BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pennsylvania — One hundred and thirty years ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote about the very ancient sport of golf. It was being played, of all places, on the grounds of Bedford Springs Resort’s newly designed course, which was reported as “the home of the finest golf course in the United States.”

Stories about the course were abundant at the turn of the 20th century, with the outlet writing, “Golf continues the rage and leads all other games.”