FRANKLIN TWP — It’s all about keeping it in the family.

Wade and Doug Orloski officially took over ownership of Mount Chestnut Golf Course Aug. 2, buying the facility from Wade’s father, Jake Orloski.

Doug Orloski, who turns 25 Aug. 31, is Wade’s nephew. Wade lives and works in Knoxville, Tenn.

“The long-term plan is for me to eventually buy him out and own the course,” Doug said. “For now, my role is to run it.”

Mount Chestnut’s nine-hole course was built by Jake Orloski more than 30 years ago. Wade remembers helping in the construction.

“I grew up on that course,” he said. “Helping my dad create it makes it special to me.

“Yeah, we want it passed down through the family. That’s important to all of us. Our whole family plays golf. We have a passion for it.”

They have a passion for sports in general. Doug Orloski is a Slippery Rock High and Westminster College graduate. He played football at both schools.

Orloski still holds the javelin record at Slippery Rock with a heave of 186 feet, six inches.

But golf has been on his mind for years now.

“I’ve dreamed of running this place for a long time,” he admitted. “This is like taking care of home.”

And some sprucing up of ‘home’ is being planned.

Among changes coming to Mount Chestnut are renovation of the clubhouse, installing new dividers and pads to the driving range area, providing golfers more room to practice shorts off grass near the driving range, defining the fairways and making some of the greens more golfer friendly.

“We want to make this course more of a practice facility because that’s exactly what it is,” Wade Orloski said. “It’s a great place for anyone to stop by for a quick nine holes and it’s a great place to learn the game.

“We’ll cater to kids who are just starting to play and to senior citizens. But anyone can come here to work on their game and we’re hoping the community uses the course that way.”

Doug Orloski said the current clubouse will be expanded over the next two years and “we hope to make it more than just a clubhouse.”

The golf course itself will remain nine holes for the immediate future.

Jake Orloski continues to help out with the facility, mowing grass and working on the upkeep of the grounds.

“He’ll still be around helping me out,” Doug said. “My grandfather loves this place.”

Among the specials coming to Mount Chestnut will be “Date Night,” a buy one, get one free offer on the driving range from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday nights.

“We haven’t used the lights much here, but we plan to use them more often,” Doug said. “We’re just giving the facility a face-lift is all. We want local people to enjoy it.”