Course record

Bala

Bala was Philadelphia Country Club’s first course, in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. The USGA dates its construction to 1891. When the Club added Spring Mill in 1927, Bala stayed in use; the Club operated both courses until 1957.¹²

Open the Club record

Club location: Gladwyne

The Club’s first course at Bala

The 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur was played at Bala. Ruth Underhill defeated Margaret Fox, 2 and 1 in the final: she led by two holes with one left to play.³

Fifty years later, Bala hosted the first U.S. Girls’ Junior, the national championship for girls. Fifteen-year-old Marlene Bauer won the final against Barbara Bruning, 2 up. The championship began at the older Bala site while Spring Mill was also in operation.²¹

Hosted competitions

U.S. Girls' Junior

1949 U.S. Girls' Junior

U.S. Women's Amateur

1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur

Sources and record notes5 references

Sources for this history

Golf at Philadelphia Country Club Philadelphia Country Club
First Bala Cynwyd course; Spring Mill built in 1927; both courses operated until 1957.
Consulted 2026-11-12
2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior Record Book USGA
PDF pages 6–7: Bala constructed in 1891, first championship in 1949, Marlene Bauer defeated Barbara Bruning, 2 up.
Consulted 2026-11-12
2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Record Book USGA
PDF page 7: the 1899 final and Philadelphia Country Club (Bala Course).
Consulted 2026-10-22

Course record sources

Club mark sourceClub Mark
Philadelphia Country Club: GolfCourse record