A
s spring is beginning to bloom
all around us, new life is also
emerging at the Millcreek Golf
and Learning Center! After 8
years of dormancy, the Millcreek Golf and
Learning Center is finally reopening and
exciting opportunities for residents of all
ages and golf ability await!
Originally constructed in 2001,
Millcreek Golf and Learning Center (MGLC)
was a nine hole course and driving range,
built on 70 acres of a reclaimed Superfund
Site. The course was well used and loved
by the community as an educational and
family friendly golf facility. When the Erie
International Airport expanded in 2011,
a portion of the golf course (including
3 greens, a bridge, and pathways) was
lost as it was acquired by the airport for
their runway expansion and for the new
road that now borders that area. This
disruption ultimately led to the closing of
the Millcreek Golf and Learning Center.
In 2017, momentum built for the
consideration of reconstructing the golf
center. The Township hired architect
Jim Cervone, an American Society of
Golf Course Architects member, to help
explore design options for reimagining
the golf course. Cervone was tasked
with developing ideas for new holes and
features, while maximizing the use of
the features that still existed from the
original course. Due to construction costs,
Jodie O’Connor
and Director of LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of
Erie, which is a non-profit whose purpose
is to introduce the game of golf to young
girls and teens. She has run numerous
successful camps and programs through
this organization since 2015. O’Connor
comes with previous knowledge of golf
shop organization and merchandise
as well as experience as a Junior Golf
Instructor with the Kahkwa Club. She
was awarded the 2018 Women Making
History from the City of Erie and received
an honorable mention to the Top 50 Kids
Teachers Award with US Kids Golf. The
Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors
are very impressed with O’Connor and
her vision along with her expectations
of quality service at the community
course. Supervisor Groh affirms that “Jodie
O’Connor is a well respected member of
the professional golf community and we
are very fortunate to have her oversee
the management and programs of the
Millcreek Golf and Learning Center.”
O’Connor is excited for all the potential
the clubhouse and course has from its
design and location. She is eager to put
her touch on the facility, starting from
scratch essentially. She has plans to fill the
clubhouse with healthy snacks, apparel,
and golf items; and also acknowledges
the potential for the clubhouse as a
great event or party space. O’Connor
has grand plans for the course, as she
will be expanding her junior league
programming to include youth boys
this summer! She also is welcoming and
encouraging senior leagues and adult
leagues to consider the course as its
thoughtful design allows for a variety of
options in terms of length of play. The
large driving range is also a great practice
location for beginner to advanced golfers
alike!
Parks and Recreation Director Ashley
Marsteller expresses, “The Millcreek Golf
and Learning Center will be a great family
friendly, unintimidating place to learn,
grow, and sharpen the game of golf in our
community. I can’t wait to see everyone
enjoy this facility again!” The driving range
at the course is set to open May 1st, and
the course will have its grand opening
June 1st.
Please visit the MGLC website,
www.millcreekgolferie.com, and Facebook
page, Millcreek Golf and Learning, to
continue to get updates on the course
and its programming, including hours of
operation and pricing.