Saucon Valley (Grace)

Saucon Valley Country Club was formed in 1920 by a group of local businessmen, many of who were employed by the Bethlehem Steel company. Herbert Strong set out the Old course, the club’s original 18-hole layout, and this storied track has hosted a number of state and national professional and amateur competitions down the years.

To satisfy increased demand from its membership after World War II, the club constructed another 18-hole course, naming it after founder member and Bethlehem Steel President from 1916 to 1945, Eugene Gifford Grace.

Designed by the father and son architectural team of William and David Gordon, the Grace course was built in two stages with the first nine ready for play in 1953, followed four years later by the other nine.

The course is a long, demanding layout that complements the Old course and younger Weyhill course in terms of brute strength. There may be fewer fairway contours to contend with but there’s water and sand aplenty to keep you focused on the job in hand.

The much-respected Pennsylvanian architect Ron Forse has worked at Saucon Valley in recent times, tightening up the bunkering on the Weyhill and Old courses as well as revising the tees on the Grace course and submitting a long-term Improvement Plan for this layout.

There are highlight holes on the course, including replica Eden and Redan par threes at the 5th and the 11th, back to back short par fours at the 12th and 13th, and “Little Sahara,” the 429-yard 6th, where an enormous bunker protects the front and left side of the raised green.