THIS REVIEW OF THE UNION LEAGUE Golf Club at Torresdale doubles as a look back at my long career in the travel industry, which stretches to the early days when Antero Palo, then marketing director at Finnair, won our inaugural Turkey Bowl in 1994. The Turkey Bowl means different things to different people: for some it is a touch football matchup on Black Friday, kicking off the holiday shopping season; for many in the travel world it remains a friendly golf tournament held on Black Friday among industry colleagues and advisory board members. The tradition has outlived the founding of Global Traveler itself.
Weather for Black Friday golf can vary wildly. Some years are warm and calm, but more often the day is cold, with driven balls bouncing off frozen ponds and clipped greens. We have seen flurries, rain and even a cancellation due to snow. This past year was cold but manageable. Nine of us split into three threesomes for the annual match. Our group included Mike Donahue, chairman of the Global Traveler Advisory Board; his son Michael and a friend Pete; Advisory Board members Bob Hancock, Wayne Tallman, Jim Bolger and Chris “Yammi” Ottaunick; and my brother Gerry Gallagher, who traveled from Dallas to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving.
Without the stewardship of the Union League of Philadelphia, the Torresdale Frankford Country Club might not be in its present condition. After the Union League acquired the club in 2014, membership rose beyond expectations and this historic landmark began contributing more visibly to the community.
The club’s history stretches back to the late 19th century, beginning as two separate Philadelphia courses: Torresdale Golf Club, established in 1896, and the Frankford Club, founded in 1897. In 1921 Torresdale acquired the current property, built a new nine-hole course and eventually merged the two. Hiring Donald Ross to design the course was an inspired decision; Ross is revered by serious golfers as one of the great course architects.
The Union League quickly committed at least $8 million to renovations, transforming The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale into one of the region’s top facilities. Upgrades continue, most recently adding new carts equipped with GPS for every shot. Sean Palmer, director of golf, runs operations smoothly and leads a knowledgeable, welcoming staff.
Below is a recap of our Turkey Bowl outing and notes on several key holes. Because of a frost delay, all groups started around 10:30 a.m. and played both back and front nines. Recovering from Thanksgiving’s excesses, we played from the white tees.
Gerry Gallagher and
Bob Hancock
PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER
HOLE 11 | 193 yards, par 3
I played this hole with Bob and Gerry. After a poor performance on the 10th, we looked to find our rhythm. This par 3 plays slightly longer than yardage suggests; I usually tee up a 3-wood to get height and reach the green. A creek cuts diagonally left to right in front and continues beyond the green, swallowing many short shots. I hit a solid drive to the green; Gerry and Bob came up short but managed good chips and settled for bogeys. I two-putted and felt grateful to Donald Ross for a hole that rewards bold play.
HOLE 18 | 345 yards, par 4
This was our ninth hole as we began on the back nine. The cold tightened the ball’s flight and made distance less predictable. Ryan Daily, the caddie master, joined our group for a few holes and added to the day’s camaraderie. Ryan crushed a drive slightly right of the fairway. From the tee you want to favor the right side because the approach is uphill and blind; aim for the clubhouse flag as a reference. My drive missed left and my approach bounced off the left edge, ricocheting into the deep bunker. Gerry and I extracted ourselves—my sand shot was solid—and we each carded bogeys. Bob hit a near-perfect tee shot to the center-right fairway and reached the green, two-putting for par. The Union League has made this hole more player-friendly by relocating the cart path to the right to improve flow and pace of play.
HOLE 1 | 318 yards, par 4
By this point Bob and Gerry had briefly retreated to add extra layers against the wind while we warmed up with coffee and hot chocolate. The front nine saw better scoring overall—Bob posted a strong 38. Long hitters can reach the creek in front of the green; consider a 3- or 5-wood off the tee to avoid trouble. My drive settled into the right rough before the creek on a slope, and winter rough makes balls hard to find. I hit a nice approach that came up short of the elevated green, which in summer would have rolled back onto the putting surface. A chip and two putts produced a bogey. This green recently underwent substantial reconstruction: it was removed in sections, improved with drainage and rebuilt to preserve Ross’ original intent while improving playability.
HOLE 8 | 415 yards, par 4
Hole 8 is often cited as the most difficult par 4 in Philadelphia, and it presents a demanding test. The ideal tee shot lands left of center and long enough to allow a chance to reach the green in two. Many players push right and are impeded by a white house that sits close to the right fairway edge. I struck my best drive of the day left of center and followed with a strong approach that Ross’ subtle contours kicked into the left bunker. From the sand I played out well and two-putted for bogey. Bob matched with a bogey; Gerry’s trouble off the tee led to a higher, undisclosed score.
Overall, the day was glorious: good weather by Black Friday standards, lively conversation and friendly competition. Wayne Tallman took home the trophy, capping the 25th annual Turkey Bowl and continuing a tradition that blends golf, friendship and the travel industry’s holiday spirit.