There are few areas as beautiful as the Pocono Mountains, which are primarily located in Northeast Pennsylvania. To witness the majesty of these views up close and personal this fall, consider traveling to Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania, which is home to Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.
First, you’ll be able to treasure 27 holes. Best of all, the course is A.W. Tillinghast’s first-ever design. A legendary course architect, Tillinghast also created timeless layouts like Baltusrol Golf Club and Winged Foot Golf Club.
“It is an exceptionally special place — a mecca for golfers,” says Jeromy Wo, director of marketing.
Second, the resort is fully dedicated to golf. According to Wo, Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s employees understand a “special duty” that they have: to “preserve the sacred golf history” that’s been “forged on the course.”
And what a history Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has. For instance, Arnold Palmer met his first wife, Winnie, at the resort. Also, actor Jackie Gleason, known for “The Honeymooners,” became a scratch golfer at the course. Finally, the resort’s first superintendent, Robert White, became the PGA of America’s first president.
“Our commitment to golf stands out,” Wo says. “We are a golf resort — in that order.”
PRESERVING AND ELEVATING A RICH HERITAGE
It is vital for Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s staff members to preserve its history. To do so, though, it must continuously “elevate its rich golf heritage,” according to Wo.
“We are a golf-first property, and it is our desire to continue that tradition into the future,” Wo says.
To do so, the Shawnee Golf Bridge was built roughly 18 months ago. As a result of this bridge, the resort’s golf season has been extended considerably. After all, golfers can now traverse to the resort’s golf island throughout the entire year, weather permitting, of course.
This is significant for two main reasons. For starters, the island is home to 24 of the resort’s 27 holes. Not to mention, it’s also located in the middle of the Delaware River. Before the new bridge was built, the resort had a temporary bridge. It would be placed on the course every spring and removed in the fall, leading to a roughly six-month-long golf season.
Now? If the weather cooperates, golfers are able to play nearly every day, depending on snowfall and so forth. In turn, the resort’s funds will rise substantially, thereby ensuring it has the financial means to maintain its traditions.
“Besides our classic golf courses, we have a tradition that needs to be experienced — a tradition that will continue,” Wo says.
A RESORT MADE FOR GOLFERS
While preparing for the future, Wo is especially proud of how the resort has maintained its traditions, along with its focus on golf.
Offering 3,362-yard (Red Course), 3,227-yard (White Course) and 3,438-yard (Blue Course) layouts from the tips, none of the resort’s nine-hole layouts are overly long. Instead, they require precision, shot making and course management more than bombs off the tee. In a sense, one could argue that they’re a step back in time, at least to a degree.
“Our historic resort was made for golfers,” Wo says. “We may not possess all of the bells and whistles of some of the modern properties, but we do have a classic layout — one of the few public Tillinghast courses that are still in existence.”
He adds, “Come out to the pristine Poconos and take a step back in time at our resort this fall.”