The new kid on the block-The Phoenix at Buffalo Valley!
From the ashes has risen the Phoenix at Buffalo Valley golf course in Freeport, Pa! Formally the Buffalo Valley CC the facility is under new management with the Nese Family who owns Glengarry Golf Links in Latrobe taking over ownership in partnership with the Dargenzio Family. An easy ride up Route 28 from Pittsburgh or only 30 Minutes from Westmoreland and Beaver Counties, even closer from Butler County. In the past, she hosted the "U.S. Amateur Qualifiers”; today she's re-opening this summer and will be ready for you!
By far the most drastic change occurs right off the bat with the original #1 tee box being demolished and being moved back and towards the trees to make the fairway, green and a previously hidden lake visible on this dramatic and lengthy par 5 from the white Buffalo tees. The clearing of the tree line on the leftside of the fairway revealed this 2nd water feature to accompany the lake near the green on this opening hole.
No two holes are alike at the Phoenix. Her layout goes from wide open fairways to bottle necked greens. She moves from the floor of the Allegheny Valley to the back nine providing vistas from high atop the ridge line. Each hole is distinctly different and challenging. The newly trimmed Hole # 9 has you firing from deep out of the woods from the tees and trying to cut the left side of the more open fairway. Then you have to fire up hill and onto the Scottish style green with two newly added bunkers in the front. This is one of the best greens in our region. She is fast and an errant shot will have you rolling off the green.
Just when you thought it could not get any better; welcome to one of the best back nines in the Tri-State. Again it's the layout and use of the natural topography that is paramount on this nine’s delight. Hole # 10, previously a par 5, has been changed into a brilliant par 4 in at 458yds. Off the tees beware of the fescued pond to your left. Then suddenly the fairway drops off into a hillside on the left. Now you are set for your second shot into “The Devil's Green”, as I call her. She is encircled by trees, is narrow, skinny and long. She is doomed shaped and your shot must play into the center of the green or you will find yourself rolling off into one of the sand trap that guards her on the right. Simply a great hole!
# 11 will have you mesmerized and thinking you are in the high country of Colorado! This Par 3 161yd dandy has an elevated green with a lovely rock formation and 100 ft. high pine trees surrounding it. Nature abounds here. Lovely hole and tough too!
Any real course has you fighting right until the very last swing and # 18 will make you tighten your chin strap. Originally a par 4, #18 has been expanded with new tee boxes to a par 5 playing 520 yards from the back Phoenix Tees. Teeing off into a gradually inclining fairway that dog legs left is your first task. Risk/Reward is a way of life here at the Phoenix. The green is fronted by a mammoth sand trap. Go for it and you just might win. Come up short and get ready to add strokes to your card.
Afterwards enjoy a post round drink and beverage in the clubhouse or on the awesome deck that overlooks the 9Th green and provides an spectaculat view of the mountains, valley and skyline. I can’t say enough about the Phoenix. Go play her and enjoy her and I know she will be on your, “I got play here again” list!
Developed by: The Nese & Dargenzio Families
© 2011 - The Phoenix at Buffalo Valley. All Rights Reserved
