The West Course at Hershey (Pa.) Country Club will undergo a complete restoration and renovation project, starting in the fall.
Designed by Maurice McCarthy in 1930 and consistently ranked among the best resort golf courses in the nation by major golf publications, the remodeling of the West Course is to be under the direction of Lester George, head of George Golf Design in Richmond, Va. The course is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2010.
“We are excited to begin planning for what is the first complete renovation in the history of the West Course,” says Ned Graff, director of golf at Hershey Country Club. “Our focus is to preserve and honor the legacy of the West Course. We want to be great caretakers of its legacy.”
George, who has produced award-winning restoration work, is highly regarded for renovating unique and traditional qualities in prestigious, older golf courses. Virtually every corner of the West Course will be affected by the project, which will modernize drainage and irrigation throughout the property, as well as elevate the soil and turfgrass quality to United States Golf Association standards. There will be a total redesign of four holes – Nos. 8 and 9 on the front and Nos. 16 and 18 on the back – as well as new bunkering from tee to green on each hole.
“Preserving the personality of an established golf course is an integral aspect of our designs,” says George, who conducted the restoration of The Old White Course at the Greenbrier. “The modernization of Hershey’s West Course will result in improved playablility and sustainability for future. I call it a ‘resto-vation.’ We will follow the footprint of Maurice McCarthy’s best work and provide the qualities that were missing.”
The West Course hosted the PGA Championship in 1940, when Byron Nelson defeated Sam Snead in the finals of what then was a match-play event, 1 up. The course also has been host for events on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and LPGA Tour.
“This is a special project,” George says. “It is important to restore Hershey Country Club to its past prominence as a staple of championship golf.”
The Hershey Golf Collection features 63 holes of golf – the West and East courses at Hershey Country Club, the newly added Hershey Links (formerly Wren Dale Golf Club) and the historic Spring Creek Golf Course. During renovation of the West Course, all three of the other courses will be available for play.
For details about the Hershey Golf Collection, visit www.hersheygolfcollection.com.