Scranton Times: Pocono Manor to Reopen for 2020 Season
BY MARTY MYERS, STAFF WRITER
PUBLISHED: MAY 10, 2020
Until about two weeks ago, it looked like Pocono Manor might join the list of regional golf courses that wouldn’t be reopening for the 2020 season.
That would have been a shame, since there has been Wall to Wall involvement with the resort course for the better part of
70 years.
But just a couple weeks ago, Greg Wall, head professional at Pocono Manor since 1984, got word that the course would indeed be — and is — reopened for the season.
A windswept Nov. 1 fire decimated the resort’s hotel, built in 1902. The future of the East Course, completed in 1912 by architects Donald Ross and William Flynn, was in limbo until Pocono Manor’s ownership and Oliphant Golf Management reached agreement on the course’s future.
“If it wasn’t for (Oliphant), we wouldn’t be opening,” Wall said. “But we only learned that a couple weeks ago. The fact that we are a viable golf course this year and then finally getting the thumbs up (from the state) to be open, people are extra ecstatic.
“It’s like you were born again almost. It’s a new life. After sitting in the house for all these months, it’s the first step in coming back. But it’s a big step for people who love golf and love to play the golf course that they frequent so often.”
Affordability and the resort’s proximity to Scranton off I-380 are big drawing cards.
“We give them a great deal,” Wall said. “We’re very affordable for everybody. There are a lot of regulars and they’re just thrilled that we’re here and we’re open.”
The Wall name has been synonymous with Pocono Manor since Greg’s father, Art Wall Jr., was the touring professional for the club.
“When he won the (1959) Masters, it was Art Wall of Pocono Manor,” Greg said. “Soon after that they had all those All-Star Golf TV matches here in 1961.”
Arnold Palmer played an exhibition there in 1967, and a series of pro-am tournaments brought in legends of the game and major champions. Almost every golfer, from pro to hacker, remembers the iconic 77-yard seventh hole, part of the charm that Wall is happy
to again share with golfers and
co-workers.
“The fire was so late in the year for me personally, after being here since 1984, I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye to everybody. Boom. It ended,” he said. “For me personally, that was one of the biggest things because of all the great relationships I have here.
“For our members and the tremendous amount of local people that love to play here, for all the homeowners at Pocono Manor, I can’t tell you how many emails and texts I got from people that we’re just heartbroken at the thought the golf course might not open. We were finally able to announce just a few weeks ago we are open. It was just a great thing for everybody that loves Pocono Manor.”