A Pennsylvania Golf Journey

With hundreds of golf courses statewide, Pennsylvania is home to some of the best golf and most spectacular scenery - and also to some of the most historic courses. A new documentary, A Pennsylvania Golf Journey, showcases Pennsylvania's rich golf history and breathes life into a time and place in golf's past that is rarely exposed.

A Pennsylvania Golf Journey premiered in October on WITF-TV in Harrisburg (see below for detailed broadcast schedule in major Pennsylvania markets).

Using vintage film footage, interviews and archival images, the documentary sheds light on Pennsylvania's long golfing tradition. "Viewers will discover how these courses were conceived and built, as well as some of the heroes of the game who graced their greens and fairways," commented Angel Hernandez, the program's executive producer. A Pennsylvania Golf Journey also features interviews with legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk - both of whom give their unique insights about golf in Pennsylvania.

The one-hour program takes viewers on a journey to five of Pennsylvania's most celebrated golf courses, starting with Foxburg Country Club - America's oldest continuously used golf course. It was established in 1887 when Joseph Mickle Fox, a member of the Merion Cricket Club, brought the game of golf home to Pennsylvania from Scotland.

Speaking of Arnold Palmer, the second stop of the journey is Latrobe Country Club, where Palmer honed his skills. In an interview, he describes growing up near the then sixth hole of the course, which he says represents "golf as I've known it all my life."

The journey takes you next to Oakmont Country Club, designed by iron and steel tycoon Henry C. Fownes. Oakmont is host to more national championships than any other course in the nation - the most famous of which is the 1962 U.S. Open when twenty-two year old Jack Nicklaus beat beloved Pennsylvanian Arnold Palmer.

The documentary goes on to explore how the little town of Hershey came to be such a haven for golfers such as Henry Picard, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. In fact, it was Hogan who was hand picked by Milton Hershey to represent his new club, The Country Club of Hershey, as their touring professional from 1941-1951.

Next stop is the Merion Golf Club - home of Bobby Jones' incredible Grand Slam victory in 1930. Merion was built in 1911 and has been voted one of the top 10 in the nation by several golf magazines.

Further information on A Pennsylvania Golf Journey is available at www.witf.org. The site includes behind the scenes photos, Pennsylvania golf trivia, links to various golf Web sites and the show trailer. Videocassettes ($19.95) and DVDs ($24.95) are available at www.witf.org or by calling (voice) 1-800-233-9483. Please note that you may pre-order, but videos and DVDs will not be available until October 21.

If all this golf history gets you in the mood to play, search through hundreds of Pennsylvania courses using PlayandStayinPA.com's course search. Then keep a personalized inventory of your favorite Pennsylvania courses using the My Golf Bag feature. Or look for golf and activity packages to get discounts on lodging, meals, cart fees, and more.

Statewide Broadcast Dates

WITF, Harrisburg

December 7, 11:30 a.m., and December 8, 8 p.m.

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