YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – If the handful of unseasonably warm days in March and moderate temperatures in April are any indication, the region’s golf courses should see plenty of business this year.
“We were packed,” says Michael Ferranti, general manager at The Links at Firestone Farms in Columbiana and Reserve Run Golf Course in Beaver Township. Last month, the Mahoning and Shenango valleys experienced an entire week of mild temperatures – at one point nudging close to 80 degrees – and little rain.
The great weather unleashed opportunities for golfers across the region to get into the swing of the game before the season kicks in, Ferranti says, a good sign that people of all skill levels are ready to come out and play. “All of our tee times were sold out,” he says.
Ferranti says it’s difficult to gauge the weather this time of year, since March often comes with a volatile mix of rain, snow, cold, ice, sunshine and warmth. And April can be cool and wet. When the weather does turn agreeable, however, the course must be ready for players. “We forecast the best we can from an operational standpoint,” he says. More consistent schedules begin as April sets in, while play returns to more ad hoc rounds in October or November, weather depending.
“Now that we’re in April, we’re watching it more closely,” he says.
The offseason allows for routine course maintenance, as well as other projects in preparation for the spring and summer seasons, Ferranti says. This year, The Links at Firestone has replaced 20 sand traps – the first of a major overhaul of all the course bunkers – upgraded some tee locations and performed drainage improvements. At Reserve Run, additional landscaping and drainage projects were completed during the winter months, he says.
There are still challenges, Ferranti says, noting the rising costs of chemicals, fertilizers, equipment and other variables that can take their toll on budgets. Pre-bookings for golf events and groups at both courses are strong, Ferranti says. “We get a lot of consistent groups,” he says. “We’ve already hit our goal for this year, so I’m very pleased.” Generally, the courses begin reserving new business for the coming year in October.
What Players Want
Ferranti says golfers today are likely to select courses based on their playability, condition and other amenities. “The younger crowd is looking for new gadgets,” he says. These include golf carts equipped with smart phone compatibility, music, coolers and digital rangefinders that can judge the distance from your ball’s lie to the pin, as well as identify any hazards beyond the line of sight.
“We have rangefinders in carts at The Links, but not at Reserve Run,” he says. That’s because The Links at Firestone is a much longer course and generally suited for more experienced players, and it’s more difficult to gauge distance and topography there. “It’s a championship-style layout,” he says.
Reserve Run, on the other hand, appeals to a broader range of players. “Reserve has plenty of length, but it’s based on the golfer’s experience and having fun,” he says. “Golfers like the reachability, layout – it’s built for the play and style that fits your game. It doesn’t beat you up.”
Overall participation in the sport is growing, according to the most recent data.
According to the National Golf Foundation, 45 million Americans over the age of 6 played some form of golf – either on a course, driving range or simulator – in 2023, a record number. Of that figure, 3.4 million were described as beginners, also a new record for that segment. More women are taking up the sport as well, data show. In 2023, 37% of the 3.5 million juniors playing on a golf course were female, compared to 15% in 2000. Also, more than 25% of juniors taking to the course in 2023 were non-Caucasian versus 6% 20 years ago.
A Destination for Golf
Indeed, northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania have become prime destination spots for golf, given the abundance of courses and their relative affordability.
“People would be very surprised as to how many people come to this area for tourism and travel,” says Bill Rabel, general manager of Penn Ohio Golf Trail, an organization that markets and arranges golf packages for more than 80 golf courses in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, along with lodging.
Penn Ohio was formed in 2007 to market a handful of courses in the Mahoning Valley, along with overnight accommodations at Julia’s Bed & Breakfast in Hubbard, next to Pine Lakes Golf Course. The idea caught on, and today the venture attracts groups from across the world to play courses in the region because of their quality and affordability.
“We don’t often think of this area as a destination spot, but the golf courses are amazing across the board and they’re rather inexpensive,” he says. “This year, we have a group from Australia staying in Hubbard,” he says.
The stay and play packages feature courses – including 15 private clubs – mostly found within a 90-mile radius of the Mahoning Valley. Locally, the golf packages include courses such as Pine Lakes, the Youngstown Country Club, Knoll Run, Mill Creek, Reserve Run, The Links at Firestone, and Avalon’s three clubs in Howland, Vienna and Sharon, Pa.
New to the Golf Trail this year is Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, says Rich Sedoris, marketing coordinator for CTW Development Corp., which operates the course at the Westford Lifestyle Community. “In the years past, we used to run it internally,” he says. Teaming up with Penn Ohio Golf Trail made sense because of the course, and hotels such as the Courtyard Marriott, and the Marriott TownePlace and Springhill extended stay lodgings at Westford that are walking distance from the club.
“We’ve already opened the course,” he says. “We’ve got the greatest bunch of regulars that year after year golf on the course. As the weather gets better, our tee times are constantly booked.”
Other events such as leagues and charitable golf outings fill out the course’s schedule, he says.
Another addition this year is the course’s Spark nine-hole social golf league on Tuesdays. “The introduction rate for the first day of play is just $9,” he says. After that the fees revert to the regular nine-hole rates.
A strong golf business also translates into more activity at the Kennsington Grille, a restaurant and tavern located at Westford, overlooking the course. This season, Sedoris says the Grille plans to host live music twice a week – Wednesdays and Sundays – on the patio.
“It’s open to the public, as is the golf course,” Sedoris says. “Anyone can come in and just relax.”
Pictured at top: Michael Ferranti, PGA member and general manager of Reserve Run Golf Course and The Links at Firestone Farms, says the courses saw strong play in March.