×

Burgi’s returns to fill par 3 void it left

It’s great to see an “old friend” come back to life.

Burgi’s Back Nine (formally Greenwood Golf) reopened last month after being closed for business — and becoming somewhat overgrown — during the course of last year.

It’s nice to see that Burgmeier ownership has committed to reopening this long-time golfing institution.

Over the years, many aspiring, local golfers have taken their first swings at this little par-3 course, and when the course closed last year, it left a definite void.

Just a few years ago, there were several par-3/beginner courses in our area. In addition to Burgi’s, the list included Old Town Run, Tipton Par-3 and Robin’s Ridge.

However, when Burgi’s closed last year, area residents were forced to travel as far as Tussey Mountain Resort in Boalsburg to enjoy a casual round of par-3 golf.

Golf is such a difficult game to learn, and courses like Burgi’s offered not only an enjoyable golfing experience but also the opportunity to introduce the game to newcomers.

Kudos to everyone involved in getting Burgi’s Back Nine back in shape and open for play.

Bedford Springs

The grand opening for Omni Resorts Bedford Springs’ new golf clubhouse is scheduled for next Friday, June 9.

Construction on the new facility began last November and finished just a few weeks ago. Head pro Ron Leporati and his staff were able to relocate into their new surroundings just last week.

Festivities for next week’s grand opening include a putting clinic, long-drive contest and live musical entertainment. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m.

I had the opportunity to tour the facility when it was nearing completion in early April and found it to be very, very impressive, to say the least.

It will be a worthy addition to the historic Donald Ross-designed golf course, which was named Pennsylvania’s No. 1-ranked resort course following an extensive renovation in 2007.

Gene Pruonto

There was a bit of sad news in the local golf community last week with the passing of Gene Pruonto.

Pruonto was a hard-working, local businessman who, along with his wife Joyce, created several successful business enterprises during his lifetime.

One of these was Pine Ridge Golf Course, located just west of Duncansville.

In the late 1960s, Pruonto had set his sights on building a golf course. By the mid-70s, despite virtually no experience in golf course construction, the strong-willed Altoona native opened his own, nine-hole, par-30 course.

The first round of golf I ever played was at Pine Ridge in 1977.

I can still vividly remember being an excited 13-year-old kid playing the 132-yard first hole. After hitting my first two shots, I was still 20 yards from the green. My third shot turned out to be an unorthodox, 3-iron pitch-shot that happened to collide with the pin for a very, very unlikely score of 3.

The rest of my round involved scores that were typically in the double-digits, but I was hooked. I spent the next few summers there learning the game until the course finally shut down.

The industrious Pruonto wasn’t discouraged, though.

He and his family were off to a variety of other business interests, but not before leaving behind a treasure of golf memories for many local golfers who enjoyed golfing, and learning to golf, at Pine Ridge.

Tiger Woods

It’s difficult to add anything to the Tiger Woods’ narrative that has occurred during the past week.

After Woods’ meteoric rise, and seemingly charmed life during his first 30 years, the past decade has certainly gone in the opposite direction.

A variety physical issues and personal indiscretions seem to have come to a crescendo for Woods with his life and career now at a crossroads.

Here’s hoping that — golf aside — Woods does what is necessary to put his life back in order.

Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at gltr777@atlanticbb.net.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today