Re-emerging Golf Destination in the Lush, Forested Mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania Offers Golfers Opportunity to Reconnect, Relax on Authentic Classic Courses and Striking New Layouts
(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania) – The Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret, are in the midst of a reinvention. With classic courses undergoing renovations and enhancements, and new options being introduced, golfers can rediscover all the destination has to offer.
A few of the many projects being completed or in progress include (listed alphabetically):
â?¢ Cherry Valley Golf Course (Stroudsburg; 570-421-1350) took the winter to renovate the clubhouse and pro shop and added a deck of the bar and grill. On-course enhancement projects include lengthening Nos. 10 and 14 and rebuilding greens (scheduled to be completed next year but not affecting play).
â?¢ The Country Club at Woodloch Springs (Hawley; 800-572-6658) – home to Rocky Roquemore’s par-72 championship golf course – enjoys an elite relationship with the area’s newest destination spa – The Lodge at Woodloch. Guests of Woodloch Springs receive preference when booking spa appointments at the rejuvenating mountain oasis.
â?¢ Fernwood Hotel & Resort (Bushkill; 570-588-9500) has rebuilt bunkers, constructed a new blue tee on the 13th hole which added approximately 40 yards, and constructed a new forward tee on the 17th hole.
â?¢ Glen Brook Golf Club (Stroudsburg; 570-421-3680), one of the oldest courses in the Pocono Mountains, has completed drainage work on holes 12 and 13.
â?¢ Great Bear Golf & Country Club (East Stroudsburg; 570-223-2000) – designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and stretching to more than 7,000 yards from the tips – makes the transition to a private course. The course will remain available to groups of 32 or more on Mondays and Tuesdays as well as those who have booked an event such as a banquet or wedding.
â?¢ Jack Frost National (Blakeslee; 866-268-5503) prepares to open its doors to golf enthusiasts this spring. The family-friendly design stretches to 7,200 yards and features Pennsylvania’s new LoMo blue grass fairways and Penn-4 bent grass greens.
â?¢ Mount Airy Golf Club (Mount Pocono; 570-839-8816) was recently awarded a gaming license and is breaking ground on a $360 million redevelopment that will include a brand new casino and hotel complex that will include 3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, two live entertainment lounges, an indoor pool, spa and retail shops.
â?¢ As they did in 2006, The Inn at Pocono Manor (Pocono Manor; 800-233-8150) will increase the size of their tee boxes by an additional two feet in 2007. New signage, yardage markers and water stations have also been added to the Donald Ross-designed East Course.
â?¢ Resort at Split Rock (Lake Harmony; 800-255-7625) boasts 27 holes of championship golf and nine more scheduled for a 2009 unveiling. Last season Split Rock introduced the golfing public to its new 15,000 sq. ft. clubhouse – boasting a large retail area and pro shop, men’s and ladies locker rooms, a snack shop on the turn, club room, large outdoor patio and a beautiful restaurant and bar with panoramic view overlooking the 9th hole.
â?¢ The 27-hole Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (Shawnee on Delaware; 800-742-9633) – an original A.W. Tillinghast design – introduced the 9-hole, lighted Tillinghast Approach Course last season. Accentuating the championship course are rebuilt bunkers and the fairways are being converted to bent grass. Aesthetic improvements are taking place outside of the pro shop and the resort is adding a new outdoor dining area that overlooks the golf course.
â?¢ Scheduled for spring, Skytop Lodge (Skytop; 800-345-7759) will unveil a re-shaped No. 8 green; extensive plantings and landscaping, new junior tees, a new tee box on No. 5. In addition, all Skytop buildings are now completely non-smoking.
â?¢ Water Gap Country Club (Delaware Water Gap; 570-476-0300) is wrapping up resodding and leveling work on six tees and continues its bunker edging/refacing projects.
In addition to the ongoing enhancements taking place in the Pocono Mountains, Mountain Laurel Golf Club (White Haven, 570-443-7424) recently joined the golf cooperative – bringing the number of courses and resort courses to 22. The 18-hole Geoffrey Cornish-designed championship golf course stretches to 6,900 yards and features dramatic elevation changes and large Penncross bent grass greens.
The venerable resorts of the Pocono Mountains have been staples of vacationing couples and families for generations, while newer resorts have been introduced to widen the array of options. An exciting reinvention is under way, but the authenticity of this destination remains and it’s time for vacationers to take advantage of the opportunity to relax and reconnect in this beautiful mountain setting.
"The many resorts and courses that make the Pocono Mountains a must-visit destination are continuing to evolve to meet the needs of today’s guest," says Robert Uguccioni, executive director of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. "People are looking to reconnect with family and friends and can do so in the relaxing, authenticity of this majestic setting. Everything that made the Pocono Mountains a great destination a generation ago is still present, but there is so much more than ever before."
For more information on these golf courses, stay-and-play packages and additional Pocono Mountains activities, visit www.poconosgolf.com.
About the "Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret"
The Pocono Mountains has long been known to avid travelers and mountain aficionados for its lush, relaxing family friendly ambiance and romantic setting, as well as its fall foliage, winter skiing, spring-summer outdoor recreation options and natural beauty. Numerous lakes, parks and other environmental wonderlands are found throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region.
Discerning golfers are well aware that the Pocono Mountains are home to golf courses designed by renowned architects such as Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast. Pocono Mountains golf properties and value-laden golf packages are available on www.poconosgolf.com, which allows players to enjoy majestic mountain-view scenery, the area’s natural splendor, year-round amenities and unequaled value and variety.
Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:
â?¢ Home to hundreds of golf holes at numerous clubs, many located close to one another:
â?¢ Two NASCAR races held annually each spring-summer
â?¢ Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast
â?¢ Golf, lodging and resort accommodations at all price points, from luxury to value
â?¢ Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities
â?¢ Attractions, festivals and other special events
â?¢ Meeting and conference facilities
â?¢ Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants
â?¢ Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts
â?¢ Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703-891-3320, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
Rob Thomas, Buffalo Communications
214-701-1153, rthomas@billycaspergolf.com
