Spring is here, and the start of a new construction season. Whether a new building or an addition, the sound of bulldozers and excavators fills the air. It’s also the time of year when golf courses open for the season in Pennsylvania. As golf courses prepare for the season, many undergo renovations. For a Philadelphia golf course, this was the case. Empire Services is helping with the expansion of their first tee by providing earthwork and site demolition.
This golf course has deep roots in Pennsylvania. In fact, Pennsylvania has a rich golf history. The oldest golf course in continuous use in the United States is Foxburg Country Club in Clarion County. Foxburg Country Club was founded by Joseph Fox in 1887. According to local legend, Fox designed the course after The Old Course at St. Andrews and helped to spread the game across the state. In 1874, Fox went to England with the All-American Cricket team to play in a cricket tournament. One of the matches was in Edinburgh, Scotland.
While in Scotland, he visited St. Andrew’s to watch some golf and became an instant fan of the sport. He had Old Tom Morris, the golf pro at St. Andrew’s, teach him the game and purchased golf clubs and “gutta-percha” balls (golf balls) to bring to America. Once home, Fox created an eight-hole course around his summer estates. He then created a more spacious five-hole course, which would become Foxburg Country Club. After the creation of Foxburg Country Club, golf courses began popping up all over Pennsylvania.
One of them is a golf course in Philadelphia County, where Empire Services is assisting with the expansion of their first tee, which houses the pro shop and restaurant. The project began with the demolition of sidewalks and the concrete building pad. The earthwork began as soon as the debris was cleared away. Since the first tee was built on urban fill, there was a need for dynamic compaction caissons. Our crew prepared the area for them plus excavated new foundations. They will also install a storm sewer to accommodate the renovation. The last step will be paving the entry road.
With the arrival of spring and the onset of construction season, we eagerly anticipate the completion of this project, poised to elevate the golfing experience at the course. Leveraging our team's expertise in earthwork and site demolition, we are laying the groundwork for the expansion and ushering in a new chapter in the golf course's heritage.
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