:30 a.m.

26 Saturday ……………………. Mixed Club Championship, 8:30 a.m., shotgun

JULY

2 Thursday.....................................Twilite Mixed Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

4 Sunday ....................................... Fun Day, Closest to Pins, Longest Drives, etc.

10 Friday ………………………....Twilite Mixed Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

15 Thursday……………………...Men’s Member-Guest Invitational Practice Round

16 Friday & 17 Saturday ………..Men’s Member-Guest Invitational, 8:00 a.m., tee times

                                                          (Dinner-Dance Saturday Night)

24-25 Saturday …………………..Parent-Child (Play Either Day) 8:30 a.m.

26 Sunday……………………….. Couples Golf, 1:00 p.m.

26-27 Monday................................  Golden Years Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

30 Friday ………............................Twilite Mixed Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun 

                                                       
AUGUST

1 Sunday ………………………... Battle of the Sexes, 8:30 a.m.

1 Sunday & 2 Monday..................Junior Club Championship, 2:00 p.m.

6 Friday...........................................Twilite Couples Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

7 Saturday......................................Strode Memorial Mixed Member-Guest

14 Saturday & 15 Sunday...........Starr Memorial Men's Club Championship, Qualifying Round, 8:00 a.m.

20 Friday ………………………...Twilite Mixed Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

21 Saturday & 22 Sunday……...Starr Memorial Men’s Club Championship – Semi-final 

                                                        & Championship Rounds, 8:00 a.m., tee times              

SEPTEMBER

3 Friday..........................................Twilite Mixed Couples Golf, 5:00 p.m., shotgun

4 Saturday.....................................Tournament of Roses, 8:30 a.m.

10 Friday…………………………Men’s Member-Member Stag Dinner, 7:00 a.m.

11 Saturday & 12 Sunday ……..Men’s Member-Member Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

17 Friday…………………………Twilite Mixed Couples Golf Finale, 4:30 p.m.