Like many clubs in the Northeastern United States, White Manor has a rich and interesting history. In 1711, William Penn granted the Evans family 500 acres of land, which the family operated as a dairy farm for multiple generations. One hundred and fifty years later, the Evans family sold 170 acres of the land to White Manor Country Club, and in 1962, White Manor became the home of one of the country’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses. The original layout was built in 1948 by William Gordon and his son David.
William and David Gordon’s original design borrowed a lot of features commonly found in the works of A.W. Tillinghast and Donald Ross – not surprising given William Gordon was in charge of course construction for Ross, Willie Park Jr., and Devereux Emmet for several years. It was a thinking man’s golf course with large, rugged bunkers surrounding elevated greens that repelled aggressive approach shots and created tricky pitch shots back onto the putting surface. The original course hosted the McDonald’s LPGA Championship from 1981 to 1986.
In 2003, the club called upon award-winning designer Bobby Weed to renovate and redesign the layout. Weed’s renovation included removing over 1,000 non-native trees and digging up the entire course so that tee boxes, bunkers, and greens could be completely rebuilt. Weed’s finished product was incredible and won the award for U.S. Course Renovation of the Year.
Since the Weed renovation, White Manor has hosted many professional and amateur tournaments, including the Senior PGA Tour’s Bell Atlantic Classic and the Tylenol Kids Classic. In 2013, Golfweek Magazine recognized them as the #3 “Modern Design” golf course and #14 in the state of Pennsylvania. Golf Digest named the golf course at White Manor one of Pennsylvania’s Top 25 Golf Courses in 2015.
White Manor offers players five sets of tees; the scorecard adds a couple of hybrid distances. Yardages range from 5,037 yards from the Forward/Blue Tees to 7,055 yards from the Silver Tees. Like most players, I found that the Black Tees (6,330 yards) provided a suitable challenge and still let me leave with a little dignity intact! Even from here, the slope rating is high at 135.
In an area laden with high-quality golf courses and private clubs, it’s tough to stand out. Where White Manor rises above the others is its immaculate conditioning, making it as much fun to look at as it is to play. Golf Course Superintendent Michael Mulhare and his staff are to be commended for keeping this course looking and playing as well as it does. What sets White Manor apart are the green complexes with nicely sculpted greens and bunkers. Bunkers seem to be strategically placed in certain landing areas off the tee, while many greens are angled and offer subtle undulation. A few of the greens have “backstops,” which can be used to your advantage. Even with the new renovation, White Manor is still a thinking man’s golf course; it hands you nothing; any reward garnered will be well-earned.
There are a lot of elevation changes, starting with the first hole, a 384-yard par 4 that plays completely downhill. It’s a sloping dogleg right that allows you to hit all you’ve got off the tee. Most players will be left with a downhill approach shot, not something all golfers are comfortable with. There’s a small stream that crosses the fairway in front of the green that you’ll need to carry. The green is large and narrow on the right side and features a lot of subtle undulation. Anything that hit right off the tee is likely unfindable, and over the green is no bargain either.
Although the 2nd and 3rd holes are relatively flat, more elevation changes are in store at the 4th hole, a challenging par 4 that plays much longer uphill than the 372 yards stated on the scorecard. This hole proves that straight tee shots are not always best, as a cluster of four bunkers sits in the middle of the landing area. Thankfully, the fairway is very wide, especially right of the bunkers. Although it may produce a slightly longer approach shot over two greenside bunkers, it’s the best bet for golfers who tend to fade the ball anyway. The green is angled and elevated, which might mean an extra club for some.
The 10th hole is a beautiful par 4, playing 388 yards from the Black Tees. It’s also one of the tightest fairways on the golf course, with dense trees down the left side and more on the right. Although your tee shot is straight downhill, the best way to play this dogleg right is with a tee shot down the left side. That will leave a mid-iron approach shot into an elevated green that slopes towards the front left. Two small pot bunkers in front and a couple of larger bunkers on the left catch a lot of errant shots, and anything over the green spells trouble.
The two finishing holes at White Manor Country Club will stay in your memory for quite some time. Number 17 is a 505-yard dogleg left around a lake, which is not reachable off the tee but will figure significantly into your 2nd and 3rd shots. A large fairway bunker on the right side of the landing area with two grass islands in the middle can make for an interesting second shot should you land there. A good drive may leave you with the decision of trying to cut the corner and go over the lake directly at the pin, or lay up right of the pond and leave a short pitch shot into a green with water on the left side and bunkers everywhere else. The green has a lot of movement towards the front left. It is one of the prettiest golf holes in Pennsylvania!
The 18th hole is a 372-yard par 4 that plays uphill, about 50 yards longer than what is stated on the scorecard. The fairway bunkers in the landing area on both sides keep you honest off the tee. A good drive will leave an approach shot that plays at least one if not 2 clubs more into an elevated and angled green with a false front and some nasty fairway pot bunkers along the way! Keep your ball in the fairway from tee to green and you’ll be just fine!
White Manor offers recreational opportunities for everyone. Should you prefer the courts over the course, they have 4 dedicated pickleball courts, 2 platform tennis courts, and 5 Har-Tru tennis courts, complete with an underground water management system. All three programs are very active throughout the year. There’s also a fully-equipped fitness center where members can stay in top form; it’s located just off the pool deck for easy access.
During the summer months, members and their families flock to the Club’s pool, which offers diving areas, swimming lanes, and a children’s “Beach”/zero-entry pool. There are plenty of shady areas, and chaises, tables, and chairs are plentiful!
White Manor now offers an ever-expanding list of youth programs designed to improve your child’s social skills and, at the same time, offer mom and dad some “alone time.” Various aquatic, golf, and tennis programs are offered to members and guests sponsored by members throughout the year.
Last year, the White Manor clubhouse underwent a tremendous renovation, including a redesign of the building and a renovated lobby. The Member dining room and bar were expanded and renovated as well. For wine aficionados, 48 wooden Wine Lockers were added and can be reserved by members.
A Simulator Room was added, as were 2 Full Swing Golf Simulators and seating for 30 people. The new Simulator Lounge can seat an additional 20 people and offers a great way to keep your swing tuned up or entertain and challenge friends on one of the preprogrammed golf courses or games.
No club is complete without good food, and the culinary and wait staff at White Manor are committed to providing good service and eclectic cuisine. The Club’s Executive Chef is out to exceed member expectations and can accommodate any special request by using the freshest locally sourced ingredients available. Several social events are planned around clubhouse dining throughout the year.
With all of the great golf clubs in the area, White Manor is often overlooked when people talk about the “must-play” courses in the area. If you’re looking for a club to join in the greater Philadelphia area, look no further than White Manor Country Club. They offer tremendous value in a golf-rich market with limitless opportunities for the entire family to enjoy themselves on the golf course, and tennis courts, and indulge in other social and recreational activities. They offer multiple membership levels, including a full golf membership, Junior golf under 40, and a pool and tennis membership.
A Full Golf Membership is the best value and gives you access to everything White Manor has to offer, with unlimited access to all Club amenities and complimentary/discounted rates to many of the Club’s junior clinics and programs. A Pool and Tennis membership is perfect for non-golfers who want to enjoy all the social aspects of the Club. You’ll have unlimited use of the Club’s pool and tennis facilities as well as access to the locker rooms and fitness center, and all of the social functions, special events, and clubhouse dining.
As a member of a Concert Golf Partners Club, you’ll also have access to other properties around the country and enjoy the same membership privileges you have at your home club. You can get more information by giving them a call at (610) 647-1070 and arranging a visit or visiting them online at www.whitemanorcc.com.