Silver Creek Country Club

Silver Creek's origins began in September 1934 when a group of 9 clubs, whose members were all part of the supervisory force of the Bethlehem PA plant of Bethlehem Steel, petitioned the Commonwealth of PA to incorporate all 9 clubs into one non-profit corporation called the Bethlehem Steel Club. The Steel Club as it came to be known was originally formed to foster athletic sports, social interaction, good fellowship, and technical discussions. One of the 9 founding clubs, the Sunshine Club, owned a property northeast of Hellertown borough consisting of 12 acres and a stone farmhouse, and this became the Steel Club's original club house.

At the close of the Second World War the Steel Workers Union was attempting to organize supervisory level employees inside Bethlehem Steel. The financial implications to Bethlehem Steel would have been significant. Bethlehem Steel's response to the union's initiative was to propose a deal with the Steel Club whereby they would make a major investment in the Club to enlarge the club house and build a golf course and other recreational facilities for the members. In return the supervisory level employees would agree not to organize into a union. The deal was struck and in 1946 the Steel Club acquired additional property adjacent to their existing club house location, and hired a world renowned course architect, Donald Ross to design and build an 18 hole course. The facility was opened in 1948 as a par 71 course. This golf course is notable as it was one of the very last that Donald Ross had a personal hand in designing and building due to his declining health. In 1958 a second tract of land was purchased, and an additional 9 holes were built. At its height the Steel Club served over 1,500 members, and sported a swim complex, tennis courts, a picnic grove, dining and banquet facilities, and a bowling facility in addition to a 27 hole golf course.

By the late 80's Bethlehem Steel could no longer financially afford to maintain the Steel Club. On January 28, 1986 the club entered the second phase of existence, when it was officially named Silver Creek Country Club and became a private non-profit corporation under the management of its members.

2011 marks Silver Creek's 25th Anniversary as a private club! To celebrate our silver anniversary the club has embarked on the first stage of a major golf course restoration and facility upgrade. It was important to the members to have the right partner involved with preserving and restoring the only 18 hole Donald Ross golf course in the Lehigh Valley. Silver Creek was fortunate to retain the renowned course restoration firm Total Turf Services who will be completing the restoration and upgrade of the first 9 of 27 holes in 2011. When the course renovations are complete in 2013 Silver Creek will feature a true test of golf on a newly renovated course designed by one of the true legends of golf course architecture.

Silver Creek is also participating in another significant restoration project involving the club's namesake, the Silver Creek, itself. This project is aimed at improving water quality of the Silver Creek through the re-establishment of wetlands and planting of native plants and grasses, and increasing the flood plain capacity inside the club property. This second part of the project will reduce the potential severity of future floods in the area, especially downstream parts of Hellertown. The Lehigh and Northampton County conservation districts, together with the Saucon Creek Watershed Association are partnering with Silver Creek Country Club to carry out this project. This project is one more example of the Club's long and proud tradition of incorporating the natural environment into its facilities, and is expected to also be completed in 2012.