PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – (August 1, 2017) – One of the oldest golf courses in America … one of the oldest indoor swimming pools in America … and one of the most historic resort hotels in America. This is the formula that comes together in one of the most compelling episodes of the award-winning Traveling Golfer television show.
The August episode comes from the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania – a spot that has been attracting visitors since the beginning of the 19th century.
There have been a number of stages to the development of the Omni Bedford Springs Resort – on both the golf course and hotel sides of this majestic property.
The original 18-hole golf course was designed by Spencer Oldham in 1896. In 1912 the renowned Philadelphia-based architect A.W. Tillinghast was brought in to redesign and lengthen many of the holes. The course was reduced to nine holes. In the 1920s Donald Ross added his design expertise and expanded the course back to 18 holes. In the early part of this century, Ron Forse and his Pittsburgh-based design team were brought in to modernize, renovate and restore the golf course. Ever since, the resultant 18-hole design has been rated among the top three public access courses in Pennsylvania.
“The course is a stunningly beautiful walk in the park,” says Director of Golf Ron Leporati, who has been in that position since even before the golf course re-opened. “But don’t let its beauty lull you to sleep. The course is fun to play but very challenging.”
The hotel also has had an interesting evolution. Established by Dr. John Anderson, after identifying healing agents in the natural springs, it is recognized as one of the last and best-preserved 19th Century resort hotels based around mineral springs. Going back to 1806 when the original Stone House was constructed, it expanded greatly over the years. A total of 12 U.S. presidents have stayed on property, including serving as the “Summer White House” for James Buchanan.
The property fell into disrepair in the latter part of the 20th Century and closed its doors in 1986. In 1998 it was purchased by Bedford Resort Partners and a massive renovation was undertaken. Today it stands as an extremely popular four-season resort.
“You can just feel the history and the tradition as soon as you walk onto the property,” remarks General Manager Bill Liedholm. “This property goes way beyond just being a resort. It is a true American experience.”
A main segment of the show includes an in-depth look at the amazing culinary experience at Omni Bedford Resort. Four restaurants provide different styles of dining – all with a farm-to-table mantra.
The episode from Omni Bedford Springs – including a peek at the nearby historic town of Bedford — begins airing August 1 and runs throughout the month on the Traveling Golfer network of websites … including The Golf Director Network (see full list of sites on travelinggolfervideo.com). It also will air on Monday, August 14 as part of the Press Box television show in Myrtle Beach, 5 to 7 p.m. on HTC Ch. 4. The Traveling Golfer also airs as a scheduled weekly feature show on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Comcast SportsNet airings are 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 4:30 p.m. Thursdays. The Comcast Network airs the show at 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
As part of every Traveling Golfer show there is the additional feature, “Tech Talk”, hosted by Tour Edge Golf experts, such as President Dave Glod. With years of experience as a club maker, Glod presents an inside look at the research and development of high-quality golf equipment.
Responding to golfers’ never-ending demands to learn more about interesting golf courses and golf resorts across the country and around the world, well-traveled host Tony Leodora created the Traveling Golfer so he could take viewers on video trips to some of the most exciting golf locations. The show repeated for the second straight year as the No. 1 Golf Television Show in America in the prestigious International Network of Golf Awards, presented at the PGA Merchandise Show in January.
The Traveling Golfer is a series of monthly shows hosted by Leodora, who has 16 years of experience in televised golf. The featured destination stays on the website for one month, before being replaced by a new show. The old shows are archived for continued viewing on home website, www.travelinggolfervideo.com.
For more information about the Traveling Golfer, or to find out how a property can be featured on the show, call TL Golf Services at (610) 279-9220.
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