Champion Lakes Golf Course & Resort
Champion Lakes Golf Course & Resort in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, offers a challenging 18-hole public course set against striking mountain scenery. Balanced between strategic fairways and firm, fast greens, it provides a rewarding experience for players seeking a memorable test of precision and course management.
Course Overview
Champion Lakes Golf Course & Resort offers an 18-hole public layout that challenges golfers across all skill levels, highlighting the rugged beauty of Southwestern Pennsylvania's mountain terrain. Located in Bolivar, this course presents a distinct blend of wooded fairways and elevated greens, where every shot requires thoughtful execution amid the natural undulations of the landscape. The design encourages strategic play, demanding precision off the tee and deft touch on sometimes fast, well-guarded greens.
The course stands out for its scenic variety, with holes that wind through dense clusters of trees and open to vistas of nearby mountain ridges. Players will notice how elevation changes subtly test club selection and ball flight, adding character to both longer par 4s and reachable par 5s. Champion Lakes balances challenge and fairness, but those venturing here should be ready to manage thick rough that punishes wayward drives, particularly where the fairways slope sharply toward hazards or out-of-bounds.
One of the more memorable aspects is the conditioning of the greens, often described as firm and fast, rewarding accurate approach shots and crisp putting. Golfers planning their rounds should prepare for varied weather conditions that come with the regional climate, which can influence playing levels throughout the year. Although the facility operates primarily as a public course, the resort setting means visitors can enjoy on-site amenities such as a well-stocked pro shop and practice areas.
Walking the course is encouraged for those seeking a more immersive experience with the terrain, but carts are available and advisable during peak heat or for players looking to conserve energy for the back nine. The layout suits a broad range of players but leans toward those who appreciate a test of shot-making ability more than brute distance.
Champion Lakes Golf Course & Resort is an accessible destination for golfers traveling through Central Pennsylvania, offering both a competitive round and a chance to soak in natural mountain scenery without stepping too far off the beaten path. Its combination of thoughtful design, solid maintenance, and scenic presence make it a worthy stop for those chasing a balanced challenge and a memorable round.
Course Highlights
The course features significant elevation shifts and wooded sections that influence shot strategy. The par-5 5th hole is known for its pronounced fairway slope demanding careful placement. Greens are consistently well-maintained, firm, and fast, presenting a fair challenge. Mountain views appear on several holes, enhancing the natural ambiance of the layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Craig Westfall
Brooke
Very well maintained and challenging golf course. This is not a golf course to take lightly, it will bite you. It’s a beautiful golf course with a nice layout and fantastic views.
Tyler Torres
If you want to play a 6 hour round, no matter the day or time, you should play here!
Rob S
This is a golf review. Very nice wooded course with some awesome scenery on some of the holes. Greenside on #2 is especially nice. View of the mountains on most holes. Well kept, greens in great shape, some crab grass off some of the fairways need to be cleaned up.
Tyler Scott
This isn’t a resort.. Golf course is fantastic. Challenging and fair. Par 3 tee boxes are terrible. Some of the best public greens around IMO. Must keep your ball in the fairway as the second cut is pretty thick making it challenging to hold your ball on the green. A must play track! Staff was absolutely wonderful
Brooke
Very well maintained and challenging golf course. This is not a golf course to take lightly, it will bite you. It’s a beautiful golf course with a nice layout and fantastic views.
Andrew Gordish
First impression was not the best, no communication and drove over 25 miles to come to the course for my tee time just to find they were closed several hours after they opened. They had more then enough time to inform my party and never did, as well as immediately hanging up on incoming calls prior to set up a tee time. The service i personally received was not professional or good at all.
Tyler Scott
This isn’t a resort.. Golf course is fantastic. Challenging and fair. Par 3 tee boxes are terrible. Some of the best public greens around IMO. Must keep your ball in the fairway as the second cut is pretty thick making it challenging to hold your ball on the green. A must play track! Staff was absolutely wonderful
Andrew Gordish
First impression was not the best, no communication and drove over 25 miles to come to the course for my tee time just to find they were closed several hours after they opened. They had more then enough time to inform my party and never did, as well as immediately hanging up on incoming calls prior to set up a tee time. The service i personally received was not professional or good at all.
Lawrence C
Played the course on an overcast November day. The greens were aerated recently and were still healing. Many of the greens had leaves and some light debris on them making putting challenging. There was a mtce worker attempting to blow the greens clear, but at 10am several greens were still not cleared. Despite the challenge of the season I really enjoyed the layout of the course except the par 5, 5th hole. The fairway on this hole is severely slanted right to left and even hitting the fairway had my ball roll all the way down to the out of bounds marker. I’d have the rough higher to the left to prevent shots rolling that far from the fairway . The back 9 is shorter, but much tighter and keeping the ball in play is crucial. The pro shop and men’s locker room could use some updating, but were adequate. The restrooms on the course were in decent shape and appreciated. The individual in the pro shop was friendly. It’s hard to evaluate a course this late in the season. However, from what I saw and experienced Champion Lakes is likely a must play in the summer.
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Course Details
Access & Location
4743 PA-711, Bolivar, PA 15923, USA
Champion Lakes Golf Course Clubhouse with pro shop and dining facilities
Walking permitted and encouraged to fully experience terrain; bring sturdy shoes suitable for hilly and wooded paths.
Open daily; tee times recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.
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