GOLF Magazine...

EXPERIENCE PENNSYLVANIA ON AND OFF THE LINKS

If you’re looking for golfing independence, Pennsylvania is perfect on and off the links. The land of the Liberty Bell is also the location for some great golf.

With more than 500 public and private golf courses, Pennsylvania offers traveling golfers a wide variety of courses, golf resorts, and things to do off the links. It’s as easy as going online to a wide variety of resources or picking up the phone and talking to state experts.

Pennsylvania's travel and tourism website, www.ExperiencePA.com, now lists more than 90 golf-related getaway packages. By clicking on the ‘Packages & Discounts’ link on the site, users can click on golf, the region they plan on visiting, and the dates of their visit--they’ll then find plenty golf packages available.

In addition to the package information, www.PAFairways.com, is a comprehensive mini-site that is part of the ExperiencePA.com network, listing all of Pennsylvania's public golf courses and much more. Users can search for a particular course by name or select by region and price. Once golfers select a course on the screen, a new window pops up with information like greens fees, course ratings, directions, and more.

"ExperiencePA.com and the mini-site PAFairways.com provides up-to-date information on Pennsylvania's impressive courses, enabling golfers to spend more time enjoying the game and less time planning their trip," says Fritz Smith, Pennsylvania's Deputy Secretary of Tourism, Film and Economic Development Marketing. "Our websites, showcasing our world-class courses, resorts, and regional attractions, are invaluable resources for golfers and visitors alike."

Two other organizations that help organize golf vacations in the Keystone State are Play & Stay in PA and Capital Region Golf. Play & Stay in PA, in conjunction with Capital Region Golf, offers the Pennsylvania Golf Package Planner.

The comprehensive planning guide lists golf courses by state tourism region and by county. The guide makes it easy to schedule golf outings and family vacations while visiting Pennsylvania's eight regions. To order a guide ($3.95 for shipping and handling) visit www.playandstayinpa.com or call (412) 653-9232.

Golfers visiting Central Pennsylvania can take advantage of the Capital Region Golf's comprehensive website, www.capitalregiongolf.com. This online tool allows golfers to set up tee times and hotel reservations for the perfect golf weekend. Golfers can also build their own package, check out the latest deals, and find other activities to enjoy before their trip. For more information on Capital Region Golf call (800) 942-2444.

Off the fairways, Pennsylvania is a fantastic destination for year-round travel. Begin planning your Pennsylvania getaway by calling (800) VISIT-PA or visiting www.ExperiencePA.com to order a free copy of the Pennsylvania Travel Planner.

Visit the web site often for up-to-date information on events, activities and attractions. Showcasing nature and outdoors, arts and entertainment, historic places, accommodations and dining, and a kids' section, www.ExperiencePA.com offers travel packages, discounts and group travel information. In addition, the website boasts a unique collection of mini-sites dedicated to the Commonwealth's diverse attractions including heritage regions, shopping, extreme sports, amusement parks, fall and winter, scenic Route 6, golf, the Civil War, PA haunts, hunting and fishing, railways, and Punxsutawney Phil. The site also houses the ‘PA Treasure Chest’ which highlights information on attractions and destinations that Pennsylvanians have been compiled as a resource for potential visitors.

For more information, call (800) VISIT-PA, complete the Reader Service Page, or link to their various websites through www.golfmagazinetravel.com.