PINCKNEY, Michigan — New owners are working to spiff up an 18-hole golf course in the small town of Pinckney that had gotten a little rough around the edges.
New owners took over Timber Trace Golf Club, which sits about an hour west of Detroit and about a half-hour from Ann Arbor, in March. Since then, they have invested in improving grounds maintenance, removing damaged trees, clearing overgrown areas of the course and other upgrades.
Renovations to the clubhouse, which features a pro shop, tavern and small restaurant, include a new bar and furnishings, windows, paint and other fixtures.
The course plays as short as 5,100 yards from the forward tees and can stretch to 7,020 from the back tees.
Locals take over
Club director Clif McLellan is one of seven owner-stakeholders in the course, which is located on about 150 acres near the intersection of Hinchey Road and M-36.
“I live here, and it’s a great course,” McLellan said of why he wanted to update the club. “It needed someone who was here and could take care of it and make it a nice place to play.”
McClellan spent most of his career as a toxicologist. Now retired from the science world, he jokes that taking over the club sounded like a great idea after a few beers. The idea stuck.
He said other stakeholders in the course include people who live in the area.
“For me, I wanted to include as many people from around here as possible. I needed their support,” he said.
Grounds improvements
He said the grounds maintenance staff has completed a lot of clearing, repairing, mowing and fertilizing on the course.
“We’ve improved regular maintenance,” he said.
They removed about 30 trees, including some that had fallen. They cut tall grasses back, including around a pond, which had been obscured.
He said improvements are bringing some golfers back to the course who had stopped coming.
He said about five golf outings were booked last year at the course. Twenty are booked now.
“I think next year we’ll see a good increase,” he said.
Part-owner Joey Pena runs marketing and social media for the club.
“We are currently in the process of revitalizing the course,” he wrote Livingston Daily in an email. “The public feedback has been positive and inspiring. Locals are excited to have their course back.”
McLellan said they also plan to expand the food menu at the newly renovated bar and restaurant, which currently serves hot dogs, hamburgers, brisket and brats.
“We’ll add some sandwiches, maybe fried fish. We might do pizza or chicken wings,” he said.
Merchandise in the pro shop is still arriving. The course will have a new logo and will sell shirts, pants and shorts, as well as other items.
“We’re waiting on some stuff. Some of its taking a long time to get here,” McLellan said, adding that supply chain issues caused some delays.
A weekly youth camp for children 6-15 starts in June.
“We’re going to put in a par-3 course within the course for the kids, so they don’t have to play from 400 yards. They can play from 150 yards,” McLellan said, also noting that signs will be installed to mark the par-3 course.
He said the par-3 course also will be an option for some elderly golfers and beginners.
McClellan said they also plan to host weddings and other events.
“We’ve had some inquiries to have weddings and parties out here. I’d also like to have music out here,” he said.
Jennifer Eberbach is a reporter for the Livingston Daily, which is part of the USA Today Network. Contact her at jtimar@livingstondaily.com.
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