This is the first of what I hope are several reports on how area golf courses are playing this summer.
My first stop is the Princeton Golf and Country Club, located on Highway 293.
I was the guest of Princeton Times-Leader sports editor Todd Griffin, a member of the club. I've only played on the course one other time back in 1986.
The 18-hole course lists at 5,990 yards from the white tees. It plays at 4,837 yards from the ladies.
I've always thought the layout of the PGCC in some ways mirrored Boots Randolph Golf Course at Lake Barkley. Both courses start with a par-4 hole that slightly winds left at the end. Both courses feature a long par-5 on #2. At Princeton, the green is protected by a man-made pond. When I played here in 1986, they were rebuilding this pond as part of a radical reconstruction of some holes.
Hole #3 is the toughest hole on the course by handicap and features one of the more interesting gadgets you'll find on a golf course. Because of the ridge in the middle of the fairway, there is a tall periscope a short distance from the tee box that allows you to see over ridge and into the fairway to see if the group in front of you is in the way. If they are in the middle of the fairway, they won't have to worry about my tee shot hitting them.
The course plays 37 out and 35 in. There are five par-3 holes on the course. None of them are what you would call impossible but they are cleverly protected by greens and streams which make them key to shooting a low round. I had three bogeys and two double-bogeys. You can guess how my round went.
All in all, the course was in pretty good shape. A little rough in some spots, but the greens played nice. I was able to read the breaks, and the greens played them. My trouble was guessing speed.
The course was either built in 1923 or 1931. I have found web sites that say both. The country club was finished in 1931. It's one of the older golf courses in the area, and as a result, has begun to show it's age. The PGCC has seen an increase in membership recently which has spurred some upgrades for the golf course.
There were new benches and nice stone markers recently installed on the course which are part of some initial improvements to the course.
All in all, it was an enjoyable round of golf despite the final score that appeared on my scorecard. I look forward to playing the course again after the upgrades are finished.
To read more about the upgrades to the Princeton Golf and Country Club, CLICK HERE.
NEXT WEEK: Arrowhead Golf Course
I miss one of several putts on the day on Hole #2.
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