Golf card free, beneficial
ZELIENOPLE — Butler County has always been proud of its golf courses.
And the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau is once again promoting that pride.
The bureau is offering a free “golf card” to interested golfers again this season, using a Fabulous Foursome theme in 2015.
“We’ve been offering this card for eight to 10 years now,” bureau president Jack Cohen said. “Each year, we go to all of the golf courses and give them the opportunity to be part of it.”
In past years, the golf card has offered discounted playing rates to individuals. This year, that discount is being offered to foursomes to play a round together.
Foursomes using the card will receive a significantly discounted rate to play that day.
“It promotes family play, fellowship ... This card encourages young kids to learn the game through their parents,” Cohen said.
Participating courses this year are Aubrey’s Dubbs Dred, Conley’s Resort, Hiland, Lake Arthur, Oakview, Strawberry Ridge and Suncrest.
The card can be downloaded by visiting www.visitbutlercounty.com or by visiting the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 310 E. Grandview Street in Zelienople. Call 724-234-4619 for more information.
The card may only be acquired through the website or by picking one up in person at the bureau.
“The popularity of this card grows every year,” Cohen said. “We’ve given out 3,000 cards already and I’m sure we’re not done.”
This card is not only distributed in Butler County. Cohen said the bureau has taken golf cards and made them available at golf shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Toronto, Ontario.
Butler County continues to be considered a golf haven by surrounding regions.
“It’s incredible how many people come here for our golf courses,” Cohen said. “But, really, it’s not surprising. The rates are good and there’s plenty of diversity in these courses.
“Wayne Conley (of Conley’s Resort) receives plenty of business that way and a lot of those folks start playing early.”
Cohen pointed out that golfers from Canada began playing in the county in March.
“Many of us around here don’t pick up our clubs until May,” Cohen said.
Last year, golfers who played every course through use of the card were eligible to enter a prize drawing as a reward. One person won a 55-inch television, another a trip for four to play a round of golf in Orlando, Fla.
“We make it easy to gain access to the card and there’s a different value to it each year,” Cohen said. “We’re confident that if we can get people to play golf around here for the first time, they will want to come back.”
