Blackthorne at The Club at Blackthorne

The Club at Blackthorne in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, is an Arnold Palmer design that opened in the early 1990s in the Laurel Highlands region east of Pittsburgh. Palmer, who grew up in nearby Latrobe, designed numerous courses throughout western Pennsylvania during his architectural career, and Blackthorne represents his work in familiar terrain. The course occupies rolling countryside typical of the region, with elevation changes and wooded corridors that characterize golf in this part of the state.

Palmer's design philosophy generally emphasized playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating strategic options for better players. At Blackthorne, the routing takes advantage of the natural topography, with holes moving through varied terrain that includes elevated tees, sloping fairways, and greens positioned to reward accurate approach play. The property's tree-lined character and changes in elevation create distinct playing corridors and require thoughtful club selection throughout the round.

The Club at Blackthorne functions as a private facility serving the Jeannette area and the broader Westmoreland County community. The club offers traditional amenities associated with private golf clubs in the region, including dining and social programs for members. Its location places it within the constellation of courses in western Pennsylvania's golf landscape, an area with deep roots in the game's American history and a strong regional golf culture shaped in part by Palmer's own legacy in the sport.