Few destinations across the United States can match the long and storied past Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains – home to legendary course designers, professional familial legacies and PGA Tour milestones.
Whether it is golf on a championship course, exploring Mother Nature’s options, or relaxing at a luxurious spa, the Pocono Mountains have been a must-visit destination for generations and offer a variety of recreational interests and world-class resorts for people of all ages.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the inception of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, below is a Top 10 list of golfing milestones exclusive to the Pocono Mountains.
1912 – Legendary Architect Donald Ross unveils his East Course at Pocono Manor Golf Resort & Spa. Ross – part of the Golden Era of golf which flourished in the four-county region – later designed another Pocono Mountains stalwart – Buck Hill Golf Club.
1928 – Walter Hagen takes an 11 on the par-3 12th at Wolf Hollow (now No. 4 at Water Gap Country Club) during the Eastern Open, the hole is forever known as “Hagen’s Folly.”
1938 – Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort – the first-ever design by A.W. Tillinghast – hosts the PGA Championship where Paul Runyan upset the great Sam Snead. The classic course would later host the 1967 NCAA Championships, won by a legend in the making, Hale Irwin.
1947 – Robert Trent Jones Sr. – the architect of classic layouts like Spyglass Hill and Hazeltine National (site of this year’s PGA Championship) – unveils his Pocono Mountains design at Tamiment Golf Club.
1952 – Arnold Palmer meets his future wife, Winnie, at Shawnee-on-the-Delaware, beginning one of golf’s great romances and cementing the Pocono Mountains reputation as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World.” The Palmers loving and affectionate relationship was well-documented as they were married for 45 years until Winnie’s untimely passing.
1959 – While representing Pocono Manor, Art Wall Jr. won the Masters and was named PGA Player of the Year, now his son Greg is currently the course’s Head Professional.
1974 – NASCAR hosts its first race at the Pocono Raceway – introducing hundreds of thousands of fans to great golf in the four-county destination – and continues to host two events annually.
1984 – Pocono Mountains Hospitality Scholarship Golf Tournament created to benefit local students who have been accepted into tourism and hospitality degree programs.
1997 – The “Golden Bear,” Jack Nicklaus unveils his Signature Design at the Great Bear Golf & Country Club.
2006 – Billy Casper-managed Jack Frost National debuts, giving the region more than 30 unique facilities. Three seasons later, Mount Airy reopens after refurbishments to the hotel including a Vegas-style casino. Gaming has arrived at the Poconos Mountains, a new chapter in destination’s history.
Combined with the close proximity of New York City, Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore, the mountain getaway has only grown in popularity over recent seasons. Golfers are choosing to stay closer to home rather than fight the rising travel costs and overcrowded fairways at other destinations. Instead of checking extra luggage, boarding planes and waiting in lines, smart golfers are making the short, scenic drive and teeing off on one of the Pocono Mountains many courses.
A complete list of Pocono Mountains golf courses and links to individual Web sites can be found at www.poconosgolf.com. The four-season destination also provides the ideal backdrop for corporate outings and meetings. If it’s an overnight stay, a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, people are increasingly discovering the convenience and proximity of the Pocono Mountains properties and value-laden packages.
For more information about golf and other activities in the Pocono Mountains: 800.POCONOS (800.762.6667), www.poconosgolf.com, www.800poconos.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:
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:
Jen Voss, Buffalo Communications
571-830-2531, jvoss@billycaspergolf.com
Rob Thomas, Buffalo Communications
330-696-1476, rthomas@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
