History

The country club, originally named “Cornwells Golf Club,” was founded in 1960 and initially established as a private course. The traditional design of the golf course is the work of award-winning Architect, William Gordon. Some of Gordon’s work includes the Grace Course at Saucon Valley Country Club, Philadelphia Country Club, and Seaview Marriott Resort and Golf Pines Course.

The property was initially an English Estate (circa 1741) that was eventually purchased by Gus Hansel. Mr. Hansel was a farmer and utilized the grounds for such until 1950 when he realized the post-war growth of the Bensalem community. Farmland was becoming scarce, replaced by homes and various shopping/service areas to support the growing population of Bensalem. It was at this time Mr. Hansel employed the services of Gordon to design 18 holes around his farmhouse and barn. The farmhouse still stands today and there are future plans to restore this historical gem on the property.

Mr. Hansel passed away in 1984 and the club was purchased by Mr. Albert Bader who opened the club as semi-private, however, by 1989 the country club became a public golf course. While the course enjoyed several good years, the property became the target of a possible sale to developers. In order to keep this fine 140 acre piece of open space in the heart of Lower Bucks County, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and the Bensalem Council, unanimously worked towards the purchase of the course under condemnation rights and fair property value assessments. Their efforts proved successful in 2006, when Bensalem Country Club officially became BENSALEM TOWNSHIP COUNTRY CLUB!