Pocono News Section

Golf Courses Cashing in on Early Warm Weather

Golf Courses Cashing in on Early Warm Weather - Monday, April 5, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday April 05 2010
PARADISE TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - With the beautiful weather here a little earlier than usual, many golf courses are now opening up. That's great news in the Poconos, where the golfing industry is a key piece of the tourism puzzle.

Golfers spent Monday teeing off at the Mount Airy golf course in Monroe County. The links just opened up Friday, and golfers say there's only one word to describe the conditions - and the weather. "Fantastic. It's suddenly summer. We've skipped spring and gone directly into summer," said Ginny May of.

Ginny May and her friend Charlotte Blamble live in Buck Hill Falls. They typically play closer to home, but wanted to give this course a shot.

They just got back from Florida. They say the weather is warmer here than there. "I'm hoping it'll be dry. We'll see. I'm sure there's gonna be some wet spots. I understand it rained here. We just got back in town," said Charlotte.

Ginny added, "I understand it's a very interesting course and you know, so, the weather's great."

The Mount Airy Golf Course manager says his crew has been working to get everything ready for this sudden burst of warm weather. "You don't see a lot of golf courses in the Poconos open in late March/April, so the weather conditions helped us do clean-up," said Manager Chris Zelenka.

Besides Mount Airy, work is also underway at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort to get their course open by Thursday. Officials say the golf industry really helps tourism in the Poconos and every course is unique.