WAYNESBORO – Following an announcement by South Mountain Golf Course/Dick George, Manager in Quincy Township that it will not reopen for the 2026 golf season after losing its lease, Reps. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) and Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) and Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin/Adams) issued a joint statement expressing disappointment and opposition.
State Forester Seth Cassell notified George in February the lease would not be renewed. At the time, Cassell said the property, located near Mont Alto in Michaux National Forest could be better used for a visitor center, trails, wildlife and other public amenities.
Many local residents have opposed the shutdown, and area borough officials have passed resolutions in opposition as well. DCNR officials said they explored several other locations for expansion of services to the growing number of Michaux visitors and found the course to be the best location.
A citizen opposition group has information posted at https://www.smgolfpa.com/save-smgc.html. Many of the opponents hope opposition will lead DCNR and/or Shapiro to change their minds.
“We are extremely disappointed in the outcome of the situation with South Mountain Golf Course despite our efforts to keep the cherished course open,” the three legislators said. “The long and short of it is Gov. Josh Shapiro killed a business when he didn’t direct DCNR to renew the state’s lease with South Mountain Golf Course. His inaction cost our community jobs at the course, not to mention the untold lost revenue at other area businesses.
“For 60 years, South Mountain has been part of our community and offered golfers and duffers alike an opportunity to play a game they love and improve their swings. South Mountain was our local patch of well-manicured grass and greens where memories were made.
“It played host to charity outings, events and leagues and was a place to get in a quick nine holes. South Mountain not only helped our local economy; it also was a steady stream of lease and tax revenue for the state…. It is beyond us why DCNR should turn away revenue to spend millions of dollars on a visitors’ center that is likely years, if not decades, away from becoming reality.
“A golf course is more than just a place where folks go to play a frustrating game. It is home to nature, a place where wildlife roams freely while offering golfers access to open space. At a time when golf courses in south central Pennsylvania are being paved over by warehouses and data centers, Shapiro could have saved this one course. He blew it.”
A DCNR spokesman said golf course operators and other stakeholders were given opportunities for input before the decision about the lease was made.
On the news of the closure, House Republican Leader PA State Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton), who at one time represented a portion of Franklin County, added:
“Family-owned small businesses like South Mountain Golf Course are the job creators and economic drivers of many communities across Pennsylvania. These are the kind of Pennsylvania businesses we should be supporting and promoting instead of requiring them to close.”
