Arnold's Golf Course

Arnold Crisman had a dream and his dream was to build a family oriented public golf course, and in 1983 he made that dream a reality when he opened the first nine holes where people could come and enjoy a game of golf with their family. Later in 1986 he opened the latter half of his eighteen hole golf course. Today, Arnold's Golf Course is still run by the Crisman family, John and Linda Crisman, JC Crisman and Brent Crisman, John and Linda's two children. Arnold's golf course has always been known for having their loving dogs as the course mascots. Past course dog's names were Pancake, Radar and Duke. Today, Daisy their black lab, is there to welcome all members and new customers.

Before you pull into the parking lot at Arnold's you are greeted by a gigantic white sign with black lettering which reads, "Arnold's Public Golf Course Bar and Restaurant." After pulling into the parking lot the wide open golf course catches newcomers attention, with it's pine tree's that perfectly aline two fairways separating them,  and the peaceful creek that gently flows alongside a steep hill. The course has many amazing features which includes it's beautiful scenery full of trees, and also a running railroad which has an old rusted train drive by occasionally. "The train is just one part of this course that just makes it different than any other courses in the area, and the kids love when the train drives by." says Linda. Many wild animals live around and on the course as well, turtles, deer, foxes, snakes have all been seen on the course by members of Arnolds.

Arnold's is known for having a pet canine as their course mascot, starting out in 1983 when Arnold opened the first nine holes to the public he had his two golden labs, Pancake and Radar. Since then the Crisman family has kept the canine tradition by bringing their golden retriever, Duke, down to the course everyday. The Crisman's had to put Duke down in August 2012, they now have a tournament every year where anybody can play in the tournament for a small fee, also anybody can take a picture of their pet and bring it into Arnolds before the tournament and Linda will blow up the picture and post it next to a hole the day of the tournament, all proceeds are donated to the Bloomsburg Animal Resource Center. Today, Daisy, the black lab roams around Arnold's interacting with all the members and young golfers. "The point to having a dog on the course, such as Daisy, is that it's part of Arnold's tradition and many families enjoy seeing our dog." says John.

Bar at Arnolds

The golf course isn't the only thing that makes this course fun and exciting for new customers. Inside at the bar is where all the excitement is held. The pro-shop and the bar are connected as one single-story building made out of sheets of faded red metal. At the top of the building you can read another humungous white sign, "Arnold's Public Golf Course Bar and Restaurant." Inside at the bar the odor of cigarette smoke lingers around the bar. The bar is very dim with only six spheric lamps lighting the room from the ceiling of the bar. The bar is surrounded by thirteen black leather barstools, the bar is made of dark oak wood with a glossy surface. The area behind the bar has eight glossy oak tables alined two by two across the room for dining. The walls are covered with antique golf decorations, pictures of the course and members, and a variety of beer signs that available for purchase at the bar. Behind the bartender at Arnold's customers can choose from a variety of different liquors, or they can choose from an assortment of beer like, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Yuengling Lager and many more. Since Arnold's is a small family business, they only have five full time employees which tend bar, and work maintenance on the golf course. The job of the bartenders is to serve alcohol to their customers and socialize which they all love to do. Kim Banks has been a bartender at Arnold's for five years and is the longest and oldest working employee. "I love working at Arnold's, because I love the free golf in the summer, and I love all the members who come and golf." says Kim.

The biggest part to running a golf course is keeping the course maintained. John, Brent, and JC Crisman take care in the maintenance of the golf course, although John may not be able to do some of the things he used to before he still tries to help as much as he can. JC and Brent both share the responsibilities by working more than forty hours a week. There are many important factors that come into play when working on the course, responsibilities include, mowing over 5,000 yards of fairways and greens, moving the teeing ground, watering the fairways, and cleaning up litter. During the summer keeping the course maintained can be stressful at times especially if the weather doesn't cooperate. "We have to keep the course playable at all times, that means if it rains and we can't do what we have to do for the day we have to come back the next day and do two days of work in one day." states JC.

"Arnold's is the best golf course in the area." says Anna, a member of Arnold's Golf Course. When families come in to golf Linda gives the children a free ice-cream cone as part of the family friendly environment at Arnolds. Many kids who come golfing always look forward to playing with Daisy. Whether you're coming to Arnolds to play golf, have a drink or play with the dog customers always enjoy their experience at Arnold's Golf Course.