The stretch of I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia is a common route for many commuters and salesman alike. Even though the cities are only an hour's drive apart, the small towns and suburbs between are home to a plethora of quality golf courses.

A couple of weeks ago we made a trip up I-95 to play Pilgrim's Oak Golf Course in Peach Bottom Pennsylvania. This "hidden gem" is a world away from both cities but close enough to escape and enjoy one of the most interesting and best conditioned courses anywhere!

This once sprawling dairy farm is located in Southern Lancaster County and was transformed into a golf course by designer Michael Hurdzan in 1996. It has sense been a favorite with the local golfing community and a must play for all Mid-Atlantic golf enthusiasts.

What makes the course special is its diversity; no two-holes look similar and the various mounding and rolling topography make for an ever changing round of golf.

The front nine starts with a links feel with wide-open fairways giving all golfers the ability to rebound from a wayward tee shot. At the tee diversity is ever present; there's the down-hill, up-hill and tee shot to blind fairways where you just aim and hope your shot is going in the right direction.

From the fairway you'll get more of the same with approach shots that challenge your ability to judge changes in elevation to avoid the assortment of "trouble" guarding the greens..

The most diverse characteristic of the entire course awaits you on the greens. Each putting surface at Pilgrim's Oak presents a devilishly small target with a variety of slope and "rounded" edges. Pinehurst No.2 comes to mind where even though the green looks like a manageable target, the rounded edges and slope take away a third of the outside circumference of the green.

But if that wasn't enough to challenge your golfing prowess, most of the greens have shaved collection areas where overly aggressive shots without spin go to die. Depending on pin position these collection areas can make for an "ideal" or "impossible" place to chip.

If you're lucky enough to be chipping up-hill and with the grain of the grass, you'll have a relatively easy up and down. But if your luck has run out and you're chipping against the grain to a down slope, then getting the ball back on the green to a reasonable putting distance is a test.

But don't let us sway your own opinion, for each test the course presents there's another opportunity to score. Like all great courses adversity and opportunity must be an equal balance; testing both skill and ability to manage the game. So if you think you're up for the challenge then a round at Pilgrim's Oak is a sure bet to test each club in your bag!

Amigos Favorite Hole:We had many choices for favorite at Pilgrim's Oak but we decided the 493-yard Par 5 18th was a great finishing hole.

At the tee you're presented with a risk reward hole that is reachable in two but due to dueling water hazards on both sides of the fairway I suggest playing this Par-5 with a three shot approach.

If you take the three shot approach a hybrid or 3-wood is enough ample enough club to put you in good position for your lay-up shot. The second reason for playing this hole with a three shot approach is the small green guarded by a water hazard on the right and front side of the green.

Your shot to the green must be an accurate shot. If you play conservative to avoid the water hazard and error long and to the left then you'll have one of those delicate collection area chip shots I discussed earlier.