Tour Guide 2026: Lehigh Country Club gears up to host inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic

This year, Allentown, Pa.’s historic Lehigh Country Club will be hosting the PGA Tour Champions’ Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic for the very first time this autumn.

Although Grounds Superintendent Jim Lanza believes there will be challenges, he is fully confident as he and his staff prepare throughout the coming months. He attributes his confidence to sheer mindset — both with himself and with his team members, too.

“The culture we have created at Lehigh sets us up to handle whatever is thrown our way,” Lanza stresses. “When the morale is high and (the) staff is having fun, we smile when a challenge is presented, knowing we’ll be better on the other side of the task.”

Installing irrigation

To ensure Lanza and his team are more likely to “be better on the other side of the task,” Lehigh CC is installing a Toro two-wire, full, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) irrigation system this year. According to Lanza, the installation will occur in two phases. First, the system’s mainlines will be installed throughout the spring, as the club’s contractor, George E. Ley Co., will finish the first phase by Memorial Day.

“This gives our membership the golf course for the summer golf season,” Lanza says. “At the same time, (it) gives us some time to heal from the mainline install, prior to the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic in the fall.”

Once the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic has been completed in early October, George E. Ley Co. will return to the club and begin the irrigation system installation’s second phase — the installation of  laterals.

Aside from this installation, some tee boxes will be renovated as well. One tee box in particular stands out: the par-3 seventh hole.

“(It has) over 100 feet of vertical drop from tee to green,” Lanza says. “So, working on top of the very steep bank, setting in tees, (will be) quite the project.”

Preparing for a bright future

Currently, Lanza is preparing to host the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic for at least the next five years. Most likely, it will be held in the fall each year, which is perfect timing, according to Director of Grounds John Chassard.

“The course should play awesome, and the vistas will be spectacular,” Chassard says. “I truly believe it will produce memories to come not only for us and our volunteers, but also for the players and all involved.”

Designed by golf course architect William Flynn, Lehigh CC will provide PGA Tour Champions competitors a simultaneously challenging and fair test. Renowned for its ideal conditions, natural beauty and spaciousness, the course will also be memorable, according to Chassard.

“Our goal is to make the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic a memorable event,” he says. “We’re planning on having a lot of fun.”

Chassard is also optimistic about Lehigh CC’s central location between three superintendent associations: the Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents and the Pocono Chapter, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

“We should have plenty of help from a great resource of professionals representing their own courses while they volunteer here,” Chassard says. “It will be an exciting and fun week.”

Along with these superintendent associations, Lehigh CC has received assistance from the Golf Association of Philadelphia as well. The relationship has been so positive, in fact, that Lanza advises other golf clubs to remain as engaged with their local golf associations in the same way Lehigh Country Club has.

“Events like the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic are most likely to be held at clubs that have good backing from their local associations,” Lanza says.

A succession plan

Since 1987, Chassard has served Lehigh CC as director of grounds. However, he is preparing to retire sometime in the near future. With this in mind, Lanza was hired in April 2025.

“We hired Jim as superintendent to work with me until my retirement and then assume my role,” Chassard says. “It’s been one of the best professional experiences I could have anticipated. We have worked well together, excelling (in) both of our expertise.”

The duo of Chassard and Lanza will be especially vital as the club looks ahead to welcoming a full field of PGA Tour Champions members. By blending their skill sets, they’ll be able to offer the best course layout possible this fall.

“Our story is unique in our industry,” Lanza says. “It speaks to the type of club Lehigh CC is.”

“I’ve spent many years pouring my life into the club, and I felt an obligation to leave (it) in good hands,” Chassard adds. “I feel confident that Jim is the man to see it through when I decide to retire.”