Foxburg Country Club is a pure throwback to the late 1800’s and it continues to exist in true form amongst the long behemoths that are today’s modern golf courses. What’s the big deal about an older, possibly ancient 5700+ yard ( 9 holes times 2) golf course in today’s modern era of Tom Doak, Arnold Palmer, and Rees Jones (amongst a myriad of others) designed golf courses that may, or may not be classics in the sense of the word. Foxburg Country Club has what most other courses don’t, a lot of character and a fun factor that is off the charts. Foxburg Country Club is located in Western Pennsylvania, a section of the United States, that in the late 1800’s was chock full of millionaires, courtesy of newly discovered oil all around the area.

The clubhouse is awesome, see for yourself.

The first thing you’ll notice when pulling into the club’s parking lot is the bucolic clubhouse. It’s an icon itself, even without the course. The course itself is quite compact, kind of shoehorned into a very small area. The first place that you will notice this is on the tee when you say, whoa, this is tight! At 5700 yards it’s only defense is being narrow as much and as often as possible. Be forwarned, it also has some very diminutive green complexes, seemingly tiny compared to the golf courses of the current era. Of course, birdies can come in bunches here with some straight ball hitting and a pure putting stroke. Our group of three had 7 birdies during the 18 hole round. There are few obstacles other than one pond and a few strategically located bunkers.

Before the invention of the wooden tee, sand was all you had for tees. Many of the holes were still sporting the carved stone sand holders. Neat touch.

Foxburg CC has narrow somewhat down to a science.

Foxburg Country Club was founded by Joseph Mickle Fox who while on a trip to Scotland to play in a series of cricket matches was introduced to golf by Old Tom Morris himself.  The current course was enlarged from five holes to nine holes in 1888. There were two holes that really stand out at Foxburg; the 6th and the 7th. The 6th is a 150 yard par three with a bowl shaped green that begs for birdies. Land in the trap to the left rear of this green and you’ll be facing a sure bogey. The 7th hole is a downhill and narrow par 4 with a grouping of three angular grass and sand bunkers 50 yards short of the green. this hole can almost be attacked with anything, except your putter. This hole is one of the best I have played all summer.

Hole number three’s ultra tight fairway. I took my medicine here folks.

After your round, take a stroll to the second floor of the clubhouse and be mesmerized by the extensive golf club collection they have on display. There are hundreds of antique golf clubs from many long lost golf eras.

Hole #6 has a very interesting green complex. Avoid that bunker.

Hole #7 can be attacked in so many ways. The first nine I hit driver, the second 9 I hit 7 iron.

Drivers and fairway wood shots are routinely sucked up by these 3 very natural looking

cross bunkers.

View from the teebox at number 18.

Foxburg Country Club is a very short drive just south of Interstate 80 in Western, Pennsylvania and it deserves a quick visit if you have the time to sneak in 9 holes. Your visit just might be one of the more enjoyable rounds that you’ve had in quite awhile. Foxburg Country Club is on the National Historic Register as well.