Now known as the Marcellus (N.Y.) Golf Club, the 18-hole public-private golf course will open this year, despite two judgments filed against it last year and multiple debts.
The former Links at Sunset Ridge in Marcellus, N.Y., will open for the golfing season despite rumors to the contrary and financial judgements filed against the course, the Syracuse, N.Y.-based Syracuse.com reported.
The 18-hole golf course, the home course for Onondaga Community College, will be open when the golf season starts in Central New York with a new name, new phone number and a new owner, Syracuse.com reported.
Marcellus native DJ Van Keuren purchased the public-private golf course from previous owners Mark and Karen Clark in 2013. Van Keuren, who lives in Denver, initially changed the name from The Links at Sunset Ridge to Sunset Ridge Golf Club. Now Van Keuren has changed the name again. The new name for the start of the 2015 season is Marcellus Golf Club, Syracuse.com reported.
“We will be open,” Van Keuren said. “This community loves this course and this course is a big part of this community.”
Van Keuren said the 2014 season was rough and when he purchased the course in 2013 he also accepted all of the debts that were attached to the property. He said the course was in a financial mess, Syracuse.com reported.
In the past five months, two judgements have been filed in Onondaga County clerk’s office against Sunset Ridge Enterprises LLC, Van Keuren’s company. In November a $120,957 judgement was filed by Barbara Reich and in March a $74,384 judgement was filed by the Clarks. The Clarks could not be reached for comment, Syracuse.com reported.
Van Keuren said he’s aware of the judgements and hopes that by financially restructuring the company’s overall operations it will help to reduce the club’s debts, Syracuse.com reported.
“When I took over the company, I took over all of its liabilities and debts,” Van Keuren said. “I got it all and it’s one of the main issues. But I took the good with the bad.”
Michael Morschauser will take over as General Manager. Morschauser was named the club’s PGA Professional last year, and was previously the assistant golf professional at Skaneateles Country Club, Syracuse.com reported.
“One of the major reasons I came back was the opportunity to improve a golf course that has been so loved in the area,” Morschauser said. “Everyone considers this their club. There’s always been a core of membership that always supported the club. It just seems like everything is going to be put in place now.”
The club will continue to be the home of golf for Onondaga Community College and will host tournaments throughout the golf season, Syracuse.com reported.
One of the issues that hurt the club during the 2014 season was the food the beverage department. This year the club has hired Peppinos Restaurant and Catering Company. Peppino’s, which has a location in Syracuse, will run a full service restaurant, Syracuse.com reported.
“We are very excited about Peppino’s coming in,” Van Keuren said.
The restaurant will be opening soon, but Van Keuren did not have an exact date. The Pro Shop at the golf course is already open. Van Keuren said when course superintendent Scott Winkelman declares that the greens are open, the course will be open too, Syracuse.com reported.
“Right now we’re waiting on the weather and for all the snow to melt,” he said. “But when golf season starts in CNY, we’ll be open.”
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