Hosting PGA Championship, U.S. Amateur, and Senior PGA Championship, Links Feel "Most Challenging Golf Course"
Aronimink Golf Club is a regular tournament course that has hosted the PGA Championship and the BMW Championship. Photo by PGA official website
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I heard it is a very good golf course."
'Golf Queen' Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) made this remark about Aronimink Golf Club (par 70, 6,577 yards), the venue for this year's third major of the LPGA Tour, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. It is rated as one of the best courses in the United States every year. It ranks in the 'Top 100' in categories such as Greatest Courses, Toughest Courses, and Classic Courses selected by Golf Digest and Golfweek.
Located in Newtown Square near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1896 and has a history of 124 years. It is a typical membership 18-hole private club with indoor and outdoor tennis courts, paddle courts, a trap shooting range, swimming pool, and fitness center. It is a tournament course that has hosted major events such as the PGA Championship (PGA Tour major) in 1962, the U.S. Amateur in 1977, the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1997, and the Senior PGA Championship in 2003.
The PGA Tour AT&T National (2010-2011) and the Playoffs (PO) BMW Championship (2018) were held here. The PGA Championship will return in 2026. The course was designed by Donald Ross, a course architect born in Scotland, and renovated by Ron Prichard in 2003. It is famous as the golf course Ross was most attached to. The par-3 holes are downhill, while the par-4 and par-5 holes are uphill. Both the fairways and greens are bentgrass.
It has a links-like feel that preserves the natural terrain. It is characterized by the enjoyment of golf through its hazards. It is surrounded by deciduous and evergreen trees. There are 75 bunkers and numerous slopes, ponds, and streams lurking throughout. Most holes are dogleg in shape. Attacking the holes is not easy. Patience and endurance are required. It is a regular venue among the world's most difficult golf courses. The difficulty has been reduced by removing some trees on the course.
The course record is 62. It is held by five players: Nick Watney (2011), Tiger Woods (both USA), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Kevin Na (USA), and Tommy Fleetwood (England, all in 2018). There are seven par-4 holes over 400 yards. The 1st hole (par 4, 419 yards) has a relatively wide fairway and is manageable. It has a two-tiered green requiring precise iron shots. On the 2nd hole (par 4, 372 yards) and 6th hole (par 4, 375 yards), players need to reduce strokes.
Aroniming Golf Course's 8th hole is challenging due to its distance, pond, bunkers, and green. Photo by PGA official website
The 8th hole (par 3) on the front nine is difficult. At 204 yards, the distance is challenging. Players need to use a hybrid or long iron. There is a pond in front of the green and a bunker behind it. The green is small and diagonally slanted from left to right. Par is considered a success. The 10th hole (par 4, 420 yards) has a narrow fairway. There is a bunker on the right and deep rough on the left. The 11th hole (par 4, 393 yards) has 20 bunkers. The green is also tricky, often resulting in three-putts.
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