News for the Hospitality Executive |
Pocono
Manor, Pennsylvania, April 4,
2012 ... The Inn at Pocono Manor,
which opened in
1902, is the longest continuously operating resort in the Pocono
Mountains and
one of the oldest in North America. Throughout
the last century, the 110-year-old resort,
which is listed on
the National Registry of Historic Places, has distinguished itself
within
hospitality and within golf, adding 36 holes designed by three
legendary golf
course architects. In recognition of a
century of golf, the resort has announced a Centennial Celebration for
Pocono
Manor’s historic East Course, a Classic Era course which originally
opened in
1912 with nine holes by Donald Ross, that were expanded to eighteen by
William
Flynn in 1924. The resort’s West Course
opened in 1959 with nine holes designed by George Fazio as a modern
complement
to the East Course's classic-era routing and style.
The West Course expanded to 18 holes in
1965.
“It is indeed an honor for our team at The Inn at Pocono Manor to join together in this celebration of one of "I'm personally very pleased to be a part of the history of this incredible classic golf course," said Greg Wall, head golf professional at the resort. "My father, Art Wall, Jr., who won the Masters tournament in 1959 and for many years represented Pocono Manor as touring professional, remains an active part of the legacy of this beautifully-designed course. As does the remarkable Jack Cuttle, who was Head Pro here for a remarkable 50 years! So much golf history has occurred at Pocono Manor, as well as countless memories for my family. It is an honor to help usher the East Course into its second century!" Pocono Manor’s East Course Centennial Celebration will kick off May 15 & 16, 2012, with a 2-day event for Golf Media and Golf Historians, which is designed to reach back over a century of the game. Highlights will be:
The Public will also be invited to join in the celebration with a special Anniversary Twilight rate of just $19.12 every Thursday after 2:00 pm during the months of April, May and June -- in recognition of the East Course’s 1912 opening date. Additionally, the Special Centennial Golf Package includes:
The In 2011 more than $5 Million was invested in comprehensively renovating The Inn at Pocono Manor’s historic main lodge. Renovations included all public spaces, event and meeting rooms, restaurants & lounges, and guestrooms. The extensive renovation retained and updated the spirit of 1902 through a sophisticated color palette, fine wood finishes, elegant period-style furnishings and window treatments, sumptuous linens and bedding, and state-of-the-art HVAC systems. Included in the renovation was the reopening of the long-closed massive stone fireplaces in both the upper and lower lobbies on the Golf Champions who have played The Inn at Pocono Manor’s Classic Era East Course include: Arnold Sam Snead Tommy Bolt Jack Burke Walter Burkemo Roberto DeVicenzo Orville Moody Gene Littler Charles Coody Jerry Barber Doug Ford Art Wall, Jr. 100 Years of Golf at Pocono Manor: An abbreviated Historical Timeline 1920-24 - William Flynn, designer of Shinnecock Hills and many other classic courses, designs the second nine holes, which open for play for the 1924 golf season. 1925 - Jack Cuttle begins his 50-year career as head professional at Pocono Manor. 1927 - The numbering of the East Course is changed; starting that year, play begins at original hole #5. This hole sits next to the current clubhouse, which was originally built as the “summer cottage” of the Strawbridge family, noted clothiers in Philadelphia. Early 1930s - Pocono Manor opens a caddie camp, which remains for the next decade. 1946 - The first golf cart appears at Pocono Manor, purchased by the Whitten family. Initially the Whittens still use caddies to carry their bags while they ride the course. 1950 - Art Wall, Jr. of nearby Honesdale joins the PGA Tour, and represents Pocono Manor as the course’s touring professional. 1953 - Representing Pocono Manor, Art Wall Jr. wins his first of 14 PGA Tour events, the Fort Wayne Open. 1959 - A new nine holes, called the West course, are cleared and built by George Fazio. The cost of clearing the land of timber and rock is so expensive that the second nine holes are not constructed. 1959 - Representing Pocono Manor, Art Wall Jr. wins the Masters tournament by making birdies on 5 of the last 6 holes, the greatest final-round charge in the history of major golf tournaments. He is later named PGA Player of the Year. 1961 - In August, a series of matches among top pros is played on the original course, renamed the East course, for a TV program called “All Star Golf.” Cameras are mounted on the tailgate of station wagons to hold them steady for filming. Art Wall Jr., Tommy Bolt, Jack Burke, Walter Burkemo, Cary Middlecoff, and Sam Snead participate over five weeks. Bolt defeated each man until Wall beat him to earn $2,000. Jimmy Demaret, a three-time Masters champion, was the on-course announcer for this match. 1961 - Construction begins on Interstate 380 adjacent to Pocono Manor. In return for using a quarry on the property, the road builder agrees to clear land for the second nine holes of the West course, which are completed in 1965. 1968 - Arnold Palmer plays a match against Art Wall, Jr. on the East course. Palmer hits his tee shot into the creek on the 77-yard 7th hole, and makes double bogey. 1968 - The ski hill and toboggan run on present hole #5 is closed. Remnants of the ski lift can still be found in the woods to the right of the fairway. 1975 - Art Wall, Jr. wins the Greater Milwaukee Open at age 51, the second-oldest player ever to win a PGA Tour event. (Sam Snead, age 52). 1975 - Jack Cuttle retires. Ted Johnson becomes head professional at Pocono Manor 1977 - The Pocono Northeast Classic, an LPGA Tour event, takes place on the West course. Debbie Austin wins the event by one stroke over Sandra Post. 1978 - Art Wall, Jr. wins the U.S. National Senior Open 1984 - Greg Wall (Art’s son) becomes head professional at Pocono Manor. 1986 - 1989 - Greg Wall coordinates pro-am events each year on the East course. Participants include his father, Art Wall Jr., and several major champions: Roberto DeVicenzo, Orville Moody, Gene Littler, Charles Coody, Jerry Barber, Doug Ford, plus others. 1988 - Art Wall, Jr. plays in the last of his 31 Masters tournaments. Greg Wall teams up with his father as caddie. 2012 - The East course at Pocono Manor turns 100 years old. Over the past 87 years, Pocono Manor has had just three head professionals: Jack Cuttle, Ted Johnson, and Greg Wall. The Inn at Pocono Manor Media Center: http://www.poconomanor.com/press-releases About The Inn at Pocono Manor The Inn at Pocono Resort blends a century of hospitality with the demands of 21st Century travelers. Lovingly referred to as the “The Grand Lady of the Mountains” and a National Registry of Historic Places property, The Inn at Pocono Manor opened in 1902 as a country retreat for Philadelphia Quakers. Today it is the oldest continuously running Resort in the Poconos and one of the oldest in North America. The Inn’s main lodge and event space were comprehensively renovated in 2011, restoring turn-of-the-last century charm to the historic facilities and integrating state-of-the-art technology expected by today’s travelers. The all-season resort boasts 237 beautiful guestrooms, and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space that can accommodate up to 500 guests. The Exchange at Pocono Manor restaurant features superb dining with an eclectic flair. The Old Lamplighter Lounge serves specialty beverages and pub fare throughout the day. Complete recreational amenities are available at The Inn at Pocono Manor, including signature golf, horseback riding, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the luxurious Laurel Spa, fishing, clay shooting, cross country skiing, and more. Striking views of the Pocono Mountains are visible from all sides of the resort’s main building. Complimentary wireless Internet is available throughout. The Inn at Pocono Manor features two 18-hole signature golf courses, including the East Course dating to 1912, with its first nine holes designed by Donald Ross and second nine by William Flynn, and has been host to golf legends like Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jerry Barber. In 1959, the West Course opened its first nine designed by George Fazio. Throughout the years it has remained a favorite with long ball hitters. A destination within the Poconos for over a century, the 3000-acre Inn at Pocono Manor is minutes away from Crossings Premium Outlets, Camelbeach Water Park, Camelback Ski Mountain, and the Mt. Airy Casino. The AAA three diamond-rated Resort is within two hours of New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia. www.poconomanor.com |
Contact: Ken Ellens Ken Ellens Communications 201-758-2864 [email protected] |