Pens cheer on Cranberry golfers
CRANBERRY TWP — As they teed off on Hole 6 at the Cranberry Highlands Golf Course earlier this week, golfers may have been surprised to hear cheering and yelling from an area near the pin.
They were probably even more surprised when they found out that noise was coming from the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions of the National Hockey League.
A group of Pittsburgh Penguins players, fresh off a playoff defeat to the Washington Capitals, took to the greens Wednesday after clearing out their lockers. After playing a round, many of them sat near the par 3 hole and, according Shawn McCall, a club professional, served as a cheering section for other golfers.
McCall took to social media to share the encounter.
“They even took turns tending the pin once people were on the green,” he wrote. “Nicest group of guys ever. ... All of this was totally unprovoked and all their idea. ... Growing the game of golf is easy when you have people like this in your city.”
On Friday, McCall said the group had kept to themselves while they played before turning into fans. He said it caught those playing behind them off-guard, though the Penguins took photographs and talked with those who passed through.
“(Other golfers) had no idea what was going on until they got on the green,” McCall said.
He added the players seemed to be enjoying the day.
“They were just unwinding and having a good time,” he said. “They haven't had an off day in three years.”
