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Known for its unique chocolate appeal as a destination for meetings and corporate events, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts also has a storied history as a place for golf. Nestled in the rolling green hills of Central Pennsylvania, Hershey is a charming town where the crossroads of Chocolate and Cocoa avenues signal your arrival in The Sweetest Place On Earth " and to 63 holes of golf in the Hershey Golf Collection.
History
Golf started in Hershey in 1909, when chocolate-maker Milton S. Hershey built his towns first golf course, the nine-hole Hershey Golf Club. In 1930, Mr. Hershey had the now historic West Course built " incorporating some of the original 1909 course and passing literally through his own front yard " and opened his own home, High Point, up as the clubhouse for his newly-formed Hershey Country Club. Ever the visionary, two years later he built the Juvenile Golf Club, the first junior golf course in the United States. The 1940 PGA Championship was played in Hershey on the West Course, and golf legends Henry Picard and Ben Hogan each served as the head professional at the Hershey Country Club from 1934-1940 and 1941-1951 respectively.
From the first nine-hole course in 1909, golf in Hershey has grown to now include 63 holes on three championship courses and a junior course:
*West Course " Designed by Maurice McCarthy in 1930, the West is a classic example of a traditional American-style layout. The signature hole is the par-3, Hole #5, where the green is the literally the front lawn of High Point, the home of Hersheys Chocolate Company founder, the late Milton S. Hershey. Yardage is 6,860 yards; Par 73; Rating of 72.6; Slope Rating of 130.
*East " Designed by George Fazio and opened in 1969, the East features challenging elevated greens, man-made lakes, and more than 100 bunkers. The signature hole " and most difficult " is the par-4, Hole #15, with the fairway lined with water on both sides. Yardage is 7,061; Par 71; Rating of 74.5; Slope Rating of 136.
*Hershey Links " The newest course in the Hershey Golf Collection, Hershey Links features links-style golf with flowing fescue grasses on 175 acres of natural bluffs and ravines. Designed in 2000 by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, this course originally opened as a private membership club and was acquired in 2007 by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. One of the signature holes here is the par-4, Hole #17, where the tee affords a view of much of the golf course, The Hotel Hershey, the Milton S. Hershey School and Hersheypark. The downhill fairway is narrow and the kidney-shaped green, not visible from the tee, sits in a hollow framed by trees and protected by a creek. Yardage is 7,009 yards; Par 72; Rating of 73.6; Slope Rating of 137.
*Spring Creek " Built in 1932 by Milton S. Hershey and originally called the Juvenile Golf Club, this nine-hole course was the first-ever public golf course built in the United States for players under age 18. The course was designed by Maurice McCarthy in 1931 and renovated in 2006 under the guidance of Tom Clark. A signature hole is the par-4, Hole #1, the longest hole on the course, with an uphill shot from the fairway and bunkers left and right off the tee. Yardage is 2,125 yards; Par 33.
Golf as an event
Golf is a staple at Hershey, and Director of Instruction Andrew Dawes can customize group lessons and clinics to introduce more meeting attendees to the sport of golf or to help current golfers really improve their game. Dawes was named among the Top 20 Instructors in the United States Under Age 40 by Golf Digest, so Hershey brings the best in golf to its guests.
The Hershey Golf Collection not only features Andrew Dawes, but also a Director of Golf, PGA; four PGA Head Golf Professionals, and three Assistant Golf Professionals, so groups of all sizes can be accommodated for lessons and clinics.
Meeting Space
In addition to the meeting space at Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey, another event venue in the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts portfolio is the Hershey Country Club. Located just minutes from the two hotels, the Country Club offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space with the Keystone Ballroom, the Jay Weitzel Room and the Picard Grand Pavilion. All offer fantastic views of both the East and West courses, and all food and beverages functions are handled on-site courtesy of three fully-equipped kitchens " one for the Hogan Grill and two banquet kitchens.
Spring 2009 brings the opening of a new clubhouse at the Hershey Links course, anticipated to be a LEED-certified facility, which will make the greens of Hershey at little more green.
Getting There
Hershey is just three hours from New York City, two hours from Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., and 1.5 hours from Baltimore. Harrisburg International Airport is just 15 miles from Hershey Resorts, and ground transportation can be arranged.
For more information call 1-866-PA-MEETS or visit www.HersheyMeetings.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kay Maghan
Assistant Director, Public Relations
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
717-534-3396
kmmaghan@hersheypa.com
Jeff Rudder
Director of Sales, Hershey Resorts
P.O. Box 446
West Chocolate Avenue and University Drive
1-866-PA-MEETS
jrudder@hersheypa.com
www.HersheyMeetings.com
