JC Martin Golf Course is no different from most municipal layouts.
Tee times are routinely accepted at the nine-hole course, the only one within the City of Erie.
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However, those who seek reservations for end-of-week play there must now be more specific.
Asking if one is available at 10 could mean am or pm
Before Thursday, a 10 pm tee time wasn’t practical because of darkness.
That will change around 8 pm, when night golf ― or glow golf ― debuts at the Glenwood Park course at 652 Shunpike Road. Players, regardless of skill level, can drive, chip and putt there even after the sun sets.
“It’s going to be something really different, but kind of cool,” Superintendent Ryan Bickel said. “I wanted to grow our golf season in Erie, which is always so short.”
Bickel brainstormed ways to do that starting in the spring of 2021, when he was hired to manage JC Martin’s operations. He said overhead lighting around the course was considered around 20 years ago but quickly scrapped out of consideration for residents along the portions of Cherry Street and Glenwood Boulevard that border the course.
The concept of night golf was revived when Bickel heard about glow golf. Upon learning it wasn’t offered anywhere in the immediate tri-state region, he researched some par-3 courses that offered it in golf-mad Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Bickel then approached Charles Zysk and AJ Antolik, the director and assistant director of the city’s public works department.
“It was a little out of the box,” Bickel said, “but they were receptive to it.”
The 21st-century equipment needed for glow golf costs roughly $1,200, according to Antolik.
“We don’t have any estimates on how much (revenue) we’re going to generate,” he said, “but we expect it will be much more than that.”
What to expect from glow golf
Those who wish to try glow golf must bring their own clubs.
Beyond that, the course will provide all other amenities needed for nocturnal play.
JC Martin will offer glow golf each Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Sept. 2. Golfers must call 814-864-1821 and make reservations at $20 per person.
The first tee time will be 30 minutes before sunset each day. The last one available is 10:45 pm
A contact number must be given in case a course employee needs to call and cancel reservations because of weather concerns. Such cancellations could be made up to 24 hours ahead of time.
Refunds will be made if that happens.
“If the forecast calls for over 60% chance of rain, we don’t expect to gamble and run it,” Bickel said. “It takes 90 minutes to set up the LEDs (light-emitting diodes) on the course and 60 to remove them.”
LEDs will shine brightly from each cup, flag stick and tee box. They’ll also be placed at four spots on the edge of each green.
Each player must also wear a lighted necklace for safety reasons.
Not done there, golfers will use light-activated balls. They can be turned on and off with the wave of a cell phone.
Each hole will be measured at par-3 distances.
Yes, even JC Martin’s regulation par-5 first hole. Glow golf players will tee off from an area where they would normally be expected to hit their approach shot.
“The tees will also be moved up on the second and third holes,” Bickel said. “After that, the remaining six are expected to play close to regulation length. We’re also going to make the holes more accessible on the harder greens.”
Food trucks will be available near the clubhouse on selected Saturdays. Bickel also plans for music to add to the casual atmosphere, but it ends well before the last group of players finish their rounds.
“I don’t think the music is going to be an issue with the neighbors just because it’s golf,” Bickel said. “It’s not going to be a rowdy crowd.”
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‘Taking a chance on something new’
Should glow golf at JC Martin get glowing reviews through Labor Day weekend, Bickel said he wouldn’t be against adding another day of it in years to come. He also wouldn’t object if other local courses were to follow his lead.
That’s then, though.
Thursday is now.
“I give the City of Erie a lot of credit for taking a chance on something new,” Bickel said.
JC Martin Golf Course Glow Golf Summer Fun Series
When: Thursday-Saturday, June 1-3 through Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Tee times: Daily, 30 minutes before dark through 10:45 pm
Format: Par-three holes
Cost: $20 per person
Reservations: Required by calling 814-864-1821
Contact Mike Copper at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Glow golf debuts at JC Martin Golf Course in Erie, PA