Glenmaura National - Pennsylvania - USA

Glenmaura National is a very good Hurdzdan-Fry mountain design located in Moosic, PA. I am a fan of walking golf courses, but the front nine requires you to be a mountain climber. As far as the holes go, there are a lot of good ones, elevation changes and forced carries make this a fun, but difficult round of golf. Many dramatic holes and always in good condition. Worth a play in the Northeast PA area.

Glenmaura is a nice course at the base of Montage Mountain. The playing field traverses a very hilly landscape. It's always in very good condition. The course is cut through a forest and the holes are framed by that forest on most of the holes. Anyone who plays there meets the 18th hole and wonders. Initially the two greens played as one. Now they are separated but immediately adjacent to each other. This is a club which prides itself with it's membership and playing is much more restrictive than most of similar standing. NE Pa has always had a very competitive landscape of players and there are a few very good courses nearby.

The duo of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry created a number of fine layouts during their partnership together. Hurdzan excelled on the turf side and Fry provided the critical "eye" in being able to adroitly create holes that would standout and capture a golfer's attention.

Glenmaura National can be a difficult test -- especially for those with a wayward driver. The holes are framed by mature woods and the combination of holes makes for an interesting trek in the countryside.

Part of the issue I have with Glenmaura is that there's a tendency for a bit too much shaping when a more natural, and less invasive appearance, given the setting would likely have worked more effectively. Overall, the architecture is good -- just not especially riveting.

The ending hole features a split green -- with both protected by a water penalty area. It's certainly different, yet one has to wonder why the two greens were placed so near to one another.

M. James Ward