August 3, 2009

ERIE, PA — Whispering Woods is situated 3 miles southwest of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. It is a lush golf course that continues to boast great reviews. The brand new public course was opened in 2007.

Designed by the late John Exley (the same designer of the Upper Course at the Peek'n Peak Resort), Whispering Woods shares some of the same characteristics: large elevation changes, gullies, short drivable par fours with significant risk, and ample use of areas that exact an incredible penalty. It's tough to characterize this style of golf course design: it's not early American, it's not parkland, it's not "linky," and it's not manufactured/cookie-cutter. A fair amount of dirt was moved in creating Whispering Woods, but given the significant changes in elevation, the course still feels more set upon the land rather than shaped or bulldozed into being.

Whispering Woods presents a tale of two nines, woven together with a common thread. The first nine holes wanders through the housing development, and though the houses never come into play, they're visible from the fairways, tees, and greens. The closest the houses get to the course are the right side of the seventh hole and near the tee on the eighth. The back nine, in contrast, is completely secluded. An older house beyond the trees behind 11th tee is the only house you'll spot on the back nine, and unlike the front, you can peer through trees separating the holes to see other golfers.

Kyle Marti, Jon Marti, Greg Long, and Dave Osborne scouted the golf course in May 2009.

"The Carl Spackler Open has seen great character venues with Thunder Hill, Grande, Poplar Grove, and Mountain Valley," says senior member Kyle Marti. "Thunder Hill especially has a place in my heart. Whispering Woods is a very difficult golf course with trouble all over the place. It would certaintly give the edge to participants who can control their ball."

The city of Erie includes plenty of lodging, a very large lake, and entertainment. The transportation service includes an outdoor trolley to and from nightly waterfront entertainment.

An Erie selection would ensure a northern climate and cooler temperatures. Whispering Woods has joined the 2010-2013 venue lists.

The 2010 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled to be played April 15-19 or June 9-12. Whispering Woods in Erie, PA has joined South Padre Island Golf in Laguna Vista, TX as venue options. A decision on venue is expected on November 1, 2009.