HARRISBURG – It’s back to the drawing board for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources after plans have been made to extend another 10-year contract for the South Mountain Golf Course in Quincy Township.
Wesley Robinson, press secretary for DCNR, said the department has been conducting a multi-year effort to select a location for a new visitor center to meet the growing demand for outdoor recreation options in the Michaux State Forest. As part of this process, DCNR and the Shapiro administration have engaged local communities to determine the best possible site.
After listening closely to community feedback, DCNR and the Shapiro administration have decided not to move forward with a visitor center on the South Mountain site, Robinson said. As a result, DCNR plans to extend South Mountain Golf Course’s existing lease for 10 years while exploring alternative options to deliver the greatest benefit for the local community and expand access to the Michaux State Forest for the millions of Pennsylvanians seeking opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
The South Mountain course will reopen for the 2026 season with the lease renewal with the George family, which owns the course. The renewal comes after a significant effort from local residents, golfers and elected officials who fought to keep the community asset from closing.
State Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) hailed the decision as a major victory for his constituents.
“Receiving the call that the course has been saved was truly a highlight of my time serving the people of southern Franklin County,” Reichard said. “This was what I was elected to do: To represent and fight for the people of the district, and I’m never going to stop doing that.”
Reichard noted that the grassroots efforts to save the course were a comprehensive team effort. He highlighted the community’s swift action when news spread that DCNR had plans to close the course.
Reichard also extended credit to the governor saying, “Gov. Josh Shapiro also deserves credit for righting this wrong with DCNR. I am grateful he recognized that forcing a small business to close was not in the best interest of our community and the state.
“The community rallied around the Georges and their beloved links when word that DCNR had plans to close the course spread. So many people passed around and signed petitions to keep the course open,” Reichard said, adding that Franklin County commissioners and local elected officials stood firmly in support of preserving the course.
