There is some excellent golfing in Centre County. Whether it’s the Elks Country Club, Toftrees or Penn State’s Blue and White Golf Courses, there are plenty of challenging holes around the county.
With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best Centre County has to offer.
Centre Hills Country Club
No. 7, par 3, 182 yards
Short is not always sweet.
Don’t let the yardage fool you — this is an extremely challenging hole. The small green is surrounded by five bunkers. Get stuck in one of those, and it can make for a long afternoon. Go over the fence located next to the out-of-bounds area, and it’s a one-stroke penalty.
Nittany Country Club
No. 4, par 3, 221 yards
The club in Mingoville has several challenging holes, but the most talked about is easily the No. 4. The false front on the fourth hole can cause problems for everyone — from the novice to the pro. There are trees on both sides and a three-foot drop from the front of the green to the fairway.
Penn State Blue Course
No. 14, Par 3, 142 yards
The 14th hole is short, for sure, but a large pond can cause problems for even the most experienced golfer. The hole is well bunkered and has five different sets of yardage. The water is intimidating, that’s for sure.
Penn State White Course
No. 18, Par 5, 492 yards
There’s no reward here as you close out your day at the Penn State White Course. The par 5 boasts 492 yards — almost five football fields — all uphill. The tree-lined fairway makes this one of the toughest holes in Centre County.
Philipsburg Elks Lodge and Country Club
No. 3, Par 4, 356 Yards
You want a challenge? You got it.
This narrow, tree-lined shot on the third hole will challenge any golfer. There is a rock hazard crossing the hole, which means a shot should not go more than 225 yards. The second shot is 150 yards straight uphill onto a small green.
Skytop Mountain Golf Club
No. 16, Par 3, 200 yards
Formerly Freestone Golf Course, Skytop Mountain Golf Club offers golfers some of the most picturesque views in Centre County. The No. 16 hole features a 100-foot drop from the tee. The double-tiered green has a bunker protecting the right front and can prove challenging for golfers, especially when winds begin to pick up.
State College Elks Country Club
No. 7, Par 4, 431 yards
Although the club recently changed hands, the course is still the same — challenging. No. 7 is one of the best of the bunch. The tee shot has to carry over a creek. After that, it’s uphill with a dogleg right. The green slopes from back to front and right to left. It is, without a doubt, one of the course’s longest and most challenging par fours.
Toftrees Golf Resort
No. 9, Par 4, 298 yards
This hole has it all — a large water hazard, bunkers and an elevated approach shot. Despite the difficulty level, it is one of the most picturesque holes in Centre County.
