New Owners Begin Enhancements to Timber Trace GC

Renovations to the Pinckney, Mich. clubhouse, which features a pro shop, tavern and small restaurant, include a new bar and furnishings, windows, paint and other fixtures. Damaged trees have been removed and overgrown areas have been cleared, as well. Club Director Clif McLellan, one of seven owner-stakeholders in the course, says there are plans to incorporate a par-3 course within the existing layout for juniors.

New owners took over Timber Trace Golf Club in Pinckney, Mich. in March and have already invested in improving grounds maintenance, removing damaged trees, clearing overgrown areas of the course and other upgrades, the Livingston Daily reported. Renovations to the clubhouse, which features a pro shop, tavern and small restaurant, include a new bar and furnishings, windows, paint and other fixtures.

Club Director Clif McLellan is one of seven owner-stakeholders in the course, the Daily reported.

“I live here, and it’s a great course,” McLellan said of why he wanted to update the club. “It needed someone who was here and could take care of it and make it a nice place to play.”

McClellan spent most of his career as a toxicologist, the Daily reported. Now retired from the science world, he joked that taking over the club sounded like a great idea after a few beers. The idea stuck.

He told the Daily other stakeholders in the course include people who live in the area.

“For me, I wanted to include as many people from around here as possible. I needed their support,” he said.

He told the Daily grounds maintenance staff has completed a lot of clearing, repairing, mowing and fertilizing on the course.

“We’ve improved regular maintenance,” he said.

They removed about 30 trees, including some that had fallen, the Daily reported. They cut tall grasses back, including around a pond, which had been obscured.

He said improvements are bringing some golfers back to the course who had stopped coming, the Daily reported. He said about five golf outings were booked last year at the course. Twenty are booked now.

“I think next year we’ll see a good increase,” he said.

Part-owner Joey Pena runs marketing and social media for the club, the Daily reported.

“We are currently in the process of revitalizing the course,” he wrote Daily in an e-mail. “The public feedback has been positive and inspiring. Locals are excited to have their course back.”

McLellan said they also plan to expand the food menu at the newly renovated bar and restaurant, which currently serves hot dogs, hamburgers, brisket and brats, the Daily reported.

“We’ll add some sandwiches, maybe fried fish. We might do pizza or chicken wings,” he said.

Merchandise in the pro shop is still arriving, the Daily reported. They have a new logo and will sell shirts, pants and shorts, as well as other items.

“We’re waiting on some stuff. Some of it’s taking a long time to get here,” McLellan said, adding that supply chain issues caused some delays.

A weekly youth camp for children 6-15 starts in June, the Daily reported.

“We’re going to put in a par-3 course within the course for the kids, so they don’t have to play from 400 yards. They can play from 150 yards,” McLellan told the Daily, also noting that signs will be installed to mark the par-3 course.

He said the par-3 course also will be option for some elderly golfers and beginners, the Daily reported. McClellan said they also plan to host weddings and other events.

“We’ve had some inquiries to have weddings and parties out here. I’d also like to have music out here,” he said.