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Pocono News Section
Future of Cherokee Golf Course in Question
Future of Cherokee Golf Course in Question - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 6:00PM EST
Rush Township, Northumberland County-
Some business owners in central Pennsylvania are considering building houses on a golf course they say is no longer profitable.
It’s news that has upset some neighbors who fear the effects of a population boom in the area.
Cherokee Golf Course regulars were saddened to hear that the course’s future may be as a housing development.
Bonnie Eddy, of Wilkes-Barre, said, “I’d hate to see it happen. We have a lot of courses up our way, they’re great courses too. We just found this one to be the one we choose to play and we like it very much.”
Course co-owner Kevin Brouse says business has been on the downslide since the mid ‘90’s. He says that’s when road construction projects created traffic tie-ups that cut into profits.
Brouse noted, “Nobody wants to sit in traffic and detours so you find alternate places to play.”
Brouse adds it’s not just the play on the course. Sales of golf clubs and other items have also been down.
He recalled, “We would average actually 30 sets a month out of here. At this point, I don’t believe we’re even reaching 30 sets a year.”
They’ve thought about selling, but received little interest from buyers.
So the Brouse’s are considering putting houses on the course on one-acre lots- about 75 in all.
But Rush Township supervisors say that violates a zoning ordinance.
Many people living near the golf course oppose turning it into a housing development. They say that they live here specifically because of the quality of life in this rural area, and worry that a housing development would take away from that.
They also fear adding traffic to the already congested Route 54 which runs through Rush Township.
There’s still a glimmer of hope, as Brouse notes that sales are up slightly so far this year. But if profits continue to slide, he believes putting houses on the course makes sense.
Brouse added, “Urban sprawl is continuing and there’s not going to be any stopping. You know eventually, if there’s a need for it, it’s going to happen.”
The Brouse family intends to appeal the zoning decision in Northumberland County court. They expect the case to be viewed later this fall or next spring. | | |
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