Fire prompts sale of Lake Macbride golf course

In the middle of October Tom Wolfe typically prepares to store the golf clubs, the mowing equipment and the greens flags at his Lake Macbride Country Club and Golf Course.

Only, 2010 is different. This is the last time.

In the autumn of his life, Tom and his family, after operating the course he helped build 40 years ago, have sold it. Retirement is on the horizon.

“After fire destroyed the clubhouse we had to think about it,” Tom says. “We were going to rebuild but, at our age, we decided not to. We'd already built twice.”

The May 12 fire burned the two-story clubhouse completed in 1998. It had replaced the smaller clubhouse built in 1970 soon after the course opened.

Tom chuckles at the memories on a warm afternoon as he relaxes on the deck behind a makeshift clubhouse that's adjacent to the cleaned up foundation of the destroyed one.

“I set the course record with a 42 on the front nine and a 44 on the back,” he says. “Of course, I was the first one to play.”

Earlier this day Tom, 83 and still tall and lanky with an easy golf swing, proved he hasn't lost it.

“I just shot my age, 81,” he smiles. “Of course I know the course.”

Like the back of his hand. So, yes, it will be hard to leave. But, after putting out feelers, he's pleased that local entrepreneurs Mark and Lynette Pattison of Solon bought it, that they plan to rebuild the clubhouse bigger and better than before to include a supper club as well as a pro shop and restaurant.

“We're very proud of it,” Tom says. “I think we had something special to sell out here.”

Raised around Mount Vernon, Tom began playing golf at the old Hillcrest Country Club. After graduating from Cornell College in 1950, he learned all about business with the S.S. Kresge Co. and then as owner of Chansky Drug Store in Solon and Bauman's men's store in Mount Vernon.

In 1968 he pursued his dream, purchased 100 acres with a partner and dug in to create a golf course. Thirty acres were set aside for houses.

“You want to make the holes exciting and fun, but not too challenging that the golfer isn't going to have a good time.”

In 1970 the course opened with 20 members. Tom and his wife, Bitsi, were greenskeepers, bartenders, cooks and bottle washers. Their four children helped and include Jeff, who will remain as course superintendent.

Today, more than 200 members play. And, while Tom and Bitsi will retire to their Florida home, don't be surprised if you spot them here next year.

You see, they sold the course but retained lifetime memberships.