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Meadowbrook Golf Course, Washington County, PA

Meadowbrook Golf Course, completed during the mid 1930‘s, was one of the first public golf course located in southwestern Pennsylvania, outside of the greater Pittsburgh area.

It was notable for catering the game of golf to the local working class, farmers, and women. It was one of the first golf courses that did not have a “Ladies Day”, allowing ladies to play any day.

Meadowbrook Golf Course contributed to the growing popularity of golf during the late 1950's and the expansion of golf.

Green fees, in general, were set at the average hourly wage for 9 holes of play, so one could play for about $1.25 for 9 holes, from the 1950’s through the mid 60’s. Neighbors, volunteer course rangers, and members of the clergy played for free.

The course was named for the brook/creek that ran through the 60 acres of rolling farmland the course was laid out on the local terrain, the only modifications where limited to tee boxes and the putting greens.

The local Fort Cherry High School golf team used this course at their home during the 1960-70’s time period.

It was community oriented and catered to leagues from Burgettstown, McDonald, Cherry Valley, and soother urrounding areas. Meadowbrook operated seasonally, with greenskeeper crews were generally composed of local schoolteachers and students, working during summer break, complemented by other part time workers.

Pace of play was important; each green had two cups, so that the pin could be moved while putting out and in place for the following group. And “winter rules” always applied, 12” allowed but no closer to the hole, a controversial concept, but applied to all and allowed for healthy pace of play.

Irrigation was primarily from local rains, with a spring fed pond being used to hand water the greens when required.

The following is a blank scorecard from the early 70's; Meadowbrook Scorecard 1 Printable copy.jpg

Location was off of Route 18, halfway between Washington and Burgettstown.

Operations ceased about 1976, due to economic conditions and competition from newer venues.

Meadowbrook Golf Course, Mt. Pleasant Twp., Hickory, PA
Meadowbrook Golf Course, Mt. Pleasant Twp., Hickory, PA This was a nine hole public golf course located in southwestern Pennsylvania, that operated from the mid 1930’s to 1974

It was named for the brook/creek that ran through the 60 acres of rolling farmland, and laid out on the local terrain, the only modifications where limited to tee boxes, putting green surfaces, and several foot bridges across the brook..

It was the first public golf course in Southwestern PA during that period. And later succumbed to other facilities during the 1980’s.

It was the host course for the Fort Cherry High School golf team during the 1960-70’s time period, and catered primarily to the steel mill workers from neighboring communities. This included leagues from Burgettstown and Cherry Valley. With this in mind, the green fees were generally set at no more than the average hourly wage for 9 holes of golf. Neighbors, volunteer course rangers, and members of the clergy played for free.

Due to seasonal conditions, greens keepers were generally composed of local schoolteachers and students, who desired work during their summer break, complemented by other part time workers.

Irrigation was primarily from local rain, with a spring fed pond being used to hand water the greens when required.

Even during this time, pace of play was important, so each green had two cups, so that the pin could be moved while putting out and in place for the following group. And “winter rules” always applied, 12” allowed but no closer to the hole.

Location was off of Route 18, halfway between Washington and Burgettstown, PA.