Reichard, Kauffman, Topper and Mastriano Disappointed with Forced Closing of South Mountain Golf Course

December 1, 2025

WAYNESBORO – Following an announcement by South Mountain Golf Course in Quincy Township that it will not reopen for the 2026 golf season after the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) didn’t renew its lease, Reps. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) and Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) and Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin/Adams) issued the following statement:

“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 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.

“The course was a thriving, profitable business right up until DCNR decided it wanted the land to, maybe, someday build a new visitors’ center for Michaux State Forest. 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 at a time when Shapiro is on a spending spree. 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 few months ago, Shapiro touted the importance of golf to our state. One of the things he noted was that golf contributes $6.3 billion (that’s billion with a ‘B’) to our economy. It seems that it’s fine to support golf on social media and in front of the cameras, but when it comes down to it, the governor failed not only golf, but also a small, family-owned business (and that’s business with a ‘B’).

“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 southcentral Pennsylvania are being paved over by warehouses and data centers, Shapiro could have saved this one course. He blew it.”

On the news of the closure, House Republican Leader 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.”

Representative Chad Reichard
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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