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Historic Public Courses
A list of public courses in Western Pennsylvania with historical significance
Sunday, April 08, 2007

Beaver Valley Golf Club, Beaver Falls: One of the oldest courses in Pennsylvania, Beaver Valley was founded as a private nine-hole facility in 1898 and later expanded to 18 holes. It became a daily-fee facility in 2002 when the members sold the club.

Butler's, Elizabeth: The original 18 holes were built in 1928 by John W. Butler, a road-builder and entrepreneur, on property that once served as a strawberry farm and airport. Nine more holes were added in 1963 and another nine in 2000.

Cedarbrook, Belle Vernon: The course was built in 1962 and expanded to 36 holes in 1986 under the direction of architect Michael Hurdzan. Cedarbrook's historical claim to fame is being the site where teenage sensation Michelle Wie became the first female to qualify for an adult male championship conducted by the USGA. Wie, 15, shot 1-over 145 on the Gold Course to qualify for the 2005 U.S. Amateur Public Links championship.

Mt. Lebanon Municipal, Mt. Lebanon: Originally built as the private 18-hole Castle Shannon Golf Club in 1908, Mt. Lebanon will celebrate its 100th anniversary this summer. The nine-hole layout was designed by one of Oakmont's original members, George Ormiston, and has greens influenced by Donald Ross.

Mount Odin, Greensburg: This short, hilly course, owned by the city of Greensburg, began with nine holes and became an 18-hole facility in 1930. It is built on the former estate of Dr. Frank Cowan, former secretary to President Andrew Johnson, who willed the land to the city for recreation.

Murrysville GC , Murrysville: Built by a Scottish immigrant, James Noble, in 1930, Murrysville has remained a popular destination for many East Hills residents. Noble, born in Glasgow, Scotland, built the course on vacant farmland that reminded him of his native country.

North Park, Allison Park: Built in 1931 by Allegheny County, North Park has been the site for many championships, including the 1965 National Public Links Championship.

Ohioview, Beaver: This nine-hole layout has been around since 1929, when it began with six holes on property along the Beaver River, near the Ohio border. It became nine holes in 1933.

Schenley Park, Pittsburgh: The oldest existing public course in Western Pennsylvania, Schenley Park was founded as the Pittsburgh Golf Club, a private facility, in 1897. It was the host to the first West Penn Open and West Penn Amateur championships in 1899 and became a public course owned by the city around 1910.

South Park GC, South Park: Like North Park, it was built by the county in 1931 and was the first course in the Pittsburgh area to be the host of the National Public Links championship in 1934.

First published on April 8, 2007 at 12:00 am