Because the story goes, the Bethlehem Metal Membership, fashioned in 1934, employed one of many biggest course architects within the sport, Donald Ross to not solely design, however construct a championship golf course in 1946.
Ross, who’s credited with designing over 400 programs all over the world, has crafted a few of the best venues in the US, reminiscent of Aronimink, Plainfield, Scioto, Pinehurst #2, Inverness, Oak Hill (East), Oakland Hills (South) and Seminole, all ranked within the high 100 of Americas Biggest Programs.
The Metal Membership opened for play in 1948 and is thought to be certainly one of Ross’ remaining designs earlier than his loss of life in ‘48. In Pennsylvania alone, Ross is credited with creating 26 layouts! Admitted to the World Golf Corridor of Fame, Ross was an achieved participant as properly, successful the North and South Open thrice and the Massachusetts Open twice. He appeared in eight U.S. Opens (4 high 10s) and two Open Championships.
Though William and David Gordon had been concerned within the constructing of the course, make no mistake, that is Donald Ross. It seems that the Gordon’s added a further 9 holes in 1956 on the opposite aspect of Wassergass Street, which includes of holes 3-11. Ross is credited with crafting holes 1-2 and 12-18.
In 1986, the powers that be modified the identify of the course to Silver Creek Nation Membership, because it turned a non-public membership, managed by its members.
Three many years later, native businessman and resident David Spirk, who discovered to play golf on the membership at a younger age when his dad and mom joined in 1951, bought the venue and made a dedication to speculate at the least $2.5 million in enhancements and to maintain it as a non-public golf membership. As well as, Spirk renamed the course again to its authentic roots, the Metal Membership and is set to make it a top-notch nation membership.
“The plan is for 168 customized properties up on the highest ridge behind the driving vary,” mentioned head skilled Mark Chlebek. “As well as, a nine-hole par three golf course shall be constructed on the land the place the unique Hill Course was, and a giant health heart and turf bubble is a part of the grand scheme with a two-story driving vary.”
The Metal Membership has hosted a number of USGA qualifying occasions through the years, together with the 2024 U.S. Senior Open qualifier. Taking part in simply lower than 7,000 yards, the course stood up towards a few of the finest professionals and amateurs, as not one single participant broke par. Actually, the low rating was one-over par by 5 gamers, together with newbie Michael Brown, who certified for the Senior Open at Newport Nation Membership that yr.
“Though nothing is within the works at the moment, we’re at all times open to internet hosting key occasions, as we get pleasure from showcasing the place,” added Chlebek.
What number of programs are you aware that begin off with the toughest gap on the course? Not many, I can guarantee you. That is actually the case on the Metal Membership. The opening gap is a rugged, uphill par 4 that stretches 444 yards from the silver tees. The inexperienced slopes severely from left to proper and again to entrance. That’s one heck of an opener.
You’ll have an opportunity to get on again on the second, because it performs downhill at simply 303 yards in size. The placing floor is slick, so keep beneath the opening in your finest shot at birdie.
Some of the picturesque holes on the Metal Membership is the par three eighth. Taking part in at 181 yards and normally into the wind, you’ll want a top quality play off the tee, masking the fronting pond and negotiating the large inexperienced.
The eleventh gap is downhill off the tee, close to 90-degree, dogleg left par 4 of simply 410 yards. The important thing right here is putting your tee shot far sufficient previous the timber on the left to go away a straight shot to the inexperienced.
At 467 yards, the closing gap is the second most troublesome. Miss the large fairway left, and also you is perhaps out of bounds, whereas proper is a creek and timber. The 2-tiered inexperienced is 45 toes in size are exhausting to barter when the pin is again. Good luck when you want 4 right here to win your match!
Lastly, when you can play the Metal Membership make it occur.
As it’s with most golf programs, choose the precise tees to play from. The Metal Membership presents six units of tees, starting from 3,973 yards to a strong 6,997 yards. With all of the hills and slopes, the course performs longer than the yardage signifies.
In my estimation, the Metal Membership is a hidden gem that flies largely beneath the radar of most golf fans.
Let’s begin off with the circumstances. You’ll be hard-pressed to search out one other course within the area that’s in higher form from tee by way of inexperienced. Immaculate fairways, well-groomed bunkers and slick and undulating placing surfaces.
The membership alternatives are countless. From the Full Golf membership, with a really affordable initiation charge to the Restricted Household Golf membership, that options 25 full rounds per family, to the Social Membership, that has a small initiation charge. As well as, there’s a clubhouse and a eating membership with no initiation charges. So, the choices are fairly affordable. “We’re proper round 500 whole golfers for our membership, the healthiest the membership has been shortly, and 10,000 eating members,” continued Chlebek.
“Since I’ve been right here, the membership itself is a novel place,” added Chlebek. “The golf course is superior, and it adjustments each day relying on the place you place the pins. Sooner or later you’ll discover that the opening you’re on is seemingly a birdie likelihood and the following day you’ve gotten hassle making par. That’s what makes it such a novel place. It has somewhat little bit of every little thing for everyone.”
The underside line. The Metal Membership is a must-play!
