Stone Hedge GC
Tunkhannock, PA (about 15 miles from Scranton)
1992, Jim Blaukovitch (Bella Vista)
Blue 6644, 71.9, 124, 71
White 6201, 69.9, 123, 71
Directions: From Scranton, take I-81 N, to Clark Summit exit (#58) to Route 6/11 W, in Factoryville turn right onto Rte 6, go 4 mi to Saddle Lake Rd (1 mile past the "Stone Hedge" billboard) and make a left, drive 2 mi up the hill to the course on left.
'07 Fees: $49 Wknd Ride, $40 after Noon, $25 after 15:00
$39 Wkdy Ride, $29 Wkdy Ride after Noon
Per my buddy Scott, this is a great course he grew up on, and a great value. Golf Digest 4 stars. "The area's best course" per the Scranton Times.
Golf.com Review: This course has enough variety of terrain to challenge the most advanced golfer. The front 9 is somewhat open, but there are many scattered trees that can alter your shots, and the narrow back 9 is thickly tree lined. All the tee boxes are elevated, and the large greens are undulating and fast. Local golfers claim that these greens are the best in the entire county.
The twin cities of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton (15 miles away) are the nearest semblances of civilization. Yes, Scranton is the town where NBC's The Office is set.
Best Bar Nearby: Office fans will head straight for Poor Richard's Pub. The Philly Inquirer says go for microbrews at Lion Brewery (Wilkes-Barre, www.lionsbrewery.com). Or hit the local outpost of the regional Kildare's Irish Pub chain, a Disney-esque version of the Irish pub. If it's more of a waterfront tiki bar kinda day, head for Cooper's Seafood Waterfront and Cabana Tiki Bar (304 Kennedy Blvd, Pittston, www.coopers-seafood.com).
Where To Grub: For breakfast, the Philly Inquirer says go to the Glider Diner (890 Providence, Scranton, www.gliderdiner.com). For lunch, the Inquirer digs Coney Island Lunch (510 Lackawanna Ace, Scranton, www.texas-weiner.com) for a 1950's time warp so complete it extends to the menu prices for their chili-covered hotdogs ($1.95). Or check out one of the many pizzerias in Scranton's Old Forge neighborhood, known (hopefully somewhat fecitiously) as the "Pizza Capital Of The World" (I would think Brooklyn NY would have something to say about that), although "Pizza Capital Of The Poconos" would certainly be a true statement. The Inquirer likes the pie at Revello's Cafe (502 S Main), or 10Best.com gives a nod to Alfredo's Pizza Cafe (1040 S Washington). For dinner, go for authentic Thai at Thai Rak Thai (349 Adams Ave, www.thairakthai.com). Bring your own bottle, and order the beef salad and spicy stir fry. After a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Yankees game in nearby Moscow, PA, try the Old Brooke Inn (State Hwy 307) for Continental and Italian fare. 10Best.com ranks Old Brooke as the top restaurant in the area, a "diamond in the rough" with "steaks that are better than Ruth Chris at half the price." For a more Brazilian steak experience, dine at Ipanema Grill, where flavorful meat is carved from skewers tableside, and they serve great Sangria. For wings, a foodie blog I found recommended The Patch in Dunmore with 10 different sauces on the menu; Mickey Gannon's--also a fave of Ralph's Roadmap of Wings--but avoid Tuesday wing night when the quality suffers from too much volume; The Loading Dock also in Dunmore; The Donkey Cafe in North Scranton; The Glass Onion in East Scranton; or The Clubhouse on the Upper South Side.
Where To Crash: Scranton was the first and foremost producer of rail in the U.S., known as the Electric City because it operated the nation's first electric trolley system. Much of the city's rail legacy remains. Stay at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, converted from Scranton's original majestic 1908 train station with French Renaissance architecture, and complete with a classic train clock in the marble-floored lobby with barrel-vaulted stained-glass ceilings. The Inquirer also likes the Hilton Scraton & Conference Center (100 Adams, www.hilton.com).
Further Distractions: Fans of The Office can take The Office Fan Tour of Scranton, which run once a month on a Saturday (www.theofficeconvention.com/newmail/). Maxim digs Mountain Streams Mini Golf at the Lahey Family Fun Park in Scranton. This par-51 course trades typical wacky mini-golf for some of the most challenging putts ever. Carved out of PA's Endless Mountains, it's got almost 35 feet of elevation changes, a huge waterfall, and fast-flowing streams. The only talking clown here will be you. Catch minor league sports with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Yankees (www.wbsyankees.com) or the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (www.wbspenguins.com). Then check out Steamtown, a nation historic monument dedicated to steam engines.