Meet the neighbors with the most unique view of the PGA Championship

Meet the neighbors with the most unique view of the PGA Championship

The Home on Boulder Creek Lane

Meet the neighbors with the most – Doug Siberski has lived on Boulder Creek Lane since his childhood, in a home designed and constructed by his father back in 1961. Stanley Siberski, a dentist who once held the exclusive title of Newtown Square’s sole practitioner, had a distinct passion for country music. He often treated his patients to melodies by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty, a habit that left an indelible mark on the neighborhood. Over the decades, as the surrounding area modernized and its economic profile shifted, Stanley’s quirky abode became a relic of a bygone era. The house, with its eclectic charm and unconventional design, now serves as a living testament to the past, standing out vividly against the backdrop of contemporary architecture.

When Stanley and Regina, Doug’s mother, passed away, the Siberski family remained united in their commitment to preserving the legacy of the home. Doug, now the sole occupant, has taken it upon himself to maintain its character, even as the world around it changes. His efforts have not only kept the property in the family but also shielded it from potential buyers who might have altered its essence. In fact, some neighbors have offered a peculiar incentive: they promise to sing a country tune if Doug decides to sell. This camaraderie highlights the unique bond between the Siberski family and their neighbors, who have grown accustomed to the eccentricities of the house.

The PGA Championship’s Impact on Neighborhood Life

This week, the house’s location has taken on new significance. The backyard shares a direct boundary with the first hole of Aronomink Golf Club, a fact that has transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary. For the duration of the PGA Championship, the Siberski residence has become a hub for golf enthusiasts, offering a front-row perspective that few can match. The club’s annual event has brought a surge of activity to the area, with local residents leveraging their proximity to the course for a front-seat view of the action. Doug, despite not being a club member, has embraced the opportunity to host impromptu gatherings, turning his home into a festive backdrop for the tournament’s spectacle.

Platforms and Spectacle

To fully capitalize on their vantage point, the Siberski family, along with several other neighbors, invested in rented platforms and scaffolding. These structures, which rise above the eight-foot fence erected by the PGA, provide an unobstructed view of the first hole and beyond. The setup is a collaborative effort, with neighbors pooling resources to ensure they all benefit from the unique opportunity. Doug’s yard, stretching long enough to accommodate two distinct viewing points, features a makeshift ladder and scaffolding crafted from materials like yellow paint and plywood. “I have to keep it a little redneck,” he joked, placing an American flag in the corner to mark the spot for visitors. While the shaded tee and fairway view is a highlight, the family has also devised a clever way to monitor the green, ensuring no detail of the tournament is missed.

The Hageney Family’s Renovation Quest

Jim and Eileen Hageney, another family on Boulder Creek Lane, have recently acquired their home but are still in the process of renovations. Their property, which lacks running water and has workers bustling through the space on Friday morning, has become a part-time stage for the PGA Championship. The couple, who have only lived there for a year, have taken on the challenge of transforming the house while maintaining their connection to the golf club. Their daughter, Claire, is set to marry at Aronomink in August, adding another layer of personal investment in the club’s events. Even during the construction phase, the Hageney family found ways to enjoy the tournament, using temporary scaffolding to catch glimpses of the game while their team worked on the chimney.

A Shared Experience of Golf Enthusiasm

Among the neighbors, the Siberski and Hageney families have become particularly invested in the PGA Championship. The rental of platforms, costing around $2,000, has allowed them to create a private viewing experience that rivals the exclusive areas reserved for club members. While the Hageney setup is slightly more refined, with handrails and stairs, the Siberski family’s DIY approach adds a touch of charm. A “Quiet Please” sign is affixed near the platform, a reminder to fellow spectators that the event is in full swing. The Hageney family has also ensured that their invitation-only access remains discreet, attaching a “Private – By Invite Only” label to one of their dumpsters. This small detail underscores their dedication to maintaining the exclusivity of the viewing experience.

As the tournament unfolds, the neighborhood transforms into a gathering space where the game of golf is more than a sport—it’s a shared cultural event. The Siberski family, along with their neighbors, has turned their backyard into a makeshift stadium, complete with seating arrangements and communal excitement. Doug, who jokes about his 12 handicap, admits he doesn’t take the game too seriously but revels in the social aspect. “I thought, ‘Why not?’” he said, capturing the spirit of the moment. The camaraderie between families has created a unique atmosphere, blending the traditional with the modern in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

“The last time this event was here, it was 1962,” Siberski said. “My sister was one. And now we’ll all be here today, watching it again.”

Meanwhile, the Hageney family’s own setup offers a different kind of perspective. Their platform, with its elegant design, allows for a more comfortable viewing experience, though they still appreciate the raw energy of the course. “You can tell by the size of the crowd when someone more well-known is about to play,” Hageney remarked, highlighting the collective anticipation that builds as the tournament progresses. The moment Tommy Fleetwood and his caddie passed beneath their platform, the significance of the location became clear. The crowd’s reaction and the players’ movements create a dynamic that only those in the immediate vicinity can fully experience.

From Quirky to Spectacular

What began as a quirky house on Boulder Creek Lane has evolved into a neighborhood epicenter for the PGA Championship. The combination of Stanley’s original design and the recent additions of viewing platforms and scaffolding has created a unique blend of history and modernity. For the Siberski family, the house is not just a home—it’s a legacy, a place where generations have gathered to share in the excitement of the tournament. The Hageney family, though new to the area, has quickly become part of this tradition, using their renovation project as an excuse to immerse themselves in the event. Their shared enthusiasm for golf, even if it’s not their primary passion, has united them with their neighbors in a way that’s both unexpected and heartwarming.

As the event draws to a close, the house on Boulder Creek Lane will once again return to its quiet, quirky existence. But for a week, it has become a symbol of community spirit and a testament to the power of location. The neighbors, with their creative setups and shared interests, have turned the ordinary into the extraordinary, proving that the PGA Championship is not just about the game—it’s about the people who make it memorable. Whether through DIY scaffolding or carefully crafted platforms, the residents of Boulder Creek Lane have embraced