When a group of local businessmen heard one of the community’s longest-run golf courses might be closed and turned into a subdivision, they took action: they bought it.
Keith Patten, Chris Loridas, Bill Wint, Jim Schmidt, Tom Brown, and Rick Brown are now the proud owners of the old Liberty Golf and Banquet Club on Maybee Road.
‘We all play here,? Patten said. ‘We put together a plan to bring together local business people, friends, to buy it and make it successful.?
They talked about taking it over for six months before making a final decision, he said.
‘It wasn’t just a quick purchase,? he said. ‘We had several meetings until the wee hours of the morning, coming up with a business plan.?
They formed Tee Time Investments LLC of Clarkston, and made the final purchase in May. Now they’re getting ready for the grand opening of Fountains Golf and Banquet.
‘There’s a lot of water out here ? the name fits,? Wint said. ‘We made it our trademark.?
They installed a new, 75-foot, state-of-the-art fountain in Spring Lake on the grounds, with computer-controlled lights to change its color on command.
‘When it’s lit up at night, it’s absolutely spectacular,? Wint said.
‘For weddings, we can change the color of the fountain to match the bridal party,? Rick said.
They also renovated and improved banquet, golf, and restaurant areas inside, adding six flat-screen televisions, as well as landscaping, and a new covered balcony.
Hutchison Electric wired the fountain and upgraded Fountains? wiring, and Tanner Builders constructed new tables for lounge and restaurant.
‘The only way to make this business successful is if you have local, successful business people who understand how to make a business work,? said Tom Brown, who owns the family business Waterfall Jewelers.
Patten owns 24/7 Limousine; Loridas, Clarkston Roofing; and Wint, Lewis E. Wint and Son Funeral Home. Schmidt is a manufacturer sales representative and Rick Brown is in Business Development with Health Providers Choice.
‘We hired a great staff we feel will take us to the next level,? Patten said. ‘We feel our general manager is the best in the business.?
Paul Kastran, formerly of Hamlin Pub in Independence Township and Moose Preserve Bar and Grill in Bloomfield Township, will run day-to-day operations in the bar and restaurant, Shotmakers Lounge.
Mark Galbraith, grounds superintendent, returns to the Maybee Road golf course after a five-year absence.
Their plan is to make Fountains the best place for golf, food, entertainment, and banquets in the Clarkston area, Patten said.
‘We’ll be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken on our grill every day, whether you are a golfer or not,? he said. ‘Having lunch while overlooking our course and fountain in Spring Lake is an experience that other venues in our area can’t offer.?
Menu items, greens fees, and banquet hall prices have all been reduced, he said.
‘The first thing we did was lower the rates,? Loridas said.
‘We want to give the community something it deserves ? a private country-club setting at public prices,? Wint said.
‘We want to make this the place to go in Clarkston. That’s what we’re going to do.?
Eighteen holes during the week are $24, on weekends, $25, with an extra $14 if you want a cart. They will offer specials for early bird golfers, as well as seniors and juniors.
During music season, they’ll have pre- and post-DTE concert specials, 10 percent off food and drink.
‘Bring in your ticket stubs,? Brown said.
To run the restaurant, they are bringing in owners and staff of Nina’s Comfort Food Cafe, moving from their Sashabaw Road location.
‘This is an awesome idea,? said Wendy Upcott, who owns and operates the restaurant, which is also family owned. ‘It’s going to be great.?
They will continue to offer home-cooked meals from scratch, vegetarian dishes and soups, fresh fruit and vegetable, and the rest of their entree and dessert menu.
‘We’ll have the same food, and same crew,? Upcott said.
The restaurant will feature the Shotmaker’s Wall of Fame, featuring golfers in the Shotmakers of the Year Tournament.
Players can compete in four flights: Men; Women; Seniors, 55 and older; and Juniors, 16 and younger.
Player making an exceptional shot during play at Fountains can submit a description of the shot to the pro shop. At the end of each week, the Shot Maker of the Week will be chosen from all the daily entries.
The player’s picture and description of the shot will be posted on the Wall of Fame. At the end of each month, a Shot Maker of the Month will be selected from the weekly winners. They will automatically qualify to compete in the Shot Maker of the Year Shoot Out at the end of the season
Weekly and monthly prizes will be awarded and Shot Maker of the Year will win the grand prize and have his or her name and shot added to the Shot Maker of the Year Trophy.
Grand opening will be at the end of June or beginning of July.
‘It’s going to be a big one,? Patten said. ‘We expect 300-400 people. We’ll have grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, brats ? it will be a major bash.?
For banquet, bar, restaurant, and golf course information, call Fountains Golf and Banquet Center, 6060 Maybee Road, at 248-625-3731 or check their website at www.golfthefountains.com.