One Resort, Two Courses Combine for Duffers Paradise at Seven Springs Mountain Resort
The afternoon light breaks softly in the Laurel Highlands, the greens dappled in sunlight and fairways bathed in the first signs of the golden evening hours. Stroking another driver toward the middle of the fairway, we’ve hit a groove rarely achievable for the amateur unless he or she has the chance to warm up properly and play back-to-back or more rounds in a short period of time. Far from the bustle of the workday, we focus, follow our pre-shot routine and loft our 8-iron toward the green. As we approach with a birdie in sight, we know we’ve hit the sweet spot, those days when golf assumes the primary activity in our otherwise busy lives.
Any duffer will tell you golf getaways are different than other vacations, an opportunity to immerse oneself in shared passion for the game, to share the tee box and golf conversation with friends and family. A trip to Seven Springs and Hidden Valley Golf Club this summer offers a little bit of golf bliss less than one hour from where Arnold Palmer shaped his game in Latrobe. Like one of Arnie’s par-5 drives, Seven Springs Mountain Resort has launched one- and two-night packages designed for a perfect golfing getaway from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
The best golf getaways include course variety and interesting play. Players also want to maximize playing time by eliminating inconveniences. Seven Springs Mountain Resort allows you to play two courses while based at one resort. You won’t have to deal with directions or wedging in tee times against the clock; in fact, the only wedge that should concern you is the one in your hands when you approach the well-maintained championship greens.
Summer
- Wine Festival, Aug 24-26
- Autumnfest, Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-7, 13-14 & 20-21
The quality of the courses is another key to crafting an unforgettable golfing getaway. The 6,500-yard Seven Springs course epitomizes mountain golf. We begin or end our round in cool alpine air, cardinals and wrens calling from the wood. As we stroll through the forests, we breathe in vistas of the Laurel Highlands. When we climb the fairways, incredible views avail themselves in every direction. The layout itself will challenge a seasoned player to make birdies and encourage a novice to relax and stripe a drive or two down the broad fairways.
“What a great course and layout,” wrote Brian M. after a recent round. “The course was in phenomenal condition. Greens were plush and fast. Fairways cleaned daily, no leaves. Great pro shop with very knowledgeable and friendly folks there to help. Food was great and the deck was amazing.”
A mountaintop 19th hole is one reason an overnight package makes so much sense. Playing Seven Springs and Hidden Valley on consecutive days leaves plenty of time to hangout with friends and watch the sunset over the forest. Evenings are for golf talk and, inside Seven Ten Bistro, the Bavarian Lounge or The Grille at Sporting Clays, you’ll likely hear plenty of birdy boasts with a few bogey woes thrown in.
On a clear day, you can see upwards of 30 miles in all directions from the Hidden Valley Golf Club. The course follows natural fall lines and contours of the mountain in a way that translates into plenty of roll and some interesting lies. The results forge a course that, like Seven Springs, will exercise every club in your bag, always a sign for a fun round.
The par-5 fifth hole is a prime example of how much fun can be had at Hidden Valley. Big hitters might reach the green in two with a precise drive and strong approach, but they also face the challenge of a meandering creek that fronts the narrow landing area before the green. The lengthy green on the par-3 eleventh can mean a two- to three-club difference when it comes to your tee shot. Almost every hole at Hidden Valley requires some careful planning, a track that clearly favors the cerebral player.
Fortunately, deciding whether to visit requires no thought at all, thanks to packages that are as competitive as any golf resort in the east. The One-Night Package includes lodging at Seven Springs and a round with cart at both Seven Springs and the Hidden Valley Golf Club. You’ll receive a complimentary breakfast and a warm-up bucket of balls, as well as access to the swimming pool and fitness center. Starting at just $151 per person, this golf getaway tees off on May 24 and runs until September 27.
The Two-Night Package also launches on May 24. This deal includes two nights’ lodging at Seven Springs, two rounds of golf at Seven Springs and one round at the Hidden Valley Golf Club, both with cart privileges. You’ll get breakfast each morning and complimentary range balls, as well as trips to the pool and fitness center in case you wish to work out your swing. This package starts at $262, or about the price of just greens fees for three rounds on a championship course.
A couple of nights’ golfing with buddies, a spouse, girlfriends, or the kids—both courses accommodate junior players and are a great way to launch your summer golf game and vacation schedule. At Seven Springs you’ll find plenty of places to eat, trails to walk, and other entertainment to make for an outstanding escape. So, dust off that 3-wood, don your plus fours, and head to the Laurel Highlands for an exceptionally carefree and affordable golf getaway.