Pocono News Section

NEPA Golf Classic Ready to Tee Off

NEPA Golf Classic Ready to Tee Off - Monday, August 24, 2009 at 6:50PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Aug 24, 2009 @ 06:50pm EST
ROARING BROOK TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - The finishing touches were being put on the Elmhurst Country Club Monday afternoon as the Northeast Pennsylvania Golf Classic gets ready to tee off once again.

This will be the second time the tournament will be held at Elmhurst.

"Last year was a learning process for everyone including the fans. I think this year they understand we can do it up here," tournament director Paul Taramelli said.

Players began slowly trickling in Monday afternoon. In all, 156 players will play the course this week.

"We were really looking forward to coming back here because it was very well received. The players loved this place and we all loved coming back to the Scranton area," Tom Hearn, Rules Official with the PGA Tour said.

Long-time volunteers like Bill Beagle are also ready to go. He's gotten autographs from some of the best players in golf over the years.

"It's nice to see them here. Its great for the city," Beagle said.

Tournament directors say one of the best things about the Elmhurst Country Club is the ease of access for fans. Fans park about a mile away from the clubhouse and take shuttles to the facility. The shuttles run every 15 minutes.

Officials say the course is in great shape but is a little soft from last week's rain.

Admission to the tournament will be free on Thursday and Friday. Tickets will also be two-for-one on Saturday.

"There's no excuse not to come. It's an easy golf course to walk around and we're going to make it very easy for people to get here," Taramelli said.

Stay with Eyewitness News and Eyewitness Sports for continuing coverage of the Northeast Pennsylvania Golf Classic.