Mount Airy Casino Resort

Everything You Need for a Perfect Stay and Play

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

The fun never stops at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Whether it is gaming, nightlife, fabulous cuisine, relaxing by the pool or in the spa, or enjoying a round of golf at a great golf course and other activities, there is never a dull moment when you visit this revitalized historic destination tucked into the bucolic hills of The Poconos.

Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four Diamond Award casino, Mount Airy boasts over 1,800 slot machines, 80 table games and a recently opened Sportsbook, nearly 300 upscale guest rooms and suites complemented by a 20,000-square-foot convention center and ballroom that serve as a state-of-the-art venue for private and corporate events, weddings and entertainment. Guests can discover a variety of signature restaurant options, including Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen and the award-winning Bistecca by Il Mulino. This all-encompassing, full service

resort destination for outdoor enthusiasts and gaming enthusiasts alike features a Sports Illustrated-recognized lakefront 18-hole golf course; a 16,000-square foot spa, salon and exercise facility; luxury, indoor/outdoor pool; and a covered outdoor pavilion that hosts a summer concert series.

The Mount Airy Golf Club makes for a perfect stay and play opportunity that guests won’t soon forget. Because the course itself is on the grounds of a full-service resort, it means you have access to the perfect set of amenities at your disposal before and after your round.

“We have an incredible `classic` golf

course,” said Mount Airy PGA Professional Chris Zelenka, who is currently in his 11th year at Mount Airy and 41st year in the golf business. “It was designed after 1967 Sports Illustrated Magazine’s `Best 18 Holes in Golf’. So, each hole replicates a famous golf hole in America, from Augusta National, Merion, Baltusrol, and more. For instance, our finishing hole replicates Pebble Beach’s famous 18 th hole, a strong par-five.” Golf Course Architect Hal Purdy designed the course, which opened in 1980 and plays around 6,500 yards from the tips. There are well-manicured fairways, picturesque views and outstanding golf course conditions expected at private country clubs.

Looks aside, the 72.4/132 rated golf course is a true test of skill for every level golfer that decides to take on the challenge. Numerous ponds, streams, hazards and elevation changes make for a great test to your game.

The first hole, modeled after Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, is a demanding, 558-yard par five that calls for a

precise second shot layup close to a pond to afford a reasonable mid-iron into the green.

The third hole, modeled after Olympic Country Club in San Francisco, California, is a very tough, 388-yard par-four that has water along the right side of the fairway and a bunker on the right that must be avoided to set up a comfortable approach shot.

Hole number seven, modeled after Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, New Jersey, is another challenging par-five, measuring 565 yards from the tips. The tee shot must clear a small pond and the second shot needs to find a narrow fairway and avoid a line of trees on the right that stand ready to gobble up errant shots to set up a clear third shot to the green.

The ninth hole, modeled after Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, is a very demanding, long, 219-yard parthree that has a bunker in front and bunkers guarding the flanks of the green.

The 11 th hole, takes you back to Merion Golf Club and is a short, 337-yard par-four that big hitters can approach off the tee. Don’t look at the scorecard and think is a piece of cake. The player must avoid trees to the right and bunkers that are scattered

about. If he or she does that, then birdie is an opportunity here,

The 12 th hole, modeled after Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, is, quite naturally, a beautiful, 510-yard par-five where golfers can contemplate going for the green in two after a long tee shot. But he second shot demands a carry over wetlands and water, so the smarter play may be to lay up to the left side of the green and knock a wedge onto the putting surface.

The 16 th is patterned after Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This is another shorter, 360-yard par-four where the player must get as close to a pond as possible off the tee to set up a short iron into the green.

The 17 th hole, inspired by Quail Creek Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a pretty 123-yard-par three that is protected by sand traps. The green is long and narrow and not all that easy to find despite the short yardage from the teeing area.

The clubhouse at the course at Mount Airy has the panache of a private club with a full service bar and restaurant, locker rooms and shower facility, and a fully-stocked pro shop that carries many of golf’s major brands. After your round, you can lounge about and enjoy a cold beverage and have lunch on an outdoor patio that overlooks a pond and the casino.

There are several opportunities for golfers to experience this majestic course, from a casual round with friends to tournaments and special packages.

At the time of this article’s publication, many of Mount Airy Casino Resort’s amenities were temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, with the exception of the golf course, which is open and operating with safety measures in place. Employees have been busy cleaning the property from top to bottom and getting it ready for guests when Mount Airy Casino Resort is able to open again.

Guests can visit Mount Airy’s website to learn more about the hotel, spa and restaurants that they can enjoy upon reopening at a later date. For the latest updates, including social distancing rules and procedures for golf and reopening plans for the rest of the resort, please visit www.MountAiryCasino.com.