Longue Vue Club Golf Outings - FAQ'S Why Longue Vue? Course Information Menu Options Historical
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Longue Vue Club Golf Outings Why Longue Vue? FAQ’S Course Information Menu Options Historical 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Experience what we have to offer… We would like to welcome you, and afford you the opportunity to schedule your outing at our National Historic District facility. Our golf course was built in the early 1920’s by Robert White, who designed numerous courses throughout the country; many of which featured picturesque views of the Allegheny River and “Master Gardner” designed gardens and beds. The experience continues upon arrival. You will be greeted by our courteous and helpful pro shop staff, which will direct you to parking, golf bag and cart assignments. Then, you will enter our locker rooms where you will be greeted by our nationally renowned locker room manager Anthony Rocco. “Tony” has been in the employ of Longue Vue since 1986, becoming men’s and ladies’ locker room manager in 1992, and now is our Director of Membership Services. “Tony” has been called a Concierges’ Concierge by some of this country’s famous celebrities and dignitaries. Special Longue Vue touches range from personal direction to your event schedule and locations to steam wrinkle removers and steam iron availability, assuring a fresh and crisp appearance as you enjoy your event. The men’s and ladies locker room staff has been under “Tony’s” direction for 17 years, and the focal point of his guidance is “need anticipation.” His fifteen employees total one hundred years combined experience at Longue Vue. The experienced staff that awaits your arrival will total seven years experience minimum per individual. As you can see, we are here to ensure your event is a total success and your experience is unequaled. All Longue Vue events are special and “yours” will be coordinated from inception to conclusion by Sadie Lowe. Sadie’s distinguished service at Longue Vue totals five years. Sadie’s domain includes hands on direction of all events managing our banquet services and catering specialties. The smallest details are never overlooked once your event is placed in Sadie’s care. As a compliment to Longue Vue’s distinction of being one of eighteen legendary country clubs in America, we feature Chef Ryan Racicot. Ryan’s twelve year experience started with training in Classical French Cuisine under Master Chef of France Gerard Vuillen. After completion Ryan developed his own American Contemporary Cuisine. Awards are nothing new to Chef Ryan; attaining many national awards such as Rising Star Chefs by Gayot.com, Whirl Fanfare, and Pittsburgh Magazine – which also acclaimed Ryan for working in a top twenty five restaurant. Chef Ryan’s quote to you as a present or potential participant at Longue Vue is “Let my world class culinary achievements be seen throughout your dining experience at Longue Vue”. We here at Longue Vue are pleased with the history and beauty of our facilities and our mission is for your experience to be palatable to your tastes – as well as the eye. Your inquiries or responses will be professionally and eagerly processed by our business office by calling 412-793-2232. “See you at the Vue” 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
FAQ’s Is there a minimum/maximum of players? To hold a Monday outing, a minimum of 72 players is required. Based on availability, Longue Vue can accommodate outings Tuesday through Friday for groups of 12- 120 players. Is the club flexible on what time our group can start the shotgun? More often than not, the club can accommodate a variety of starting times for your event. Am I allowed to bring in donated beverages for the course? Yes, and as an extra service, Longue Vue will provide staff to place and maintain stations on the course with your products. Longue Vue can also provide a beverage cart for your donated items if you prefer that option over stations on the course. Can my volunteer drive the beverage cart? Yes, Longue Vue will be happy to provide your group with a beverage cart and allow a volunteer from your party to drive the cart. Can the club provide a cash bar for the event? Yes, Longue Vue can accommodate cash bars. Do we need to place a deposit? Yes, a deposit of $2500 must be made in order for your date to be held, that deposit will then be credited to your final bill. A contract will also be provided for you to sign. Does the club have media equipment available? Yes, Longue Vue has a LCD projector, screen, laptop computer, and wireless internet accesses which are all made available to your group free of charge. I have banners to hang; can the club hang them for us? Yes, Longue Vue will be happy to hang any banners that your organization provides. We simply ask that you have any banners on the property at least two days prior to ensure they are properly displayed for your outing. I have Tee Signs for the course; will Longue Vue place those signs for me? Yes, Longue Vue is able to place the signage on the course for your outing. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
I have a specific budget for Food and Beverage, how flexible is the club? We are proud to say we can create a menu that will suit your needs, and fit into your budget. I want to offer something else that isn’t on the menu, is that possible? We will work directly with you to accommodate almost any request, and will do our best to help make your event exactly what you pictured. I have never planned a golf outing before, and need a lot of guidance! Don’t worry, our seasoned golf staff and food and beverage staff will guide you along the entire planning process. You don’t need to know anything about golf to plan a successful event. How much does it cost to host a golf outing at your club? Depending on the size, date and willingness to sign a multi-year contract, prices will vary. Please contact our Head Golf Professional Steve Antenucci for more information. If you have any further questions or are interested in obtaining more information please contact: Steve Antenucci, Head Golf Professional at santenuuci@longuevue.org or by phone at 412.793.2232 ext. 250 Or Sadie Lowe, Events Coordinator at slowe@longuevue.org or by phone At 412.793.2232 ext. 202 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Course Information All holes are described from the point of view of a White Tee Player Hole #1 Par 4 338 yards Our opening hole provides a stern test right out of the gate. A dogleg left around a steep drop-off guarded by trees & a deep bunker on that side, & more trees to the right. The hole plays uphill to a severely sloped green, protected by bunkers front left & right. The ideal tee ball is a slight draw following the contour of the fairway, which opens up the hole for the approach. Too much draw will put you over the hill or in the bunker or trees, making it nearly impossible to hit the green in regulation. A longer hitter may want to consider using something shorter than the driver as any ball without enough draw will certainly carry through the fairway into the trees on the right. For those unable to hit a draw, the play is to lay up to the right side of the fairway 215 yards from the tee. This will put you past the overhanging trees on the left and short of the rough. It will leave a slightly longer second shot but reduce the chances of making a big number early in the round. The approach shot will be played uphill to a green that slopes severely back to front. The difficulty in judging how much the uphill grade influences the length of the shot makes it that much harder to pull the correct club. When the green speed is up it is imperative that the approach is kept under the hole. When the pin is in the front quadrant of the green it is better to stay short for an uphill chip on, than to risk a downhill putt. Any player who starts their round with a par should be extremely happy. Hole #2 Par 4 363 yards The second hole plays slightly downhill to a fairway that doglegs left to right & slopes hard in that direction. Bunkers guard both the inner & outer edges of the fairway. The green is protected by four severe bunkers. While some longer drivers might be tempted to challenge the series of three bunkers on the inner part of the dogleg, most players will aim towards the left hand bunker. A drive of 230 yards on that line will leave an approach in the 120 yard range. Anyone who does challenge the three bunkers on the right is rewarded with a much better angle into the hole, but must carry the ball at least 255 yards to clear them. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
The green tilts from left to right making it important on the approach to try to keep the ball slightly to the right of the hole location as that will provide an uphill putt. Any ball that finishes too far to the left of the hole will face a deceptively fast downhill putt. Hole #3 Par 3 175 yards Hole #3 is Longue Vue Club’s signature hole and is regarded as one of the toughest 3 par’s in Western Pennsylvania. It is a classic Scottish Redan hole (a par 3 to a raised green set on a diagonal from the teeing ground). The hole is made difficult by out of bounds left, tee to green, and a steep faced bunker below the green. The entire hole slopes right to left with any errant shot to the left kicking down towards the bunker & the out of bounds stakes. The two leveled green is one of the toughest to read on our course. Most players will want to aim at the right quadrant of the green keeping away from the trouble on the left. More advance golfers may want to attempt to work the ball in from the right. Most players will find more success in keeping their shot in the front portion of the green and attempting to 2 putt rather than trying to carry the ball back to a deep pin. Any shot that finds the putting surface should be considered a success. Any par on this hole is well earned. Hole #4 Par 5 534 yards A picturesque dogleg left par five played downhill to a fairway that winds between a series of bunkers right & left. Out of bounds guards the right side from the green back towards the tee. The elongated green is in a hollow surrounded by trees & bunkers left & right. Greenside there is a sloping hillside that will kick any approach pulled left down into the trees. Players who are long off of the tee may wish to attack on their drive in an attempt to reach the green in two. However trouble is never far off on this hole. On the right side in the landing area are two bunkers that will catch any drive that drifts slightly in that direction. Any ball that sails right of the bunkers is in danger of ending up out of bounds. The best line is just inside the three bunkers on the left side of the fairway. From the white tees it takes a carry of 296 yards to carry all three, however as the tee shot is played downhill the actual carry plays more like 255. From the middle bunker on the left most players will want to lay up with their second shot beyond the second set of bunkers on the left but short of the first greenside bunker (a shot in the 165 yard range). This should leave the player between 110 & 75 yards left to this tricky green. The green is sits on a bit of a diagonal from front left to back right. Visually players are encouraged to shoot away from the OB right; however the real trouble lurks on the left side of 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
the green. Because of the green sitting on a diagonal, players should never hit past the middle of the green as this increases the chances of going over the green to the left. The green itself tilts back to front so players should try to keep their approach short of the hole for the best chance for a one putt. Hole 5 Par 3, 170 yards This par three is the second of our three historically significant holes. The “Eden” hole is a par three raised back to front, with bunkers right, left, & behind the green to symbolize the shoreline & beach of the Eden River in Scotland. One of the most famous & imitated par 3’s in golf is the eleventh hole at ST. Andrews, Scotland. Named “High Hole-in”, it is better known as the “Eden”. Most people will find success most often by ignoring the hole location & aiming for the center of the green. Anyone that gets above the hole will face a difficult task in two putting. A lot of better players have found, that with a front hole location, it is easier to leave your approach just short & chip up, rather than taking a chance in getting above the hole on the putting surface. At all costs, players must avoid the bunker in the back of the green as it is virtually impossible to keep the ball on the putting surface with their recovery shot. Hole #6 Par 4, 376 yards After Longue Vue’s difficult five starting holes number six starts what the members think of as “birdie alley”. While players try to hold on the first five & the last five, holes six through ten offer a chance to score. This par 4 fits in beautifully with natural terrain & lets you know right out of the gate what you need to do on this hole. The fairway follows the terrain in shaping gently left to right. Out of Bounds can be found to the right if anyone attempts to cut the corner. Another green that is difficult to putt awaits your approach. The fairway here slopes from left to right and allows you to play away from the trouble on the right (out of bounds) knowing that the ball kicks back into the fairway. Any shot that is played too far to the left will catch the heavy rough. A decent drive will leave a mid iron into an elevated green that slopes back to front. The difficulty with this green is there is a false front… any ball that fails to get at least 20 feet into the green will roll back down the front of the green and into the fairway. The green is flanked by bunkers left & right. Beware missing on the right side as there is a drop off that will kick a ball towards the out of bounds that runs the entire length of the hole. Use the slope on the left for your drive & ignore the hole location on your approach. The middle of the green will consistently yield your best results. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Hole #7 Par 4, 298 yards One of the best short par 4’s you will ever play, #7 is a classic example of the architect making the player think about risk vs. reward. The further you hit your drive the more you can be rewarded with an easier approach shot to this tricky green. However, the further you go up the hole, the more the series of deep pot bunkers on each side of the narrow fairway come into play (there is also OB that comes into play should the player miss their drive way right). The choice the player must confront each time he plays the hole is to lay up short of the trouble leaving 100-110 yards in, or to take on the challenge of the pot bunkers. As in most cases for the average player, the percentage play is to be safe, laying up short of the bunker complex on the left (the hole opens up more from the left & this takes the OB on the right out of play). A shot of 190-195 yards off the tee will leave the player a relatively easy approach of 100 or so yards. If the player wants to challenge the bunkers more, the play is to keep the drive just inside the left side bunkers. For those players wishing to bomb away for the green, the line is over the right corner of the last left-hand bunker. This shot requires a carry of 250 yards as measured from the white monument to carry all the bunkers. The ball should bounce on given the slope in that landing area. The green is protected in the front right by one of the deepest bunkers on the course. The green falls off sharply to the right and behind, shooting the ball away. As in most holes at LVC the best play is to hit to the middle of the green. The green tilts much more severely from back to front than players can see, making 2 putting no easy task. Hole # 8 Par 5 458 yards The second of Longue Vue Clubs three par fives, is visually very intimidating. The drive must be fired over a deep ravine to a fairway that pitches hard from left to right. The second shot on this hole is played up over a rise that blocks the view of both the fairway & the green. While longer hitters who find the fairway will be trying to hit the green in two, most will be laying up to the right side of the fairway to avoid a series of bunkers that lie on the left edge of the fairway. Beware on the approach shot into this green as any ball that goes long will feed down into the woods behind a green flanked left & right by bunkers & a small but deep swale just in front of the right side of the green. Players will want to favor the left edge of the fairway on their drive. While the ravine makes the shot intimidating it actually is not as big a concern as hitting the proper side of the fairway as the carry over the ravine is shorter than it appears. Any ball that hits right of left center of the fairway will roll down the slope into the right rough. After the drive the player must make a decision as to whether they wish to lay up back in the fairway for an easy approach or to take a shot at the green. The left side of the fairway in the layup area is protected by a series of bunkers so it is best to lay up slightly right of center. If you choose to go for it be aware 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
that there is a slope that will help run the ball down onto the green starting 15 yards short of the putting surface. However a hard bounce on this down-slope can also shoot the ball over the green and down the back slope into the woods. While the green on this hole is flatter than most here at Longue Vue, it still has many subtle breaks especially in the front and left quadrants. Overall this is a hole where birdies & big numbers are both a definite possibility. Hole #9 Par 4 390 yards The last hole of the front nine is also the only hole on the course without a sand bunker. This straight away par four features a deep swale that cuts across the fairway starting at 125 yards from the green, and extends to 80 yards from the green. Should a shot end in the swale you will find your view of the green totally obstructed. The strategy usually employed off the tee is to lay-up short of the swale with a drive in the 230-240 yard range (keep in mind that the hole plays slightly downhill off the tee) leaving yourself a short to mid iron into the green. This lay-up strategy will also help should you lose your drive off to the right by keeping you back from a specimen oak tree that marks the start of the swale on the right. The massive oak menaces any shots that have strayed to the right off the tee, by laying-up you will at least have an angle around the tree. The green looks unprotected because of the lack of any sand bunkers, but looks can be deceiving. There is a severe drop off on the right side to the woods that is difficult to perceive from back in the fairway. There is also a grass bunker on the left waiting to catch any player trying to use the slopes of the green to their advantage. The green is one of the few here at Longue Vue that tilts from front to back. It also tilts dramatically from the left edge in towards the middle, but if an approach trying to use this slope strays to far left, the ball will kick into the grass bunker leaving a devilish downhill pitch. With the lack of sand bunkers around the green many players feel they may safely play directly at any pin, however the smarter play is always to the middle of the green Hole #10 Par 3 151/140 yards Hole # 10 is Longue Vue Clubs shortest and perhaps prettiest par 3. The green is perched at the top of a small rise on the opposite side of a ravine from the two sets of tees. With no trees behind the green on the far down-slope, the green gives the appearance of “floating” like an island on the horizon. Any approach that misses short, right, or long, regardless of which tee is used, will leave the player with a difficult up and down. The approach shot differs dramatically depending on the placement of the tee on either the left or right tee box each day. The left tee box plays slightly longer, but the angle from this tee makes the green play much narrower from front to back. Distance control is the key here. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
The green slopes dramatically from left to right making it imperative to keep the ball to the right of the hole. Players may be upset to see their approach drifting away from the hole with the slope on a good approach, but that is a far better option than leaving the ball above the pin and facing a near certain three putt. The tee box on the right makes the hole play shorter, and because of the different angle, deeper. Shots are now approaching up the length of the green. While it is still good to be right of the hole it no longer is imperative. However, the width of the green now becomes narrower so shots slightly left or right, miss the green more frequently. The two bunkers seen from the tee are joined by a third just over the right side of the green that is hidden from view. All three bunkers are among the most penal on the course and need to be avoided at all costs. Hole #11 Par 4 391 yards Hole number 11 is among the most difficult driving holes on the entire course. Even after hitting a great drive the player still faces a blind, uphill second shot to a large deceptively tricky green, with trouble lurking to the left. This hole is a dogleg right with the fairway sloping hard to the left in the landing area, with trees & treacherous fairway bunkers (hidden from the teeing grounds) guarding the right side of the fairway. All of these factors combine to make this one of the hardest fairways to hit. If possible, the best way to attack this hole is to hit a fade that starts up the middle of the fairway and falls right without getting right of the visible edge of the fairway from the tee. Any drive that does stray right of that line, chances getting tangled in the branches of the large trees that guard the inner part of the dogleg, or getting into the difficult bunkers that guard the elbow of the fairway 214 yards out from the tee. This is another hole where only the most accomplished of players should even think about aiming anywhere but at the middle of the green. Use the aiming pole on the horizon to help you select your line into this green that sits over the horizon line. If anything the player may want to favor the right side of the green as the terrain falls off into the deepest bunkers on the course to left of the green while mounds can kick the ball back to the left off the right side of the green. This green features a small but steep false front, but there is no need to challenge this as there is plenty of room here beyond the front on one of the deepest greens on the golf course. Beyond the false front the green looks fairly flat, but the green subtly slopes back to front and right to left. Many a player on this hole has been amazed at how much a relatively straight looking putt has just broken. Hole #12 Par 3 155 yards Another one of Longue Vue Clubs fabulous short holes, played to one of the most dramatic greens out here. The approach is fairly straightforward here in that the player can see everything in front of him. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
The large green is raised up slightly above the surrounding terrain making it important to reach the putting surface with the tee ball. Any shot that comes up short will kick back down the slope leaving a blind pitch or sand shot. The only area that can be slightly forgiving is a thin strip of terrain just right of the putting surface that is at the same level as the green. Make no mistake though; the main focus on this hole is the green itself. This green features a massive rise to a tier on the back right quarter of the green. This rise of three to four feet is so dramatic that it is easily visible on the tee. This tier totally dominates the slopes on this green as everything works away from it in all directions. Hole location in relation to the tier must dictate your strategy here. Unless the player is very accomplished, the player must play to the front third/half of the green so as to avoid the influence of the tier on their first putt (unless the hole is on the tier). Otherwise it can be impossible to get a first putt within 6 feet of the hole. Players skirting the edge of the ridge may consider it a good putt if they come within 8 feet of the hole. Also if the player accidentally knocks his approach onto the tier and the hole is below, it is impossible to stop the putt anywhere near the hole. It is better to have a slightly longer putt here to stay away from the influence of the tier. Hole #13 Par 4 322 yards Hole number 13 the Alps Punchbowl (the last of our “historic” holes) is another one of our wonderful short par fours that looks straightaway & simple but is actually deceptively difficult. The name derives from the raised ridges surrounding the edges of the green with a bowl-like depression on the green itself. While the straightway hole looks simple enough on the drive it is imperative to not only avoid the deep depression with heavy rough on the left 189 yards out from the tee to 270 yards, but to also find the proper side of the fairway depending on the hole location. If the hole is front left it is best to favor the right side of the fairway so you have a better angle to that location. Player beware though, because any shot to short will come back down the fairway that is steeply sloped just in front of the green there leaving a tough up and down. Of course if the shot travels a few feet too far past this front pin it can catch the slope of the bowl and roll a good distance away. If the hole is to the right, in the “punchbowl” it is usually better to come in from the left side to take advantage of the slopes of the bowl to work your ball towards the hole. A deep, extremely penal bunker guards the portion of the green behind it, part of the “punchbowl”. The player must avoid this bunker as shots from within it are virtually blind. Players who aren’t as long can shoot their approaches up the opening to the green on the left knowing that any ball that runs past the first third of the green will catch the bowl and funnel right… down to the lower level. While there is certainly danger here two decent shots should reward the player with a decent birdie putt. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Hole #14 Par 4 391 yards Number 14 starts the difficult finishing stretch here at Longue Vue Club. A long, tough dogleg left par four, with a hazard running all the way down the right side of the driving area and a fairway bunker guarding the inner corner of the dogleg. The green is open in front with no bunkers to protect it and is relatively flat. While visually intimidating, the drive is actually fairly straightforward, just favor the left center e of the fairway, not only to avoid the hazard to the right but also to cut some distance off of this long hole. With the bunker left & the hazard right, the fairway looks much narrower than it actually is, just pick your line and trust your swing. The approach to the green will be one of the longest the player has faced to this point. Aim for the center of the green & remember that the fairway runs straight into the green… you can easily bounce your approach onto the green. The only real trouble near this green is if you spray your approach well right into the trees or knock it well over the green into the woods there. The green is relatively flat but does have some slight slope from left to right… especially near the left edge of the green. With the long approach you will be faced with it is best to use the run your approach up the opening in front of the green & to aim for the middle. Par is a fine score here. Hole #15 Par 5 535 yards Hole 15 is the only par five on the back nine and is visually stunning. This long straight hole is extremely scary looking off the tee with trees and out-of-bounds just off the right edge of the fairway all the way down the length of the hole. It looks off the tee like you can see the entire hole stretched out in front of you, but there is in fact a slope some 240 yards off the tee that hides a series of bunkers that guard the left side of the driving area for the longer hitter. The green slopes dramatically from back to front but the player must focus on getting there before worrying about the green. Most players will take one look at the right side of this hole and immediately bail out left. The problem here is that there are a series of deep, difficult bunkers down the left side, of which the player can only see the first one. Beyond the first visible bunker on the left are two more, those tend to catch balls that catch the slight slope that cants the fairway from right to left. While players need to avoid the O-B to the right, don’t over-compensate and get into trouble on the left. The second shot needs to again avoid the trouble down the right side, but there is another bunker here on the left that narrows the lay-up area, 135 yards out from the green. The approach to the green must be kept below the hole, as this green is super fast from back to front. There is nothing in front of the green so there should be no problem staying under the hole. There is a bunker to the right side of the green, but once again the player will be 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
favoring the left side to avoid the O-B right. Take a moment on the green to enjoy the fantastic view to the right. Hole #16 Par 3 198 yards This is a great old school par three, where the player should hit the shot dictated by the layout of the hole. Most courses built during the era Longue Vue was built in feature a par three that would have been required a wooden club at the time. Number 16 is long and plays uphill most of the way making it play even longer than the yardage listed on the card. The front right area of the green is fronted by a deep bunker that players need to avoid if possible. The green is relatively flat but does feature a few interesting humps particularly in the back right quadrant. Our longest par three was designed to test a players’ accuracy with his longest clubs, however the architects have offered the smart player a simple way to attack the hole. About 175 yards from the tee on the left side at the crest of the slope the terrain suddenly slopes down to the right and onto the green. Instead of forcing the player to carry his approach all the way up the slope to the green & over the bunker front right, he has suggested they hit the ball slightly short and left away from the bunker and use the slope to scoot the ball onto the green that way. Regardless of a players’ ability, unless the hole is placed back right, this is the way to attack this hole. Other than the few raised areas in the back right area of the green this green looks relatively flat, but does have some subtle breaks. While it doesn’t appear this way the whole green has a slight bowl-like quality, meaning everything tends to slope in from the sides. There is a small ridge that bisects the green that is only visible in the back part of the green, but watch for this ridge to influence all putts in the center area. Hole #17 Par 4 438 yards Longue Vue Club has saved its two longest (and hardest) par 4’s for last. While #18 is longer, number 17 actually plays the longest & is rated the number 1 handicap hole on the course. A steep drop off to the woods guards the left side, while a bunker on the right helps to frame the driving area. The tricky green is long and narrow with a bunker right & two more left that actually help to prevent approach shots going left from going over a hill and down into the woods. Off the tee the play is to hit your drive towards the left edge of the right fairway bunker. The edge of the bunker is some 260 yards from the tee so unless you can bomb the driver don’t worry about this bunker; use it to aim your drive. If a player loses his drive right on this line he will be blocked out from the green by a stand of trees that runs from the bunker all the way up the right side to the green. This isn’t that big a penalty though as if you flared your drive to the right you would probably be laying up anyway. By steering your drive at the bunker you avoid 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
the steep hill to the left that will shoot errant shots that stray in that direction down into the woods. This hole really earns its number one ranking on the second shot as even after a drive in the 250 range you will be faced with an approach in the 185 yard range to one of the narrowest greens on the course. Most players will find that playing to the wider front edge of the green will be easier than trying to hit to the center of the green as that is the narrowest point of the putting surface. Playing to the front edge will also take the right greenside bunker somewhat out of play. From the front edge the player will have a relatively easy putt or chip as there are no major undulations in this green. The green is tricky, but most players will have no problem with a two putt here. A bogey on this toughest of holes is nothing to hang your head about. Hole #18 Par 4 441 yards A wonderful finishing hole will require some good shot-making to secure that final par. The player will tee off straight away towards the crest of a hill with the clubhouse in the distance. From the top of the hill it will be another long approach down a hill to a giant multi- level green. A good drive is a must here on the home hole as anything short of a good one will leave the player still looking up at the crest of the hill and facing a blind second. Use the clubhouse in the distance to help you pick your line, most will shoot at the middle of the three chimneys near the center line of the hole, while longer players will shoot at the right-most chimney, closer the right edge of the fairway. The two bunkers off the left edge of the fairway must be avoided at all costs as anyone who finds themselves there will have to work very hard to avoid a double bogey. The strategy in picking your line based on driver distance from the tee will become evident as you crest the hill and see the down-slope tilting hard from right to left all the way down to the green. Shorter player will want to shoot their second out to the right to use the slope to bring their ball back to the center line, while longer drivers of the ball might catch the slope with their tee ball which will filter back to the left. The green is the lowest point on the hole, so be aware you can use the slope in the fairway to shoot your ball onto the green. The green is 40 yards deep so while most will shoot for the middle of the green, the more accomplished player will want to check the depth of the pin when selecting a club for their second shot. While it isn’t readily apparent from the fairway there is out-of bounds close by the right edge of the green. It is possible to use the hill just right of the green to deflect the ball back onto the putting surface, but if you hit it over this slope you will probably find the O-B. The green sits above the rest of the terrain to the left, but getting up and down from that side can be done. Not only is this the largest green on the course it may also be the biggest breaking green out here. Most putts will be influenced by the tier back right which rises a few feet above the rest of the surface. Players more familiar with the green know that in general putts break more from right to left going up the length of the green that is readily apparent by reading it. Hole locations on the back right tier and any front pin can be particularly tricky on this green. Shoot for the middle and try to two putt to these locations. A par on this tough finisher is certainly something to celebrate in the clubhouse. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Enjoy Lunch in Our Clubhouse Golfer’s Lunch Buffet Menu Selections Deli Menu Option Cook Out Option Premium Sliced Deli Meats Select Three Cook-Out Menu Options Turkey Breast Hot Buffet Items Roast Beef Select Three Imported Salami Grilled Hamburgers Corned Beef Hebrew National Hot Dogs Baked Ham Marinated Chicken Breasts Capicolla BBQ Beef Brisket Pastrami Deviled Fried Chicken Petite Filet Mignon can be Cold Salads supplemented for an additional cost. Select Three Side Dishes Traditional Potato Salad Select Two Macaroni Salad Baked Southern Style Mac-n-Cheese House Made Cole Slaw BBQ Baked Beans Broccoli, Cheddar, and Bacon Salad Corn on the Cob Italian Pasta Salad Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Wedges Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Baked Potato with Traditional Fresh Basil and Balsamic Accompaniments Seasonally Available June-August Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Accompaniments Cold Salads Select Two Sliced Swiss, American, Provolone, and Traditional Potato Salad Cheddar Cheese Tray Macaroni Salad Assorted Kaiser Rolls, Wheat, White, House Made Cole Slaw and Rye Bread Broccoli, Cheddar, and Bacon Salad Relish Tray, Kosher Pickle Spears, Leaf Italian Pasta Salad Lettuce, Sliced Tomato, and Red Onion Fresh Fruit Salad Assorted Condiments, Fresh Fruit Tray, Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Assorted Cookies Fresh Basil and Balsamic Soda, Iced Tea, and Lemonade Seasonally Available June-August Golfer’s Cook-Out Includes Sliced Cheese Tray, Condiments, Relish Tray, Lettuce, Tomato, and Red Onion, Assorted Cookies, Soda, Iced Tea, and Lemonade 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Golfer’s Dinner Buffet Cook-Out Menu Options Hot Buffet Items Select Three Grilled Hamburgers Hebrew National Hot Dogs Herb Marinated Roasted Bone-in Chicken BBQ Beef Brisket BBQ Baby Back Ribs Deviled Fried Chicken Petite Filet Mignon can be supplemented for an additional cost. Side Dishes Select Two Baked Southern Style Mac-n-Cheese BBQ Baked Beans Corn on the Cob Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Wedges Baked Potato with Traditional Accompaniments Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Cold Salads Select Two Traditional Potato Salad Macaroni Salad House Made Cole Slaw Broccoli, Cheddar, and Bacon Salad Italian Pasta Salad Fresh Fruit Salad Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Seasonally Available June-August Golfer’s Cook-Out Includes Sliced Cheese Tray, Condiments, Relish Tray, Lettuce, Tomato, and Red Onion, Assorted Cookies, Soda, Iced Tea, and Lemonade Dessert choice of Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, or Peach Pie 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Boxed Lunch Selections Roasted Ham and Swiss Cheese on Rye With Lettuce and Tomato Turkey Breast with Havarti Dill Cheese With Lettuce and Tomato on Wheat Bread Corned Beef on Marble Rye With Swiss Cheese and 1000 Island Dressing Roast Beef and Blue Cheese With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and Creamy Blue Cheese on Ciabatta Bread Traditional Chicken Salad Sandwich LVC Signature Chicken Salad, Lettuce and Tomato on White Bread All Boxed Lunches Accompanied By The Following Italian Pasta Salad Whole Seasonal Fruit Snack Chips House Made Cookie Assorted Condiments Bottled Water 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
The Beginnings of Longue Vue THE FOUNDING The Longue Vue Club was founded in 1920 and is widely recognized as one of the first club’s of its kind. The Club was established by several of Pittsburgh’s wealthiest and most prominent businessmen. The overall wealth of these men led Longue Vue to be known as “The Millionaires’ Club”. Led by the Club’s first president, Mr. E.W. Mudge, it took the men very little time to put their plan into action and purchase the land on which Longue Vue still sits today. The Longue Vue Club sits on what was once known as “Martinsville”, named after Thomas Martin, as well as several other pieces of land. Mr. Martin was a Revolutionary War veteran who was given the land through a Warrant granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on April 10, 1786. The land and Club are situated on 370 acres of ground that rests 200 feet above the Allegheny River. Just as the founders spared no expense in purchasing the land, they sought out the very best in architecture for both the building and landscape design. The task of designing the Clubhouse was put on the shoulders of Mr. Benno Jansen, after whom one of our dinning rooms is named. Once Mr. Janssen’s plans were approved in November 1921, Mr. Edward A. Wehr began construction utilizing stones from a quarry located only 1 ½ miles from the Club. The magnificent main Clubhouse is of Norman design, with the covered vehicular entrance in English country house tradition. The Clubhouse’s exterior was completed in 1923, but the Clubhouse was not used until 1924 and was completely finished in 1925. The beautiful Clubhouse décor and facilities remain to be a staple at Longue Vue. While construction on the Clubhouse was taking place, the founders placed their emphasis on the landscape and golf course design. Mr. Ralph E. Griswold, a world renowned Landscape architect, was hired to design the plans for the layout of the grounds. With the approval of the Club’s founders, Mr. Griswold implemented his plans and transformed the old farm into the spectacularly beautiful grounds that delight us today. As the landscape was being transformed, the last major undertaking was the construction of the golf course at Longue Vue. Mr. Robert White, a prominent Scottish golf course architect, was hired to design the Club’s first rate golf course. Mr. White used the area’s terrain to develop this picturesque course and was just as successful at Longue Vue as he was at the several other courses he designed throughout the country. As the Club was founded and all of the major pieces fell into place, the Club and its founders focused on developing the Club’s first recreational activity, horseback riding. The Longue Vue stables were erected 1922, and enlarged in 1925. Eventually, the Club provided six miles of bridle paths for the member’s use. These activities, however, were relatively short lived and by 1941 Longue Vue had discontinued its stabling program. As this occurred, the interest in horses continued to diminish, and all things equestrian were eliminated for the Club. THE ARCHITECTS The Golf Course Robert White The golf course at the Longue Vue Club was designed by a man who is sometimes forgotten, yet greatly recognized, as being one of the forefathers of golf in America. Robert White, who the Club still honors through a yearly golf event, was commissioned to build the golf course by Longue Vue’s Board of Governors in April 1922. The course at Longue Vue is just one of the several courses he designed in his time here in the United States. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
Robert White was born in 1874 in St. Andrew’s, Scotland and immigrated to the United States in 1894. Although he was not yet considered to be a golf course architect, White began laying out courses from the time he arrived in the United States. In these years, it would typically only take him one morning to walk the land, decide on nine tee locations, nine green locations, and give all other suggestions and recommendations for upkeep. The fee for these services was only $25.00. This vision and his knowledge of the game helped White to become a very prestigious course architect, although he never became as famous as an A.W. Tillinghast, Alister MacKenzie, or Donald Ross. It did, however, help him to excel in several areas outside of golf course architecture. In 1902, Robert White helped found the Illinois Professional Golf Association, and was appointed their president. This society was only the second of its kind in the world, due to the fact that the British PGA was founded in 1901. When the United States PGA was founded in 1916, White was elected its president due to his close relationship to nearly a third of the pros in the United States, and he held the position until 1920. While greatly involved in furthering golf associations and course design, White also became very interested in transforming and maintaining the conditions of golf courses. To do this, Robert White spent winters attending classes at the University of Wisconsin and Cornell University with the focus on applying scientific principles to golf course maintenance. This was essential to the success of courses and the game in the United States due to the drastic differences in weather patterns and terrain. This was unique in that he was the first to utilize these agricultural methods to maintain grass rather than traditional crops. Even with his focus on so many things, Robert White was the first to build a putting green on the White House lawn, one of the first designers and manufacturers of golf clubs in America, designer and builder of over one hundred golf courses, and responsible for bringing golf to the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A.W. Tillinghast Although Longue Vue’s course was designed by Robert White, A.W. Tillinghast made several recommendations to improve on the course’s original layout. Tillinghast’s suggestions can be noted in a letter that was sent by him to the PGA President on October 18, 1935, regarding Longue Vue’s concerns. The following excerpt is from that letter: “As directed by your telegram, I left here on the afternoon of the 15th by train, arriving at New Haven the next morning. On the morning of the 15th, at the request of P.G.A member Will McKay, I inspected the course at Longue Vue (note corrected spelling of previous report) Club at Pittsburgh. I was accompanied by McKay, J.H. Baily (Chairman of the Green Committee) and W.H. Key (Greenskeeper). Their chief problem has been the first hole with a blind drive to a side hill fairway. I gave them full instructions for a rather extensive grading operation, which they requested. Their next problem centered about the 10th and 11th holes, where a stiff climb to the former was most objectionable. I corrected this with a new site for the 9th green (a better one than originally) a new green for the shortened tenth and a new teeing ground for a shortened eleventh. In this manner the hill climb is eliminated completely.” Tillinghast’s contributions left a lasting mark, and truly made Longue Vue’s course what it is today. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
The Clubhouse Benno Janssen The Club’s unique design can be attributed to prominent architect Benno Janssen. Janssen’s trademark design style is evident throughout the Clubhouse with his use of multiple high pitched gables, slate roof, large groupings of rectangular windows, interesting chimney treatments, and intricately carved stone detail. The Longue Vue Club has honored Benno Janssen through the naming of its informal dining room, “The Janssen Room.” Janssen’s work can be found throughout the Pittsburgh area, both commercially and residentially. His work includes the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, the former Masonic Temple in Oakland, the William Penn Hotel, the Mellon Institute, and Rolling Rock Club. Janssen is also renowned for more than three dozen homes in the Pittsburgh area, including La Tourelle, and The Ingersoll House, both in Fox Chapel. Benno Janssen was born in 1874 in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied architecture at the University of Kansas, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Janssen began his architecture career in Boston, Massachusetts, but later, in 1902, traveled abroad to Paris, to continue his studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Three years later he returned to the States and began work for the Pittsburgh architectural firm, Mac Clure and Spahr. After one year, in 1906, Janssen formed a partnership with Franklin Abbot, through the year 1918. Janssen’s final partnership was with William York Cocken, the firm that developed the plans for the Longue Vue Club. Janssen and Cocken were commissioned to prepare the plans for the clubhouse, not to exceed $200,000. The plans were approved in 1922 with a final construction cost of $266,122. The building became in use in 1924 and totally complete in 1925. Janssen’s design was primarily based upon the English Norman vernacular, although the large chimneys flush with the gable walls are Georgian in origin; yet the deep casement windows imply a French rural vernacular style. Most striking is the clubhouse’s extraordinary stonework. The building is faced with thin gray-tan sandstone slabs laid in uniformly horizontal layers, between layers of mortar. The signature high pitched slate roof was the first of its kind to be seen in the region, but reappears at La Tourelle, Rolling Rock Stables, the Dravo House, and Elm Court. The Grounds Albert Taylor and Ralph Griswold Landscape architect Albert Taylor was hired to provide landscaping at Longue Vue Club. Cleveland-based but nationally recognized as the landscape architect of the Pentagon, Taylor was known for laying out equestrian trails, and equestrian trails were a key feature at Longue Vue prior to World War II. Taylor sent a young employee, Ralph Griswold, from his office to oversee the landscape construction at Longue Vue. Once here, Griswold made Pittsburgh his home and designed the landscaping plan for Point State Park, among many other noteworthy commissions. He also contributed to projects such as Chatham Village in Pittsburgh, and the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Gardens in Staunton, VA. Griswold consulted to the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission under the Civil Works Administration, and as a result was appointed as the superintendent of the Bureau of Pittsburgh. 400 Longue Vue Drive • Verona • Pennsylvania • 15147 • 412.793.2232 www.longuevueclub.net
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