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...The trees were overgrown (as was the poison ivy), several
holes intersected each other (a dangerous prospect for beginners) and the
fairways were covered in dandelions.
''It was a fixer-upper, to say the least,'' says Jeff
Vietmeier.
Six years later, Sweet Water Golf Course has been tightened
and trimmed into a hidden little gem. Tucked off Rte. 663, between Quakertown
and Pennsburg, the nine-hole course is neither fancy nor extreme.
But its unique programs (like etiquette classes) and
energetic staff make Sweet Water a fine stop for beginning players — an
underrepresented demographic in a market dominated by $400 drivers and mandatory
carts. Getting there, however, has required some effort.
The former Pennsburg Golf Centre was an unkempt place with 14
holes (several of which crossed paths), patchy greens and a no-kids policy. Upon
touring the place with his father-in-law, who financed the mission, Jeff said,
''You gotta be kidding.''
But Jeff Vietmeier and his wife Sharon persisted in pursuing
Jeff's dream of owning a golf course. With help from Sharon's parents, the
couple purchased the Pennsburg Golf Centre in June 1999, then set about
renovating the place.
Jeff, who graduated from Penn State's turf management program
and interned at Augusta National, streamlined the course's bewildering layout,
removing six greens and building a new one. He also tapped an artesian well
(from which the course got its name) to build a second pond for irrigation and
aesthetic purposes.
He also reseeded the fairways, extended several greens, added
tee boxes for senior and junior players and built a driving range. Meanwhile,
Sharon Vietmeier developed the business plan.
Jeff and Sharon met cute (she hit his golf ball by accident)
at the University of Maryland Golf Course, where Jeff was working at the time. A
grade-school teacher in Maryland, Sharon quit her job to join Jeff and move
closer to her parents, who live in Milford, N.J.
Sharon, who graduated from DeSales University, began
developing a series of leagues and youth and beginner programs that have become
the calling card of Sweet Water.
Among the more popular are the ''7 & 8 Are Great'' youth
classes and the ladies league. In seven-week spring youth program, kids learn
the fundamentals of golf and play a tournament (complete with caddies) at the
end. Sharon began with six kids in 2001; the program now has 36.
The ladies league provides similar instruction to beginning
golfers who are intimidated by playing 18-hole courses. Participating women go
through an eight-week program, during which they are grouped with a mentor.
This league has grown from five participants in 2001 to
nearly 50 this year.
''A lot of women feel intimidated by the game, and there
didn't seem to be a lot of places for them to go,'' Sharon said. ''They learn
here and go play at other places, and it works quite well.''
The Vietmeiers turned to Dave Elchin to handle instruction at
Sweet Water. Elchin, in his third year at the course, began his career in 1968
as an apprentice to Ralph Hutchison and Morry Holland at Saucon Valley.
He has taught at Pocono Manor, Fox Hollow and the Cotton Bay
Club in the Bahamas. Elchin, an energetic golf pro, also help Sharon develop one
of Sweet Water's more interesting programs.
Elchin conducts free etiquette classes the first Saturday of
every month (the next is scheduled for June 4). During the two-hour session,
Elchin covers a host of etiquette issues — from fixing divots to where to stand
while others are hitting — for novice players. ''Something every beginner should
do,'' he said.
Though beginners compose a solid portion of Sweet Water's
base, Jeff Vietmeier wants to appeal to experienced players as well. The new
green he built sits between the course's two ponds, creating a unique, 260-yard
risk/reward par 4.
He also has bought 10 neighboring acres to expand the course
(now a 2,600-yard, par-35 layout) and develop some toothier holes. The plans
include lengthening the par-5 seventh to 550 yards.
''We get a lot of players who say, 'Oh, it's only a nine-hole
course,''' Jeff said. ''Then they come out and play and realize it's not so
rinky-dink after all.''
mark.wogenrich@mcall.com
610-820-6588
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