Although Whitetail’s winter season is well underway, their eyes are set on an activity that requires no snow: golf. On December 23, Whitetail announced its plans to develop a public 18-hole championship golf course and 3-hole teaching school. This development, which will include conference and residential facilities, is targeted for completion by late spring, 2000.

“Our skiing and mountain bike complex has been very successful and the addition of the golf course, school and conference center makes Whitetail truly a year-round attraction and destination,” said Stephen K. Rice, Whitetail’s president.

The project is being co-developed by Whitetail and the Dauphin County General Authority, an instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania created in 1984 to undertake projects which benefit people in the region by increasing commerce, health, safety and prosperity.

“Participating with Whitetail Resort in developing the new golf course is an important recreational project for the region because it adds an important attraction to the area for both residents and visitors,” said Sidney A. Reese, executive director of the Dauphin County General Authority.

The Dauphin County General Authority, which currently owns two golf courses in Pennsylvania, will own and finance the golf course and conference facilities, while Whitetail will retain ownership of residential development and serve as a long-term manager of the golf course, teaching school and conference facilities. The project is expected to cost $10 million, and will require the acquisition of a permit. Whitetail is considering building condominiums, townhomes, hotel rooms in the conference center and single family homes in support of the development. Whitetail has already built a slopeside townhome development.

The course will be designed by Richard G. Robbins and Brian Lussier of Robbins & Associates International, a firm based out of Cary, North Carolina.

“Whitetail is truly blessed with the environmental variety that makes the course visually exciting and will give players a constantly changing experience,” said Robbins. “We will be keeping a very sensitive balance that makes the course a visual centerpiece for future residential areas and golfers can be sure there will be no ‘gun barrel’ fairways framed by houses or townhomes,” he added.

Mountain bikers at the Whitetail Resort have already appreciated Whitetail’s varying terrain, including mountain views, undulating hills, lakes, wetlands and wooded areas. Robbins plans to integrate this terrain into the golf course, minimizing forced carries.

The course will measure approximately 5,800 yards from the red tees; 6,200 yards from the white tees; 6,500 yards from the blue tees; and 6,970 yards from the black tees.

Groundbreaking is slated for next summer, with the bulk of development occurring in 1999.