Golf takes center stage in the state of Pennsylvania this summer with the Constellation Seniors Players Championship this coming week at the Philadelphia Cricket Club and the U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Oakmont Country Club. While you may not be teeing it up in one of these championships, there is an opportunity to cool off, relax and play your own version of the U.S. Open in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania this summer at one of the most unique places in the country.
Just 90 minutes from Pittsburgh and the action at Oakmont, The Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa has been around since 1796, but a $120 million restoration that was completed in 2007 has brought the 216 guestrooms, the spring-fed pool and championship golf course back to life.
The Omni Bedford Springs sits in south and central Pennsylvania, a easy two-hour drive from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, and a three to four hour drive from Philadelphia and New York City. It’s also easily accessible by car or plane from points in the south like Atlanta and Charlotte.
The 2,200-acre grounds are made up of gardens, swimming and recreational facilities like bike and hiking trails, fishing spots; and a restored golf course that dates back to 1895. Architect, Ron Forse led the revival of The Old Course, which sits adjacent to the hotel. A new golf clubhouse is in the works and should open in a little over a year.
“It’s a course we are proud of, and worked hard to restore,” explained Forse. “There are places you need to hit the ball to be successful, but it’s a course everyone can play.”
The par-4 and par-5 holes demand a good tee shot. The par-3, 14th hole, “Tiny Tim” is a short little gem that one shouldn’t take lightly. Throughout the course there are elevation changes, bits of water and rough. Oh that rough. Bring a couple extra balls along, because even though the U.S. Open is about 100 miles away, The Old Course has U.S. Open rough in spots.
“The Course is historic,” says Bedford Springs Director of Golf Ron Leporati. “But that doesn’t mean it is easy. We think the restoration of the course is amazing and we are open to the public.”
Bedford Springs also leads in offering a world-class spa featuring restorative treatments from the local mineral-rich waters and an attentive and friendly staff.
The resort itself is located just around the corner from the borough of Bedford, Pennsylvania, three miles south of Exit 146 off the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The resort is 90 minutes by car from Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The history is rich at Bedford Springs, as it has served as a meeting place for numerous U.S. Presidents and dignitaries, including Daniel Webster, Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. Omni Bedford Springs features a phenomenal range of amenities and activities, casual and fine dining options. In addition, guests can enjoy mountain nature trails for hiking and biking, fly fishing, volleyball, tennis, and more at omnihotels.com.
Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, is known for its diverse terrain, which includes wide stretches of farmland, national forests and major waterways. It’s also a state known for it’s sports, including golf and it’s resident’s and visitor’s love of the outdoors.
