Location » Shawnee on Delaware, Pa.
Phone » 800-742-9633
Fees » Daily guest: $65 weekday, $90 weekend; Resort guest: $50/$70
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
Blue/Red 72/6800/126/72.0
Red/White 72/6599/123/71.5
White/Blue 72/6665/128/71.8
Conditions » 5
Layout » 5
Facilities » 5
Value » 4
* Out of a possible five golf balls
| Signature hole |
| No. 7 (Blue), par 3, 177 yards |
| There are two signature holes at Shawnee, side-by-side par 3s over the Delaware River. No. 7 of the Blue plays downhill out of a chute of trees to a severely sloped green. No. 2 of the Red (159 yards) plays uphill, between two huge trees. To reach the other side, players use the same clackety, wooden bridge, which is removed every winter when the course shuts down. |
Description » The history-laden resort in the Pocono Mountains celebrates its centennial this year. The unique course has 24 of 27 holes on an island in the Delaware River, which separates Pennsylvania from New Jersey. Although flat, the course is surrounded by mountains. It’s the only course in the Poconos with little elevation change.
Reasons to play » Immaculate conditions, mountain and river views, and an inspired A.W. Tillinghast design. This is a journey back in time to the facility’s golden age, chronicled in photos that adorn hallways and rooms in the Shawnee Inn.
Maiden voyage » This was the first course designed by Tillinghast, considered the dean of American golf architecture. His works include Bethpage, Baltusrol, Winged Foot, Newport, Somerset Hills, San Francisco and Five Farms (Baltimore).
Work in progress » A third nine-hole course (White) was added in the 1950s and fits well with the original. Owner Charlie Kirkwood, who took over in 1977 and has done much to revive the once-tired facility, is considering restoring and lengthening Tillinghast’s original 18 to attract professional tournaments and more exposure.
Approach course » Nighttime is the right time at Shawnee thanks to a lighted, short-game course, created by Tom Doak, who specializes in restoration projects. All nine of the holes are miniature versions of classics from the Tillinghast portfolio. Holes measure from 40 to 135 yards.
The Inn Thing » Originally called the Buckwood Inn, most of its 80 rooms have a veranda overlooking the river and mountains. Every morning, a thick mist rises off the river. Roomier accommodations include vacation cottages and the Delaware Lodge off the golf course.
Gem & Keystone » This is the place to eat and drink at Shawnee, inspired by the owner’s son, Pete Kirkwood, who established ShawneeCraft Brewing Company. Top selections include ribs, the hot pretzel appetizer, and the VSOP (very special old pale) ale. Much of the food and drink ingredients come from two gardens on the golf course. Shawnee produces its own maple syrup, honey, and soap.
Historic perspective » On the walls of the Shawnee Inn are great pictures of visitors such as President Dwight Eisenhower, Mickey Mantle, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead and Jackie Gleason, who learned to play here, whittling his handicap from 20 to scratch. The course hosted the 1938 PGA Championship, won by Paul Runyon, and the 1967 NCAA championship, captured individually by Hale Irwin (Colorado).
Toughest hole
No. 1 (Blue), par 4, 441 yards
Tough or unfair? Unless you can bomb it 300 yards, two huge willow trees will complicate any approach to this L-shaped dogleg left, the second longest par 4 at Shawnee.
Best hole
No. 5 (Red), par 4, 391 yards
There are a string of magnificent green sites on the Red nine, none better than No. 5, which is carved into the side of a hill with a single, huge tree guarding the right side and a bunker on the left.
Reachable hole
No. 5 (White), par 5, 471 yards
Five of the eight par 5s at Shawnee are less than 521 yards. The shortest and most reachable ones have the most intimidating drives. No. 5 on the White has water right and trees left, but players who split the fairway will be rewarded with a long iron or hybrid shot to an elevated green.
