Greg Missick bought the Geneva, N.Y., property last week, and plans to retain the golf amenity while developing a family winery on-site. Missick noted that the golf course is not “plug-and-play,” however, and requires a true irrigation system, which could push the property’s reopening to next spring.

Greg Missick, president of Los Angeles-based GJM Engineering, bought Seneca Lake Country Club in Geneva, N.Y., last week, and plans to retain golf while developing a winery, the Geneva-based Finger Lakes Times reported.

Missick did not divulge how much he paid for the lakeside course, which hosted its last golf last fall. According to Ontario County, the property is assessed at $1.51 million, the Times reported.

Missick has made much of his money as a developer in California, but is investing heavily in the Finger Lakes. He and his wife, Elizabeth, a Rochester-area native, are renovating the old Sisters of Mercy retreat into their new home as part of their $1.1 million purchase. On that parcel, they also plan to build 84 single-family, two-bedroom homes geared for people 55 and older on 16 of the site’s 51 acres, the Times reported.

At Seneca Lake Country Club, significant renovations are coming, Missick said. “[The course] wasn’t ready for plug-and-play,” he said, adding that a consultant will be on site to evaluate the facility.

The clubhouse will become more of an entertainment hub with an extension of the family winery on site, as well as tastings. (Beer also will be sold). He expects to build a new kitchen and hopes to generate income from weddings and parties, as well as evening entertainment, the Times reported.

“The golf is on the down-cycle. We know that,” said Missick. “The winery is going to take care of overhead costs.”

Still, while golf may be in a downward spiral, that does not mean it’s down forever, he said. And while the good news is that Seneca Lake will be re-opening, it may not be this year because too much work needs to be done, he said. The course needs a true irrigation system, said Missick, and that would be best done before winter hits so the course can be ready for play next spring, the Times reported.

“Do we bite the bullet and go ahead and start digging now?” he asked.

The other alternative would be to open soon and close earlier, he said, adding, however, that he would need to hire practically a whole new staff because many of them retired after the club closed last fall, the Times reported.

One rumor he wanted to dispel is that he has other plans for the course, like another housing development. “That’s not going to happen,” he said. “I like the place the way it is. It’s a beautiful part of the country.”