
Golf is a popular sport at Penn State, with the university offering two championship courses: the Blue Course and the White Course. The Blue Course is the longer of the two and has been the home course for intercollegiate golf competitions. Golf at Penn State is indeed part of the NCAA Division 1, with the Nittany Lions Men's and Women's Varsity Teams practising at an exclusive 2-acre short-game practice facility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | NCAA D1 |
| Number of Golf Courses | 2 |
| Names of Golf Courses | Blue Course, White Course |
| Location | State College, PA |
| Golf Shop Contact Number | (814) 863-0257 |
| Number of Holes | 36 |
| Tee-Times | Start at 7:30 am |
| Driving-Range Hours | 7:00 AM-8:00 PM |
| Golf Course Renovation Year | November 2005 |
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What You'll Learn

Penn State Golf Courses are open to the public
Penn State Golf Courses in State College, PA, are open to the public and offer a great golf experience for everyone. The golf courses include two championship courses, the Blue Course and the White Course, which offer scenic vistas and satisfying levels of difficulty for golfers of all skill levels. The Blue Course is a Par 72, 7,228-yard course from the Championship Tees, and it has hosted several prestigious events, including the 2009 Big Ten Men's Golf Championship and tournaments conducted by the USGA, FCWT, AJGA, IJGT, PGA Junior Series, and the West Penn Golf Association. The White Course, designed by renowned architect Willie Park Jr. in 1922, features smaller raised and undulated green complexes that demand creative and disciplined shot-making. Both courses underwent a major renovation in 2007, enhancing their reputation as some of the top university-owned golf courses in the Big Ten Conference.
The Penn State Golf Courses also feature a driving range and the Tombros Varsity Clubhouse, which is home to the university's men's and women's golf teams. The clubhouse offers coaches' offices, team locker rooms, and club storage. The driving range is open daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with Wednesday closures at 7:00 PM for maintenance. Tee times for the courses start at 7:30 AM, and golfers can call the Golf Shop at (814) 863-0257 to book their times.
In addition to the excellent golfing facilities, the Penn State Golf Courses also host social events like the free Trivia Nights every Tuesday in the Walker Clubhouse. This event welcomes teams of 1-8 players, and those interested can join in on the fun or reserve a table by contacting Joe Hughes via email. Overall, the Penn State Golf Courses provide a well-rounded experience that caters to golfers and the wider community, making it a valuable asset to the State College area.
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The Blue Course is the home of intercollegiate golf competitions
The Blue Course was constructed west of the White Course and was operated from a separate location off West College Avenue. The third hole of the Blue Course runs next to and parallel to the 13th hole of the White Course. The Blue Course underwent significant renovations starting in November 2005, including tree removal and the construction of new tee boxes to add length. Major changes were also made to the 7th and 8th holes, with the new "Lion" tees measuring 7,228 yards and a Par 72.
In addition to the Blue Course, the Nittany Lions Men's and Women's Varsity Teams have access to an exclusive 2-acre short-game practice facility. This area includes two 5,000 sq ft greens, one for putting and one attached to a 100-yard and 50-yard fairway for wedge practice.
Penn State Golf Courses offer a challenging and scenic experience for golfers of all skill levels. The courses provide a satisfying level of difficulty while also taking advantage of the beautiful vistas that the location affords. With 36 holes available, golfers can enjoy a varied and engaging round of golf.
As an NCAA Division 1 golf school, Penn State attracts athletes with several years of tournament experience and consistently high performances. The golf program at Penn State is just one aspect of the university's renowned athletic program, which includes a football stadium with a capacity of 105,000 people.
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The White Course is shorter than the Blue Course
Penn State Golf Courses in State College, PA, offers 36 holes of golf across the Blue and White Courses. The Blue Course, which hosted the 2009 Big Ten Men's Golf Championship, is longer than the White Course. However, the White Course, designed in 1922 by Willie Park Jr., still provides a challenge to skilled golfers.
The Tombros Varsity Clubhouse, located between the Blue and White Courses, is home to Penn State's men's and women's golf teams. The clubhouse offers various amenities, including coaches' offices, team locker rooms, club storage, and a lounge with a big-screen TV. The clubhouse's proximity to the courses provides golfers with convenient access to indoor and outdoor hitting bays, especially during the winter months.
The Nittany Lions short-game facility, nestled behind the 14th green of the Blue Course, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. This private area features a 13,000-square-foot green dedicated to chipping and putting and a 10,000-square-foot "impact" green with bunkers and elevation changes for short-game practice. The grass range was expanded in 2007 to provide ample space for golfers to practice a variety of shots.
The Blue and White Courses at Penn State offer a challenging and scenic golf experience. While the White Course is shorter than the Blue Course, both courses provide satisfying levels of difficulty for golfers of all skill levels. The courses are complemented by the Tombros Varsity Clubhouse and the Nittany Lions short-game facility, which together provide a comprehensive golf experience for Penn State's golf teams and enthusiasts alike.
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The Nittany Course was a six-hole course that was destroyed in 2002
Golf has been played at Pennsylvania State University since the latter half of the 19th century, when the sport first rose in popularity in the United States. However, it wasn't until 1921 that the game became popular enough to warrant the creation of a formalised golf course at the university. That year, professors Bob Rutherford and R.D. Pryde laid out nine holes on the west end of the campus.
In 1922, nine additional holes were laid out by noted golf course architect Willie Park, Jr., with work completed in 1926. This course, known as the Willie Park course, featured large push-up style greens and dramatic bunkering. The course was also known as the College Golf Course, as the school had not yet been named a full-fledged university.
By the late 1960s, the university had earned its designation and demand for a second course was growing. The university hired the golf architecture firm of Harrison & Grabin (both Penn State graduates) to design what would become the "Blue" Course. The original University Golf Course was renamed the White Course and the Blue Course was built farther west, with a total length of 7,008 yards—1,000 yards longer than the White Course.
The Nittany Course was a six-hole golf course at Pennsylvania State University that was destroyed in 2002 to make way for university expansion. The course was eliminated by 2002, and renovations were made to both the Blue and White Courses in the following years. Significant changes were also made to the Nittany Lion golf team's practice facilities, including the addition of a 2-acre short-game practice facility for the exclusive use of the Nittany Lions Men's and Women's Varsity Teams.
Today, the Penn State Golf Courses feature two 18-hole championship courses, providing a challenging yet scenic golfing experience for players of all levels. The Blue and White Courses offer a total of 36 holes, with a driving range and practice facilities for the university's golf teams and intramural golf activities.
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Pennsylvania State University is an NCAA Division 1 golf school
Golf is a popular sport at Pennsylvania State University, with the university offering two championship golf courses. The Penn State Golf Courses provide a challenge for all golfers while also taking advantage of scenic vistas. The history of golf at Penn State dates back to at least the 1920s, with the Willie Park course, later known as the College Golf Course. This course featured large push-up style greens and dramatic bunkering.
By the 1960s, the growing popularity of the sport, partly driven by the success of Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer, led to the development of a second course, the "Blue Course". Designed by the golf architecture firm of Harrison & Grabin (both Penn State graduates), the Blue Course was longer and intended to better represent the game at that time. Intercollegiate golf competitions at Penn State were then moved to the Blue Course, primarily due to its length.
The Blue and White Courses (as the original course came to be known) continued to undergo changes over the years, with renovations in the 2000s adding length and introducing new tee boxes. The Nittany Lion golf teams also received enhanced practice facilities, including a 2-acre short-game practice area for the exclusive use of the men's and women's varsity teams.
Today, Pennsylvania State University is an NCAA Division 1 golf school, with a Division 1 men's golf team. The university's golf program offers a high level of competition, with athletes having several years of tournament experience and consistently scoring in the low 70s at difficult courses. Division 1 coaches are highly selective, often recruiting nationally ranked junior golfers. Being a college athlete at this level is considered a full-time job, with rigorous training and practice schedules alongside academic commitments.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pennsylvania State University is a Division 1 golf college.
Penn State has two championship golf courses, the Blue Course and the White Course. The Blue Course is longer and more challenging, and it became the home course for intercollegiate golf competitions at Penn State. The White Course features wide fairways and closely mown areas around the greens.
The Nittany Lions Men's and Women's Varsity Teams have exclusive access to a 2-acre short-game practice facility that includes two 5,000 sq ft greens, one for putting and one attached to a 100-yard and 50-yard fairway for wedge practice.











































