Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | March 21, 2022 | wbjournal.com G O L F & M E E T I N G S G U I D E FOCUS Reviving golf in Gilbertville BY SLOANE M. PERRON WBJ Staff Writer S ince opening its course in 1966, generations of golfers have en- joyed the greens at Dunroamin Country Club in the Hardwick village of Gilbertville. Tony Staiti and his father built the 77- acre golf course together, and through- out the years four generations of the Staiti family have overseen the course. While the course was popular with locals, Staiti said a series of economic recessions coupled with a number of outside factors lead to dwindling memberships. Faced with the financial reality of declining golf attendance, Staiti decided to close the course in 2018 and turn half the property into a solar farm, in order to receive a steady source of income. Staiti was in the process of negotiat- ing contracts for another solar farm on Saved by an outside investor and a boost in the industry, a family-run course renews its lease on life this summer the property when he was approached by Kenneth Uracius, owner of Stone & Lime Inc., an historic restoration busi- ness in North Brookfield. Admittedly not a golfer himself, Uracius saw the golf course and country club as an investment opportunity with endless future potential. e two men made the business deal with a handshake in a golf cart, and since then major construction has gone into restoring the greens and overhauling the former club house. e serendipitous timing was not just perfect for Staiti, who is happy to stay on as a consultant and see the golf course come back to life, but it also reflects the high demand for golf courses in a post-lockdown world, especially among younger golfers. e former Dunroamin Country Club is a microcosm reflecting the turbulent ups and downs the entire golf course industry has experienced over the last three decades, said Elaine Gebhardt, executive director of the New England Golf Course Owners Association. "e courses quickly became really busy because there were so few options out there for people during the pandemic. e other thing that came into play was the ability to work from home led to more flexibility in peoples' work/play schedules." Gebhardt said about the boost the coronavirus pandemic provided to golf. A local landmark revived e revival of the Gilbertville golf course combines the full support and golf expertise of the previous owner with the future vision of its present owner. Frank Kulig works as the golf course superintendent at Ludlow Country Club and was recruited by Uracius to oversee the restoration of the golf course and clubhouse construction. Kulig himself grew up playing golf on the Staiti fam- ily-run course and is excited to oversee its new transformation, especially aer the course's hiatus le a hole in the small community. "People were sad when this place closed, but now the excitement level is high. I would not even be in the golf course business if it were not for this place," Kulig said. Kulig has witnessed a boom in the golf industry, especially among younger generations who were looking for some- thing to do that was socially distanced, nature-based, and calming during the stressful lockdown periods. At Ludlow Country Club, the number of junior golfers jumped from eight to 70 over the past two years, Kulig said. is rapid growth, particularly among younger players, is a trend felt through- out the industry, said Gebhardt. e new blood is leading to a stronger focus on family-oriented rounds, women's programs, and diversity and inclusion. In order to retain this next generation of golfers, who will sustain the industry moving forward, golf courses are relax- ing previous strict etiquette rules and clothing standards, Gebhardt said. Kulig's goal is to take part in this new growth by attracting experienced golfers, new golfers, or even reaching out to those who have no interest in the sport but are just looking for a local place to socialize and celebrate milestones. Every aspect of the business is being reinvisioned, starting with the course's name, which will be Hardwick Crossings Country Club. In addition to the golf course, Hardwick Crossings will feature a full tavern-style restaurant, bar, and a venue for special events. e hope is the golf course and sub- sequent events like weddings will draw Elaine Gebhardt, NEG- COA executive director (Top) The former Dunroamin Country Club installed solar panels on its property. (Above) The course is to be renamed Hardwick Crossings Country Club. Tony Staiti, former owner of Dunroamin, in a golf cart with his daughter, Christine PHOTOS | SLOANE M. PERRON PHOTO | COURTESY OF DUNROAMIN COUNTRY CLUB

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