To be honest, the golf season in the Pocono Mountains has always been limited to no more than six months due to the severity of the cold weather.

Until now.Owner and manager of the Blue Shamrock Golf Club Tim Nagle has installed two indoor interactive wall-sized video screens that allow his patrons to play virtual reality golf on any of 160 courses from around the world.“You can come into our club on a rainy, snowy or cold day and play golf at Augusta, Pebble Beach, Pine Valley and whatever other great courses you choose,” Nagle said.“Shamulator” golf allows the player to drive, pitch and putt a ball onto a video screen of professional fairways and greens. Advanced technology tracks the ball’s distance and direction. Scores are kept automatically.In 2014, Nagle reopened what was formerly the private Blue Ridge Country Club. His outdoor golf course sits on 308 acres and his 20,000-square-foot building houses a full-service restaurant and pub that are now open to the public.“We’re not just about golf here,” Nagle said. “We are planting the seeds to make this a place where families can come and have fun and get a great meal at very reasonable prices in our restaurant or choose from the menu in our Gallagher’s Pub.”The Blue Shamrock also provides live acoustic and rock music and comedy shows within entertainment packages that include drinks and meals with one price.When it comes to golf, however, Nagle shared his vision.“With the interactive program, we hope to introduce the game to kids who are 12 and older. They can learn how to swing the clubs, and we can teach them about the etiquette of the game all the while they are having fun.”Nagle said that seasoned golfers who have to wait for good spring weather to play outdoors can come into the Blue Shamrock and play nine holes on multiple courses to hone their skills and make the game they love a year-round activity.“With all that we offer, we aim to be a party place,” he said. “We can do weddings in our ballroom. We can host birthday parties, bachelorette parties, senior luncheons or our Gallagher’s Pub can just be a place where a guy can say to his friend, ‘Hey, you want to get a beer at the Shamrock?’ ”Nagle comes from a business background, and his love of golf motivated him to purchase the club.“I’ve loved the game for many years and now I want to help people of all ages and skill levels to enjoy playing,” said Nagle, who has nearly 100 members who regularly play on his outdoor course. “That’s why we are open to the public with no membership fees. Anyone can come play. Our course is also the home field for Palmerton and Pleasant Valley high schools and we run a summer camp for golf, too.”Although the Blue Shamrock has been open for business for two years, Nagle had a grand opening on Friday. He intends to attract new patrons with burger nights and other culinary specialties prepared by executive chef Christine Ingram. A special St Patrick’s Day event is also being planned.The Blue Shamrock Golf Club is located on Fireline Road near Palmerton. Anyone who would like to play on the Shamulator should call and make a reservation or reserve online.When asked what satisfaction he ultimately wants to achieve from his entrepreneurship, Nagle offered a simple, but all-inclusive reply.“I just love to see people having fun. Life is too short, so that’s what it’s all about.”