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