Venerable Northeastern Pennsylvania Golf Destination Continues Transformation While Offering Golfers Opportunity to Reconnect, Relax in Mother Nature?s Authentic Glory
(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania) – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau today announces that the exciting reinvention in this four-county destination continues with classic courses undergoing renovations and enhancements, while new entertainment options are introduced.
A few of the many projects being completed or in progress include (listed alphabetically):
* Buck Hill Falls Golf Club (Buck Hill Falls; 570-595-7730) has continued adding tee boxes, particularly forward boxes, to make the course more playable for higher handicaps and championship tees, to make the course more challenging for lower handicap players. The club is also in the process of renovating approximately 30 bunkers and will be implementing 10-minute tee time intervals to counter congestion.
* Cherry Valley Golf Course (Stroudsburg; 570-421-1350) has expanded the pro shop to assist in better servicing golfer check-in while offering a wider variety of clothing, equipment and other merchandise. The membership locker rooms were also expanded. On the course, cart paths are now complete on all 18 holes and new tees were added/rebuilt for increased yardage. The irrigation system was upgraded, bunkers and grass mounds added and numerous trees planted throughout the course.
* The Country Club at Woodloch Springs (Hawley; 800-572-6658) has cleared trees on the corner of No. 14 and will be removing the cart path on No. 3 – from the 150 yard mark to approximately the 75 yard mark – increasing the landing area by 50 percent while improving pace of play on a very difficult hole. They have also replaced swing joints in more than 350 irrigation heads from the tees and fairways.
* Fernwood Hotel & Resort (Bushkill; 570-588-9500) has resurfaced cart paths, widened fairways, added new signage and the promise of smoother greens with the institution of a modified aeration schedule. The course will also offer deals for ladies and seniors, discounted twilight and “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” rates.
* Hideaway Hills Golf Club (Kresgeville, 610-681-6000) has extended its “Senior Day” to days. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday seniors (60 and over) will receive a discount for golf. The club has also extended its acceptance of The Golf Card to Monday through Friday at any time of day. Discounts fluctuate according to the season.
* Mount Airy Golf Club (Mount Pocono; 570-839-8816) introduced a $360 million casino and hotel complex that includes 3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, two live entertainment lounges, an indoor pool, spa and retail shops. The golf course expects to re-open in 2009 upon completion of a re-design and additional new features.
* The 27-hole Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (Shawnee on Delaware; 800-742-9633) has added new fairway yardage markers, seed and soil containers on golf carts and new curbing and landscaping throughout the course. Off the course, the resort has added the luxurious Legacy Collection accommodations and the Shawnee Gallery, featuring art sales, workshops and Shawnee Craft furniture.
* Skytop Lodge Golf Course (Skytop; 800-345-7759) celebrates 80 years in the hospitality business in 2008. This spring, Skytop Lodge will introduce the Adventure Center at Skytop – a new facility that will feature a 40-foot tall rock climbing wall, paintball, mountain biking course, kayaking and canoeing, geo-caching course and wilderness survival classes.
* Split Rock Resort & Golf Club (Lake Harmony, 570-722-9111) continues work on the new nine holes with an expected opening of 2009, bringing the total number of holes to 36. The club has added a new senior pre-season rate, where seniors (65 and older) can play midweek for $30 and weekends for $40. New midweek specials include “Four for $120” on Tuesday and Thursday and “Buy One Greens Fee, Get the Second Free” on Monday and Wednesday. A new practice green was also added in front of the clubhouse, while the Sunset Green Restaurant will be offering a selection of Tapas this season along with other new menu items.
“The many courses and resorts in the Pocono Mountains have taken great strides to not only meet, but surpass the expectations of today’s guests,” says PMVB Executive Director Carl Wilgus. “Whether looking for a weekend getaway, taking advantage of midweek stay-and-play packages or an extended visit to the peaceful Pocono Mountains, this one-of-a-kind destination has something for everyone.”
The Pocono Mountains have been a must-visit vacation destination for generations of couples and families. An exciting reinvention is under way, with venerable resorts being joined by newer properties, but the authenticity of this destination remains. Now more than ever, it’s time for vacationers to take advantage of the opportunity to relax and reconnect in this beautiful mountain setting.
For more information on these golf courses, stay-and-play packages and additional Pocono Mountains activities, visitwww.poconosgolf.com.
For more information on the area, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).
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 Mountainsregion.
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 onwww.poconosgolf.com, which allows players to enjoy majestic mountain-view scenery, the area’s natural splendor, year-round amenities and unequaled value and variety.
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Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:
Home to hundreds of golf holes at numerous clubs, many located close to one another:
• Two NASCAR races held annually each spring-summer
• Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast
• Golf, lodging and resort accommodations at all price points, from luxury to value
• Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities
• Attractions, festivals and other special events
• Meeting and conference facilities
• Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants
• Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts
• Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703-891-3320, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
Rob Thomas, Buffalo Communications
330-696-1476, rthomas@billycaspergolf.com
