Ohio golf course on 2,000-year-old ancient burial grounds will be closed, per legal settlement

The golf course property includes earthworks built 2,000 years ago by ancient American Indian peoples.

After more than a decade, the ongoing legal battle over the Newark Earthworks’ Octagon Mounds has ended.

Moundbuilders Country Club and Ohio History Connection reached a settlement to buy out Moundbuilders’ lease on the Newark Earthworks’ Octagon Mounds — clearing the way for full public access to the property — the Ohio History Connection announced Thursday.

The settlement sum is confidential per the terms of the agreement, according representatives for both entities.

As a result of the case settling, the Octagon Earthworks will fully open to the public Jan. 1. after being leased by the country club since 1910. Moundbuilders intends to operate the private country club at 125 N. 33rd St., Newark, as usual until Dec. 31, Moundbuilders attorney Joe Fraley said.

“The New Year will bring a new era to the Octagon Earthworks and the Ohio History Connection,” Ohio History Connection Board President Charles Moses said in a news release. “We are excited the Octagon, which is one of the eight locations in the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be fully open to the citizens of Ohio — and the world.”

The golf course property includes earthworks built 2,000 years ago by ancient American Indian peoples which are part of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site that includes multiple earthworks in central and southern Ohio. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks earned World Heritage status in September.

The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, was deeded the Great Circle and Octagon Earthworks in 1933 and extended the country club’s in 1997 to 2078. Moundbuilders and the Ohio History Connection began negotiating in January 2013 to provide full public access to the site. In November 2018, the Ohio History Connection sued the country club, intending to buy back the lease on the property. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in December 2022 that the Ohio History Connection could take the property back by eminent domain.

A jury trial in Licking County Common Pleas Court to determine the fair market value of the lease was scheduled for October, but it was delayed by an appeal of pretrial rulings made by Judge David Branstool and delayed again in May and July because of negotiations related to the settlement, according to the Ohio History Connection.

The settlement finally brings the legal battle to a close.

Visitors climb Observatory Mound at the Octagon Earthworks after a tour on Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Ohio History Connection held events at the Great Circle and Octagon Earthworks to celebrate their designation as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Photo: Michael Lehmkuhle/The Advocate/USA Today Network)

“I think the intention of both parties is that all litigation will cease,” Fraley said.

Moundbuilders reached an agreement with The Trout Club to purchase the north Newark property by the end of the year, giving Moundbuilders a place to continue its golf tradition in Newark, which The Advocate reported last week.

Fraley said Moundbuilders and The Trout Club are continuing to work out the details of the purchase.

Fraley said the country club was clear throughout the legal process that “there could never be a settlement if the club couldn’t survive.”

While the settlement and The Trout Club purchase are not directly related, they are connected, Fraley said.

“There certainly was a relationship because we had to survive; and in order to survive, we had to find a home. And in this particular case, the two seem to be compatible.”

Ohio History Connection finalizing public access details for Newark’s Octagon Earthworks

Now that the court case has wrapped up, the Ohio History Connection can move forward with planning full public access to the Octagon Earthworks, Ohio History Connection spokesperson Neil Thompson said.

He said it will be similar to the Great Circle Earthworks, meaning there will be posted hours and scheduled time with staff members for tours and programs. The private nonprofit will spend the next five months finalizing the details before the 134-acre site opens to the public.

“We look forward to partnering with the community to bring vibrant and meaningful visitor experiences to this remarkable place, and we plan to provide more details after we officially take possession of the leasehold for the property,” Ohio History Connection Executive Director and CEO Megan Wood said in a news release.

Planning is also underway specifically for Jan. 1 and how the Ohio History Connection wants to welcome not just Newark and Ohio residents but people from across the world to view this monumental, Native American landscape architecture that can not be found anywhere else in the world, Thompson said.

“We just are so happy that people are going to be able to see in person 365 days a year,” he said.

mdevito@gannett.com

This major U.S. city is considering selling off all of its municipal golf courses

The courses could fetch a combined $6.5 million to $27.3 million, a report says.

Golfers in Cincinnati, Ohio, have long prized city courses for their high quality and low prices.

Those will be among the topics in play should the city decide to sell its courses or manage them in a new way – possibilities raised by the just-out Cincinnati Futures Commission report.

The courses could fetch a combined $6.5 million to $27.3 million, the report says, depending on whether they were bought by private golf course operators or sold off for development.

Here’s a look at the city’s six courses, operated by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, as they stand today.

Six courses with rates starting under $20

The six courses – two on the west side, two on the east, one in the central part of the city and one north – all operate seven days a week, weather permitting.

Rates start below $20 for a nine-hole round, with higher costs Friday through Sunday and for before-noon tee times. Kids younger than 17 are free with a playing adult.

Golfweek’s Best: Top public and private courses in Ohio

The courses take reservations online, up to 10 days in advance; by phone at (513) 651-4653, seven or fewer days in advance. Groups are limited to foursomes.

The venues sell snacks and beverages in their clubhouses, and ban players from bringing their own beer or alcohol on courses.

CRC courses offer between nine and 27 holes

Avon Fields Golf Course, 4081 Reading Road, is located in the neighborhoods of North Avondale and Paddock Hills. It offers 18 holes, a clubhouse and driving range.
California Golf Course, 5924 Kellogg Ave., is located in Cincinnati’s California neighborhood. It has 18 holes and clubhouse.
Glenview Golf Course, 10965 Springfield Pike, is in Springfield Township. Its east, south and west courses each have nine holes, with a clubhouse to serve all three.
Neumann Golf Course, 7215 Bridgetown Road, is located in Miami Township. Its white, blue and red courses each offer nine holes. The course includes a club house and driving range.
Reeves Golf Course, 4757 Playfield Lane, is located on the city’s Lunken Airport property in the East End. It offers 18 holes, a driving range and clubhouse.
Woodland Golf Course, 5820 Muddy Creek Road, is a nine-hole course in Green Township with a clubhouse.

Hamilton County, private operators run dozens more

Great Parks of Hamilton County also owns and operates six public courses, with similar rates and rules. They include Little Miami Golf Course in Anderson Township, Meadow Links in Forest Park’s Winton Woods, Miami Whitewater in Harrison, Sharon Woods in Sharonville, The Mill Course in Springfield Township and The Vineyard Golf Course in Anderson Township.

Greater Cincinnati is also home to dozens of public courses run by other municipalities, along with private clubs.

Northeast Ohio golf course that went to auction was carved into pieces

A couple potential buyers expressed interest in acquiring the entire site, so it could be operated as a golf course.

LAKE TOWNSHIP, Ohio ‒ There will be no mulligans for Seven Hills Country Club.

The 18-hole public golf course — which spent this past season in hibernation — was sold in bits and pieces to nine separate buyers during a simultaneous online and in-person auction at the site Friday afternoon. No one submitted a bid to usurp the individual buyers, all but ensuring the property will not return as a golf course.

About 175 people attended the sale, conducted by Kaufman Realty & Auctions of Sugarcreek, at the former course. In slightly less than an hour, all 159 acres and an adjacent house just east of Hartville were gone.

The final overall sale price was a combined $3.3 million.

The former Seven Hills Country Club, which closed at the end of the 2022 season, is up for auction this week. The 18-hole course just outside Hartville was once considered one of the premier courses in Stark County. (Photo by Michael Criswell)

Interest, but no offers to buy entire Seven Hills Country Club

The likely future for most of it is as new home sites. The property is zoned for houses already.

“Building sites galore,” auctioneer Jr. Miller had advised the crowd.

A renovated house on more than four acres sold first, for $620,000, plus a 10% buyer’s premium. Then came the course itself. Chunks and slices of between five and 44 acres were offered in packages and separately in per-acre bids until all of it was sold.

“Don’t go home landless,” Miller said during a lull in bidding.

Miller said that a couple potential buyers had expressed pre-sale interest in acquiring the entire site at the auction, so it could be operated as a golf course again.

“But it just didn’t happen,” he said afterward.

The opportunity was there, though.

More: Photographer says adieu to Ohio golf course before auction with radiant photo gallery

At the end, bidders had a chance to step in and buy the entire site for at least 1% more than the combined $3.3 million from individual bids. Miller waited. He waited some more.

He even took a break in case someone needed to make a phone call.

But no one bid on the site as a whole. If someone had, each previous individual bidder would have had one opportunity to up their offers ― the overall buyer would then have to top that.

The former Seven Hills Country Club, which closed at the end of the 2022 season. The 18-hole course just outside Hartville was once considered one of the premier courses in Stark County. (Photo by Michael Criswell)

Golf course was idled for this past season

Miller said he expected the sales to close within 90 days.

Seven Hills was built along William Penn Avenue NE in 1968. The Gran family had owned the site for most of the past half-century. In its heyday, the finely manicured course was often rated one of the premier public layouts in the region.

The Grans sold the course and two houses in 2020 for $2.7 million to a limited liability corporation. The purchasing group was headed by James Gesiotto, a Jackson Township resident and Mount Eaton dentist, and family members, who solicited Kaufman to handle the auction.

The course remained open through most of 2022, but it was closed for this past season.

Another auction was scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, to sell course maintenance and restaurant equipment.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 ortim.botos@cantonrep.com.On Twitter: @tbotosREP

An upcoming auction will determine the fate of this once-proud Ohio golf club

“I know there are people who want it to remain a golf course,” said a realtor. And it still could be.

LAKE TWP., Ohio ‒ The dormant former Seven Hills Country Club will be auctioned in two weeks.

Kaufman Realty & Auctions of Sugarcreek will handle the two-day sale. At noon on Dec. 15, it will offer the 160 acres of land, buildings and a house. The next day, golf course maintenance and restaurant equipment will be on the block in a separate sale.

“I know there are people who want it to remain a golf course,” said Jr. Miller, a Kaufman realtor/auctioneer.

And it still could be.

That all depends on who wants to buy what.

Seven Hills CC in Ohio is going up for auction. (Photo by Tim Botos/Canton Repository)

Pieces, parts or the whole thing

The Dec. 15 sales will begin with an adjacent three-bedroom, custom-built 4,900-square-foot home on five acres. Next will be the clubhouse and outbuildings on a 20-acre parcel.

Then, comes the 18-hole layout itself, offered separately in eight chunks, ranging in size from 5 to 44 acres.

Driveway into clubhouse area at Seven Hills Country Club earlier this year.
However, Miller explained there will be several opportunities as the auction unwinds for bidders to buy the clubhouse, buildings and course property as a package.

“It’s all going to be up to the buyers,” he said.

The golf course, on William Penn Avenue NE, was built in 1968. It was owned by the Gran family for most of the past half-century, a time when the site was often rated one of the premier public courses in the region. The course was designed by Bill Newcomb, who worked as an apprentice under Pete Dye before forming his company and designing numerous courses throughout the country. He also has Alpine at Boyne Mountain Resort, Polo Fields Golf & Country Club in Louisville and Anchorage Golf Course to his credit.

The Grans sold it and two adjacent houses in 2020 for $2.7 million. James Gesiotto, a Mount Eaton dentist, and family members headed the purchasing group.

The course remained open through most of 2022 but closed for this past season.

Earlier this year, the golf course and clubhouse — not including either of the two houses — was listed for sale with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services for $4.3 million.

Miller said the auctions do include unpublicized reserve prices, which means the owners provided a minimum amount they must receive for sales to be completed.

“It’s fair and reasonable,” Miller said.

An Ohio golf club is up for auction on Dec. 15. (Photo: Julie Vennitti Botos)

Property already is zoned for houses

An open house is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Monday.

The Dec. 15 auctions will be simultaneously online and in person. The Dec. 16 equipment sales will be in-person only from 10 to 11:30 a.m. However, online access will be available beginning at 11:30, for about a dozen pieces of the largest equipment.

Seven Hills Country Club will be auctioned in a two-day offering.
The entire Seven Hills complex is zoned for low-density residential use, which means houses could be built there.

The township’s zoning code permits lots as small as less than a half-acre to two acres in size.

Township Zoning Administrator Nicole Wilkinson previously told the Canton Repository that any development ― other than a golf course ― would likely have to be submitted to the Stark County Regional Planning Commission for approval.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP

This Ohio golf course will close for good in October, continuing a disturbing trend: ‘We tried our best’

Another golf course in Northeast Ohio will close its doors for good this fall.

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Another golf course in Northeast Ohio will close its doors for good this fall, according to a statement released by the owners on Tuesday.

The Sanctuary Golf Club in North Canton, about 25 minutes south of Akron and just a few miles from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will close for good in October.

According to a story at our network partners, the Canton Repository, staffing issues forced the final closure, although the course had not made money since it had opened in 2001, and had been pared down from two courses to one in advance of this final step:

McKinley Development Co., a partnership of DeHoff Development Co. and Lemmon Development, said the 18-hole public golf course was never profitable and is facing increased staffing issues and significant capital investment because of aging equipment.

“The economics of running a golf course has changed dramatically over these last several years,” Bill Lemmon said in a prepared statement. “Although we tried our best to make it work, it was no longer sustainable.”

McKinley Development acquired the Sanctuary, formally known as the Bob-O-Link Course, in 2001 when it purchased the land from the Paul Weber family. The south golf course, purchased a few years later, was developed into a mixed-use residential development for single-family homes, villa homes and multifamily units.

Lemmon came up with the name change to The Sanctuary when the north course was reconfigured in 2003 and 2004. The name alludes to a back-to-nature feel of wetlands on the back nine.

The plan is to maintain the course through the 2023 golf season, then close the course permanently in October, the company said.

Daniel Gambone of Hoover tees off on the second hole during their match against GlenOak at the Sanctuary Golf Club on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021.

“We know the Sanctuary has been a beloved golf course by many in our community,” Bob DeHoff said in a prepared statement. “It was a difficult decision and one we did not take lightly.”

There are no immediate plans for development, according to the company, which said McKinley remains optimistic that future plans for the property will have a positive impact in the Plain Township and North Canton communities.

Photo: Julie Vennitti Botos/Canton Repository/USA Today Network

This continues a disturbing trend of closures in the area, many in the last few years. According to another story from the Repository, here’s a list of other area courses in danger or already closed.

As the crow flies, The Sanctuary is:

Six miles southwest of Seven Hills, which went up for sale in March after 50-plus years as a golf course.
Five miles northwest of Skyland Pines, which closed in 2021 to make way for an Amazon hub.
Five miles northeast of Tam O’Shanter, which closed its 36 holes in 2018 and was repurposed into residences and a park.
Two miles northwest of Edgewood, which shrank from 18 to nine holes after First Christian Church acquired the land in 2002; the remaining nine holes closed in 2013 to make way for housing.
Seven miles east of Rolling Green, whose 18 holes near Canal Fulton closed in 2016 amid plans for a residential development.
Seven miles southwest of Lake View, a nine-hole course in Hartville that closed in 2017.

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Popular Ohio golf club acquired by a national cemetery plans to stay open for the next decade or so

The deal allows Rawiga’s owners to lease back the property until the cemetery needs to expand.

RITTMAN, Ohio — Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery has purchased the popular Rawiga Golf Club directly south of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility.

Cemetery Director Jesse Getz said the $1.69 million purchase of the 156-acre course secured land for future expansion of Western Reserve and also lets the golf course operate well into the future.

Transfer of the golf course took place Oct. 4, according to Medina County auditor records, adding more than 150 acres to the 273-acre Western Reserve — one of only two national cemeteries in Ohio.

“It’s a win-win for the veterans and also the government, because we lease it back to the golf course,” he said. “Be it for 10 years or 20 years.”

Getz said the cemetery, which opened in 2000, now has 49,503 graves and would have eventually run out of space. The cemetery is in a 10-year Phase III development, with about 30 acres available for new graves.

The 164 national cemeteries throughout the U.S. and its territories are designed primarily to honor military veterans and their families.

“We truly have one time to make it right, and what we strive for is perfection,” he said.

No changes planned to golf club

The Rawiga course was designed E. Lawrence Packard, a prominent golf course architect responsible for more than 600 courses in North America before his death in 2014. His designs include four courses at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, site of the annual Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

Rawiga co-owner Bill Colianni, head PGA professional and general manager at the club, said he was approached in late summer by Western Reserve Cemetery representatives who wanted to acquire the property for the cemetery’s future needs.

“They needed to secure our property,” Colianni said.

The deal reached by the two parties allows Rawiga’s owners to lease back the property until the cemetery needs to expand, Colianni said. During that time — estimated to be at least seven years and possibly more than a decade — the course will continue to operate without noticeable changes, he said.

After the sale became known, rumors on social media mischaracterized the timing of any transition, with some people speculating there would be immediate changes. That’s not the case, Colianni said.

“We’re there for all of our outings, banquets, leagues,” he said. “No one need to worry about us going away. Nothing is changing.”

The course started as a private club in 1959, evolving into a public course with banquet facilities.

‘An honor we have that national cemetery’

Janie Parish, executive director of the Wadsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, said she had mixed feelings about the purchase.

“When it was first put out there that it was being bought by them, I think people were sad because it has been around since the ’60s,” she said. “That’s where we do our golf outing every year.”

But Parish said the cemetery is a prominent and valuable fixture in the county.

“I just think it’s an honor we have that national cemetery,” she said. “More than anything, it becomes a destination. My parents are both buried at the cemetery.”

Getz said it’s difficult to assess when the golf course land will be needed, but speculated it probably wouldn’t be required for the next 10 or 15 years.

“We should have plenty of land in the original cemetery. … for our next stage,” he said.

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An Ohio golf course went from red to black in four years by cutting an $80K pro, adding sponsors and more

How did this Ohio course become profitable? By cutting costs, realigning staff and improving fundraising and community support.

ASHLAND, Ohio – Brookside Golf Course, which sits in this small city almost equidistant from Cleveland and Columbus, is seeing more green this year — as in profits.

The course is up $100,000 over expenses so far this season, a stark contrast to its deficit just four years ago.

The city had to subsidize Brookside a total of $232,362 in 2017 to help offset annual operations. In 2019, the city contributed $65,000 to the golf course, Mayor Matt Miller said.

By the following year, the course officially climbed into the black.

How? By cutting costs, realigning staff and improving fundraising and community support.

And more people are playing these days, which helps maintain a higher revenue stream.

So far this year, golfers have played 16,800 rounds. That’s more than played the entire year (16,788) of 2017.

Brookside is exceeding expenses by $101,519 so far this season with a few more months to continue the upward trend, Miller said.

Making Brookside profitable again: ‘Three things we needed to change’

Mike Raubenolt and Conner Brittinger watch as Mayor Matt Miller putts at the 4th annual Mayor’s Golf Classic at Brookside Golf Course on Aug. 13.
When Miller ran for mayor in 2017, he focused on addressing the realities of the operation’s financial books.

“There were three things we needed to change,” Miller explained, all centering around staffing.

The city eliminated the golf pro position with its $80,000 annual salary.

Billy Christian was appointed superintendent. Mick Briggs took over a part-time position overseeing the clubhouse. Another key player in the economic transformation is Steve Fast, a part-time employee who has a history in banking.

Fast, who retired from the course in April due to health concerns, worked at Brookside for 10 years, he said.

“Briggs and Christian were very instrumental in turning the course around,” Fast said. “I think everybody came together and all the employees came together and even people who were not employees of the course came together and really worked, and we got the course built back up.”

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Community steps up to play golf

Fast credits Ashlanders for the increase in money coming into the operation.

“I think the community had a lot to do with it,” he said. “They didn’t want to lose the golf course. We had a pickup in golfing.”

People like Gene Haberman helped raise money, Fast said.

Haberman came up with the idea of adding sponsorships to the golf course via golf carts and golf holes, Miller said.

Another way the course has increased funding is by hiking prices for nine-hole rounds by 50 cents and 18-hole rounds by $1.

“In 2017, we held the Mayor’s Golf Classic to help raise money to keep the golf course open,” Miller said. “It was to raise money to help cover the operating costs and to make improvements.”

The 2021 Mayor’s golf classic ushered in $1,300, Miller said.

Donations fund pavilion, pavement

Other members of the Ashland golf community helped bring new life to the course through donations.

Lloyd and Norma Wygant talked with the mayor about donating money to build a new $115,000 pavilion.

Over the last three years, donors Stan and Mary Miller contributed money to redo the pavement and put seal coating on the golf cart paths, Miller said.

“Assistant Superintendent Brent Cherry and Billy Christian have done an outstanding job on making the course look the best it’s ever looked,” Miller said. “We involved them personally going out and adjusting the sprinklers to keep the grass green and playable.”

With profit margins continuing to gain upward momentum, Miller believes once the season is over the profits will carry over to next year’s golf season.

One way the money might be used is for a new irrigation system, which will cost roughly six figures.

“I found some paperwork in the files that the superintendent back in 1986 was trying to get a new irrigation system put in,” Christian said. “We’re possibly looking into building a deck out of the pro shop that way people can sit out and enjoy the weather.”

Reach Grant at gritchey@gannett.com; On Twitter: @Ritchey_Grant

Ohio course previously linked to Amazon is officially sold, will shut down in September

An Ohio golf club is being sold to developers and will close in September. There has been speculation that the golf course would be sold.

CANTON, Ohio – Skyland Pines Golf Club is being sold to developers and will close in September.

Steve DiPietro, whose family owns the course, confirmed the sale Monday. There has been speculation for several months that the 18-hole golf course, driving range and banquet center would be sold.

DiPietro said he cannot name the company that made the purchase but it has plans to develop the property. He declined to talk about specific details of the sale.

Selling the property was an opportunity that his family couldn’t pass up, DiPietro said.

“It’s also an opportunity that’s going to be great for Stark County and Canton,” he said.

Developers are working with a company that will build on the property and generate a large number of jobs, DiPietro said. He didn’t have details about the project.

“Whatever they do with it, they do with it,” he said.

Caleb Smith practices on the driving range Monday at Skyland Pines Golf Club in Canton. The facility will be closing down after Labor Day to make room for an undisclosed business development. Photo by Scott Heckel, Canton Repository/USA Today Network

“It would be a great project for the community.”

The Stark Economic Development Board has been involved in discussions with developers, said Ray Hexamer, president and chief executive officer. He declined to comment about the talks because the deal hasn’t been finalized.

“It looks promising, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Hexamer said. “It would be a great project for the community.”

Hexamer declined to identify who officials have been talking with, other than saying it’s a developer.

There has been speculation in some circles that Amazon is eyeing the 140-acre tract for a distribution center. DiPietro said he hasn’t had conversations with Amazon.

In May, Canton City Council approved rezoning the golf course for light industry. At that time, DiPietro said the change was being made to place the property in a better position if an opportunity to sell came along.

More: Skyland Pines Golf Club set for rezoning; owner says land not sold despite Amazon rumors

City Council also approved a statement of services in late June to prepare to annex about 5.6 acres of Skyland Pines that is in Plain Township. Deputy Mayor Fonda Williams, the city’s annexation director, did not immediately return a request for comment.

Scott Erickson tees off Monday at Skyland Pines Golf Club in Canton. The facility will be closing down after Labor Day to make room for an undisclosed business development.

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Lost wedding venue

The closure comes about a month before Jennifer Fields’ wedding ceremony and reception were to be on Oct. 23 at Skyland Pines. Now, the bride-to-be from East Canton is faced with the challenge of finding a new venue — with the added complication of other weddings delayed until this year because of the pandemic — and a new caterer.

“They tried to offer us another venue, but it’s in Green, and it was changing our wedding date, too,” Fields said.

She wants to keep the same date because family members from Florida already have plane tickets and time off scheduled. Fields said she also has save-the-date cards and invitations, which cost about $300, to update now.

She and her fiancé reserved the venue in December. When they returned about a month ago to arrange time frames for their special day, Fields said, staff “never once” mentioned the possibility of Skyland Pines’ closure.

She had heard rumors about its future but thought the business would contact her if they were true. Skyland Pines informed the couple on July 9 about its closure and reimbursed their $3,500 deposit.

“I was crying when we went to go pick up the check for their thing because I’m just like, ‘What am I supposed to do now?'” Fields said.

Skyland Pines history

Skyland Pines is the former Highland Hills Country Club. Salvatore Joseph “Junior” DiPietro, who founded the Pizza Oven chain, bought the course in 1972 and renamed it Skyland Pines. The banquet center opened in 1975.

The DiPietro family sold the course in 2007, but repurchased the property four years ago. Steve DiPietro said the banquet facility suffered during the coronavirus pandemic, although the golf side of the business picked up.

Skyland Pines is offering a special 30-day membership option on its website for $325.

Penn Ohio Golf Trail: 54 courses – 4 mansions – 20 hotels – unlimited potential

Stay and Play – One Call Does It All For over 10 years, the Penn Ohio Golf Trail has provided unique and affordable stay and play golf packages to its guests. It has expanded each year with new courses and new lodging, but over the past three years …

Stay and Play – One Call Does It All

For over 10 years, the Penn Ohio Golf Trail has provided unique and affordable stay and play golf packages to its guests. It has expanded each year with new courses and new lodging, but over the past three years has grown to offer 54 courses across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, five mansions, 20 hotels in various locations across the trail, and a golf experience that is unparalleled from other stay and play packages. With monthly package specials, a wide variety of lodging and courses, and different areas to explore, the Penn Ohio Golf Trail has a package to fit all golfers’ needs.

Mansions

Allowing groups of two to 36 golfers to stay in one house is what sets the Trail apart. The historical mansions are furnished with big-screen TVs, pool tables, poker tables, among other amenities that allow guests of the trail to relax and unwind after a full day of golf. Breakfast is served right at the mansions, and catered dinners are also available. The luxury of having the entire group in a home setting creates the perfect golf package for groups.

Courses/Private Clubs

With 54 courses to choose from, there is something for every golfer. Famous designers such as Donald Ross, Pete Dye, A.W. Tillinghast, Tom Bendelow, and Stanley Thompson establish tradition on the Trail; while modern designers such as Brian Huntley, Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, and Jack Nicklaus provide modern courses to delight golfers.

The Trail offers courses for every level of golf. All courses are rated at 4 stars or above, and each course provides its own uniqueness to the golfers. Pine Lakes Golf Club is the home course of the Penn Ohio Golf Trail. Pine Lakes was established in 1926 and redesigned by Brian Huntley in 1998. The course mixes the mature conditions with a new layout.

Olde Stonewall in western Pennsylvania is rated as the number one public course in Pennsylvania. This challenging gem is unmatched for beauty and difficulty. Boulder Creek, The Quarry, The Virtues, Little Mountain, Stonewater and Fowler’s Mill golf courses provide the top courses in Ohio to Trail visitors. Each of these courses is consistently ranked in the top 10 courses in the state.

Hidden gems and local favorites allow Trail golfers to experience courses that locals love. Yankee Run, Reserve Run, The Links at Firestone Farms, and Mill Creek are just a few courses in the Youngstown, Ohio area. In Canton, Ohio, the Sanctuary, Sable Creek, Raintree Golf and Event Center, Zoar Village and Chippewa are just a few. Western PA offers Oak Tree CC, Castle Hills, Whispering Woods, and Tam O’Shanter, and Painesville, Ohio presents Madison CC, Legend Lake CC, and St. Denis.

The Trail also has exclusive booking rights on private, members-only country clubs. Youngstown CC has hosted a Western Open and, along with Tippecanoe CC, have hosted USGA qualifiers. Avalon Lakes and Avalon Squaw Creek are both former LPGA courses, and Trumbull CC and Avalon Buhl are traditional private club designs. Glenmoor CC and Shady Hollow CC in Canton and Quail Hollow in Painesville, among others, round out the country club courses.

Hotels and Locations

Besides the mansions, the Penn Ohio Golf Trail offers 20 different hotels around Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The hotels are situated so that golfers can explore the many areas of the Trail, whether on one trip or over multiple years. The Youngstown/Warren/Sharon area is the home base of the Trail and has the most hotels and courses. In the past year, the Trail has expanded to Canton, Ohio, and Painesville, Ohio. Canton offers a unique opportunity for golfers as there are many great courses, three different hotel options, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Grove City, Pennsylvania, has some of the best shopping outlets and great courses for golfers to explore. As the hotels are spread across the Trail, it creates limited drive times to courses in the particular area, which is important for any package.

A Package to Fit All Golfers

The unique and wide range of lodging and golf courses means that there’s a package for all golf groups. Whether a father and daughter on their first golf trip together, a bus trip for 100 golfers in a league, or just buddies putting together a Ryder Cup tournament, the Penn Ohio Golf Trail has the package to fit all golfers’ needs. Each golf package is a tailor-made experience that fits budget, handicaps, and other important aspects when putting a package together.

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