Shawnee Inn

My first recollections of Shawnee Inn were the 1950’s CBS radio (and later television) broadcasts from there. Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, a professional chorus, presented a live music variety show from the Pocono Mountain resort. Waring purchased Shawnee Inn in 1943 and used his broadcasts to help promote it. In addition to his music career and resort management, Waring was inventor of the Waring Blender, still a fixture in many bars, restaurants, and home kitchens.

This year Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort celebrates its 100th anniversary. A full schedule of centennial events are planned. Opened in 1911, it has seen many changes, but it has retained all its charm and beauty throughout the decades. Located on the banks of the Delaware River within easy reach of both New York City and Philadelphia it has been a favorite vacation

destination for thousands over the generations.

In the early years of the last century both the automobile and golf were both in their infancy.C.C. Worthington, a wealthy engineer and inventor, loved the Delaware River and the pristine natural beauty along its banks. He purchased a large parcel of land boarding the river and built a vacation home. An avid golfer, he established the Shawnee Country Club, a nine hole course (the first to be designed by famed golfer A. W. Tillinghast) nearby where he and his friends could play. In 1910, Worthington decided to build an inn to accommodate vacationing guests and a year later the Buckwood Inn opened. Fred Waring renamed it Shawnee Inn after he purchased the property. Originally it was just a summer resort, but later, with the growing popularity of winter sports, the Inn became a year round operation.

There are now three golf courses at Shawnee.The original nine hole, now called the Approach Course, is lighted for night golfing. There are also two 18 hole courses located on an island in the middle of the Delaware River which are accessed by a wooden bridge. Interestingly, the bridge is removed doing the winter, when the river sometimes freezes and the course is closed, to prevent damage. The Inn offers golf lessons at its Golf Academy and there is a driving range and, in front of the main entrance to the Inn, a practice putting green.

Worthington tried using a flock of sheep tokeep his fairways and greens trim, but the experiment failed. He solved the problem by inventing the first golf course mowing machine.

Worthington was a friend of many of the top golfers of the day and was instrumental in helping arrange a meeting in 1916 at which the Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) was founded. Robert Wood, then superintendent at the Shawnee Country Club, was elected first president of the PGA and served until 1919.

In 1938, Shawnee Inn hosted a PGA championship tournament. Over the decades Shawnee has welcomed manygolf celebrities such as Sam Snead (once golf pro at Shawnee) and Arnold Palmer. Also, many popular entertainment icons including Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope have golfed here. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed a round or two at Shawnee.

Today, Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort offers a great deal more. There is fine dining at the beautiful River Room where entrees include featured fish of the day, pork spare ribs, and grilled free-range chicken. The River Room Piano Bar & Lounge is another popular guest amenity. The Inn’s Gem & Keystone Brewpub offers delicious food and it’s own ShawneeCraft micro-brew beers and ales. Brewed at the resort they are “True to Nature and True to the Craft.” Arnold Palmer and Jackie Gleason

The name ShawneeCraft is also given an exclusive line of craftsmen style wooden furniture the Inn has developed. Handcrafted by Amish artisans, the furniture is on sale at the Shawnee Gallery or by mail or internet. The Inn’s Gallery also features a wide selection of creations by area artists and craftsmen. The Spa at Shawnee Inn is one of the finest in the Pocono Mountains offering a full range of treatments for relaxation and restoration.

The Shawnee Playhouse, located adjacent to the Inn, offers outstanding professional theater productions and musicals throughout the year. For a 2011 program schedule view their website at www.theshawneeplayhouse.comDuring the winter months guests at the Innare only minutes away from Shawnee Mountain ski area. With 23 slopes and trails, plus two terrain parks, and a snowtubing park, it has lots to offer. Its longest trail is 5,100 feet and highest vertical drop 700 feet. Learn more at www. shawneemt.com

The Delaware River offers a full range of recreational activities for guests at the Inn.

Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, plus rafting and tubing are all possibilities. Shawnee River Adventures an outfitter located near the Inn can provide for all your needs. Swimming is available at a large outdoor pool (in season) and year-round at an indoor pool next to the Inn’s fitness center.

A full schedule of events are planned for the centennial year and can be viewed on line.

Learn more about the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort at www.shawneeinn.com and Pocono Mountain attractions at www.800poconos.com

Shawnee Ale

Jim Weaver

GolfWiz Blog

Senior Travel Writer