Pennsylvania

Improve Your Game on Historic Shawnee’s Premier Golf Course

Program No. 13053RJ
Develop your golf game alongside PGA instructors, enjoying daily practice, informative lessons, practical tips and discovering the history of this premier course.

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At a Glance

Play on the historic Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort's premier course — host site of the 1938 PGA Championship in which Paul Runyan defeated Sam Snead in the final. Graced with magnificent trees, picturesque mountains and a beautiful river, this course was A. W. Tillinghast’s original design, completed in 1911. The PGA Professionals at Shawnee’s Tillinghast Golf Academy introduce you to the great game of golf and the basics of play including history, etiquette and rules.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Nine holes of golf a day with carts provided. Rental clubs available with prior arrangement. Metal spikes not permitted. Golfers of all experience and ability levels welcome. Golfers will be placed in smaller groups based on experience or personal preference.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn golf techniques, etiquette and the rules and tips for practicing in a fun, informative series of lessons.
  • Take part in instruction and practice each morning, then play nine holes each afternoon. A bonus Master Class is a special treat!
  • Enjoy an exclusive private 30 minute lesson with one of our pros.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal and a live performance or event. An airport transfer is available at added cost.
Featured Expert
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Brian Bergstol
Brian Bergstol is the Class A PGA professional at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort; he leads the instructional program and is playing professional on staff. Brian marks 20 seasons as a Road Scholar instructor and has been the lead programmer for a decade. He is a graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, where he holds the individual and career scoring records. He has played professionally on various tours, and within the PGA for nearly two decades. Brian has amassed over 175 professional victories.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Brian Bergstol
Brian Bergstol View biography
Brian Bergstol is the Class A PGA professional at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort; he leads the instructional program and is playing professional on staff. Brian marks 20 seasons as a Road Scholar instructor and has been the lead programmer for a decade. He is a graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, where he holds the individual and career scoring records. He has played professionally on various tours, and within the PGA for nearly two decades. Brian has amassed over 175 professional victories.
Profile Image of Brandon Hendershot
Brandon Hendershot View biography
Brandon Hendershot is from and has spent most of his life in Bangor, Pennsylvania but has lived in the Shawnee/East Stroudsburg for the past few years. He has been playing golf for nearly 15 years and is currently enrolled in the PGA PGM apprentice program. Brandon has been teaching golf at Shawnee for the past three years.
Profile Image of Midge McClosky
Midge McClosky View biography
Midge McClosky is the cultural program director for the Shawnee Institute, executive director of the Shawnee Playhouse, and the artistic director of the Worthington Players. Before moving to Shawnee, Midge worked as a professional actress, singer, and dancer performing musical theatre in 49 of the 50 states. Her extensive credits cross over into film, television, commercials, voiceovers and live industrials. She and Chris, her husband of more than two decades, have two grown sons.
Profile Image of Kyle Adammonis
Kyle Adammonis View biography
Kyle Adammonis has recently joined the staff of the Shawnee after graduating Valedictorian from The Professional Golfers Career College in beautiful Hilton Head, S.C. He enjoys meeting new golfers and sharing the skills he's learned over his many years of golfing. His education also includes two years of advanced education in sports and business management. When not on the course, Kyle enjoys fishing, hiking, baseball and floor hockey.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5 B 3 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Reception, Welcome Dinner, Optional Movie Night.
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
D
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Activity note: Inn check-in from 4:30 p.m. Take golf clubs to the bag drop at the end of the circular main driveway. The golf shop will tag and store your bag all week. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Hotel Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. After you check in at the front desk and get settled into your room, join your fellow Road Scholars for a welcome reception to socialize until dinner begins. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, and evening entertainment. The program is designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced golfers. During golf instruction sessions, we will divide into smaller groups and rotate between a series of learning stations. We will then be divided further for more personalized instruction. Each participant will have a half-hour private lesson at some point during the week. We recommend that you bring your own set of clubs. If necessary, you can also rent a set by submitting a request in advance. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Tonight's 7:00 p.m. American Home Style dinner buffet offers a variety of selections including a vegetarian option and other healthy choices including fruits and vegetables from our own garden, a delightful dessert, plus coffee, iced water, water.

Evening: After dinner, continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, enjoy an entertaining Golf Movie selected by our pros and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Class, Golf Lessons, Nine Hole Practice, Local History
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
B,L,D
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Activity note: Stretching session led by a member of golfing staff. Walking 15-30 yards per hole from cart to green; primarily flat, manicured terrain. Golf carts will be used to carry equipment between holes.

Breakfast: In the Inn's River Room Restaurant.

Morning: We will gather with the Tillinghast Golf pros who will lead Orientation and introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and provide more details on our golfing program including an overview of the skills and techniques we will learn. Following the session, there will be an opportunity for Q&A. We’ll ride golf carts to the practice areas. During golf instruction sessions with our pros, we will divide into groups and rotate between a series of learning stations, focusing sequentially on full swing, short game, putting, and bunker play. We will then divide further for more personalized instructions. At some point during the week, each participant will have a half-hour private lesson with a golf pro and will be pulled from the station rotation for this learning experience. Shawnee’s golf course was the first designed by famed architect Albert Warren Tillinghast (1876-1942). It debuted in 1911, setting Tillinghast on a distinguished career, and has become one of the most prized golf courses in the northeast U.S.

Lunch: At the Inn.

Afternoon: Under the supervision of our pros, we’ll play nine holes on Shawnee’s 27-hole championship golf course, working on the skills we learned during the morning instruction. Those who wish to continue playing independently for the rest of the afternoon are welcome to do so at no additional cost.

Dinner: At the Inn.

Evening: We will gather for a historical presentation in Shawnee's own museum. This lecture features a fascinating introduction to the rich history of our area of our area presented by a local historian.

DAY
3
Golf Lessons, Master Class, Play Golf, Concert
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
B,L,D
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Activity note: Stretching session led by a member of golfing staff. Walking 15-30 yards per hole from cart to green; primarily flat, manicured terrain. Golf carts will be used to carry equipment between holes.

Breakfast: At the Inn.

Morning: We’ll continue our small group instruction with the Tillinghast professionals. The Shawnee golf course was built by Charles Campbell Worthington and completed in 1910. In 1912, Worthington invited professional golfers from around the world to compete on his course, which led to the formation of the Professional Golfers Association.

Lunch: At the Inn.

Afternoon: We will learn from our best golf instructors in a special Master Class. They will demonstrate a variety of drives and approaches using all the skills we have been taught. We’ll have an opportunity to play 9 holes independently following the Master Class with Brian Bergstol.

Dinner: At the Inn. We will enjoy a farm-to-table meal presented by our Executive Chef featuring famous Pennsylvania dishes.

Evening: The Shawnee Institute concert series, open to the public, presents a variety of performing groups throughout the year. In tonight’s concert, we’ll hear local musicians. This is a great opportunity for community engagement with audience members and performers. Please note that an optional donation basket is passed for the performers.

DAY
4
Lessons, Free Time, Putting Contest, ShawneeCraft Brewery
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
B,D
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Activity note: Stretching session led by a member of golfing staff. Walking 15-30 yards per hole from cart to green; primarily flat, manicured terrain. Golf carts will be used to carry equipment between holes. Keep your putter and a ball after the morning instruction to participate in the putting contest tonight.

Breakfast: At the Inn.

Morning: We’ll continue our small group instruction with the Tillinghast professionals. An early fixture on the PGA tour for more than 20 years from 1916 to 1937, Charles Campbell Worthington’s course hosted the PGA Championship in 1938.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Playing golf on our course during free time today is available for a fee. Road Scholar participants will have a discounted rate. Please inquire with the Group Leader if interested.

Dinner: Pizza Party at the ShawneeCraft Brewery

Evening: After dinner, we will continue our evening at the ShawneeCraft Brewery to get a sneak peak behind the scenes at our locally owned brewery. A tasting will be included for those who are interested.

DAY
5
Golf Lessons, 9hole Practice, Putting Contest, Final Dinner.
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
B,L,D
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Activity note: Stretching session led by a member of the golfing staff. Walking 15-30 yards per hole from cart to green; primarily flat, manicured terrain. Golf carts will be used to carry equipment between holes.

Breakfast: At the Inn.

Morning: We’ll continue our small group instruction with the Tillinghast professionals. Our golf course was designed by famed architect Albert Warren Tillinghast, for whom the Golf Academy is named. Tillinghast designed more than 250 golf courses and was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame in 2014.

Lunch: At the Inn.

Afternoon: Putting all of our new skills together, we’ll play nine holes on Shawnee’s 27-hole championship golf course. Those who wish to continue playing independently for the rest of the afternoon are welcome to do so. At 5 pm, everyone will have an opportunity to compete in the putting contest. It will provide surprises with challenging twists and turns to test our new and improved putting skills. Once our champion prevails, we will head in for dinner.

Dinner: At the Inn. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. This is the final organized event for the program.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Shawnee on Delaware, PA
B

Activity note: Inn check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the Inn. This concludes our program. Be sure to collect your golf bags from the pro shop before departure.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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