Pocono Mountains' Courses Receive Enhancements

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (Pa.) has announced that this four-county destination continues with renovations to its classic courses, while introducing new entertainment options.

A few of the many projects being completed or in progress include:

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, as well as new championship tees. The club is also renovating 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 better service check-ins while offering a wider variety of clothing, equipment and other merchandise. The locker rooms were also expanded. On the course, cart paths are now complete on all 18 holes and new tees were added or 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 - to increase the landing area by 50 percent while improving pace of play on a very difficult hole. Irrigation upgrades were also made.

Fernwood Hotel & Resort (Bushkill; 570/588-9500) has resurfaced cart paths, widened fairways, added new signage, and will have smoother greens thanks to 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 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Seniors 60 and over will receive a discount on 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 complete re-design and the addition of 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 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 a new nine, 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 golfers 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 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."

For more information on the golf courses, stay-and-play packages and additional Pocono Mountains activities, visit www.poconosgolf.com. For more information on the area, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (762-6667).