Fall in Millcreek ushers in some of the best weather we have all year . Sunny days , vibrant leaves and moderate temperatures make conditions ideal for the perfect round of golf . Last year , the season was in full swing well into November .
Maybe you haven ’ t considered Erie as a golf destination but there are visitors from Canada , western New York , northwestern Pennsylvania and Ohio who make the short drive to enjoy our area ’ s courses .
Our region is home to 28 golf courses and PGA . com rates one of them , Whispering Woods off Grubb Road , one of the top 10 in Pennsylvania . It ’ s also won Erie ’ s Choice Award for best golf course five years in a row .
VisitErie , the nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing tourism in Erie , promotes our area golf courses to visitors and offers stay-and-play packages .
“ Through VisitErie ’ s overnight golf packages and discounts , Erie is becoming a popular golfing destination and we are fortunate to have a gem like Whispering Woods in our backyard ,” says John Oliver , VisitErie ’ s President and CEO .
So what makes Whispering Woods such a great course ? Well , take the latest golf course technology , paired with 100-year-old treelined fairways , a challenging layout and a local family-run management team and you have an epic golf experience .
“ We often hear from golfers , especially Canadian golfers , about the high quality Whispering Woods offers for such a reasonable rate ,” says Oliver .
The course , built in 2007 , was designed by golf course architect John Exley and built with the latest golf course technology and newest USGA specs . The builders spared no expense in the construction , even keeping the mature trees on the wooded lot , though it cost more .
In 2015 , the former director of golf at Whispering Woods , Rich Rocky , had the opportunity to buy the course he ’ d been leasing since 2011 .
“ I never thought I would be in a position to own it . I was hoping to be a PGA golf pro all my life and this is the ultimate dream to me , to own a facility like Whispering Woods .
“ We often hear from golfers , especially Canadian golfers , about the high quality Whispering Woods offers at such a reasonable rate .”
When the opportunity came , I had to take it ,” says Rocky .
Rocky , who started his golf career at Lake View Country Club in North East , spent a few years working in Florida as a pro before returning to the area as golf director at Millcreek Golf & Learning Center in 2003 .
Proud that Whispering Woods is locally owned and operated , Rocky takes his twin sons out on the range to help him pick up balls and to teach them the ropes of golf course management . His wife , Jennifer , and his mother also help out around the club .
“ My mom works for me in the snack bar and concession stand . She ’ s been with me for 11 years and she knows she can never get in trouble with her boss ,” laughs Rocky .
Locals too have recognized Whispering Woods as a great place to play a round of golf .
Millcreek residents John and Leanne Byers became members of Whispering Woods this year . They ’ ve been able to get out to the course more than once a week since joining , and plan on renewing for next year .
“ It ’ s a beautiful course and it ’ s probably the most difficult one in the area . Also , the convenience of being able to pick up and play anytime because we are members is so great ,” says John Byers .
The technology aspect of the course is a huge plus for players . The club uses USGA ’ s Golf Handicap and Information Network ( GHIN ), allowing players to enter and track their scores through an app on their smart phone without ever having to stop in the clubhouse .
“ I have a rangefinder that picks up the reflectors at the top of the flags so I can get my distance , and it ’ s dead-on . I don ’ t always hit where I want to but at least I know where I am supposed to hit it ,” says Byers .
Residents and tourists alike are recognizing the great golf we have in Erie . Let ’ s hope for some nice autumn weather so you can get a few more rounds in before the snow starts to fall . n
Millcreek | Fall 2016 | icmags . com 67