The recent warm weather has a lot of golfers getting their clubs ready to use at their first opportunity.

Snow is rapidly melting and the urge to engage in an outdoor activity is overwhelming for many, but especially for golfers.One of the finest golf courses in the region for many years was the one at Mahoning Valley Country Club in Mahoning Township. For years it was a private club. Then it was sold to a private concern and was opened to the public.Financial hardship occurred to the previous owner because of varied reasons, including the collapse of the real estate market which erased hopes of several large housing developments occurring nearby.The Country Club property was claimed by Lafayette Ambassador Bank of Easton during a sheriff's sale last year. Under bank ownership, the club remained open last summer.There are rumors - and nothing has been substantiated - that the club property is in the process of being sold. So far no deed transfers have occurred in the Carbon County Courthouse.If the club is being sold, that's great news. Anyone investing in the property certainly would do so only with a plan.If not, hopefully the golf course will again be utilized this summer.Unfortunately, unless proper care is taken of the course, it soon will cease to exist. Then what? Will the property become a nuisance? Will it be too late to economically salvage as an operating golf course? Will it be subdivided for who knows what use?The Mahoning Valley Country Club golf course is a landmark.Hopefully it will be restored and will continue being utilized in a productive manner.By Ron Gowerrgower@tnonline.com