Slippery Rock course changes hands, has plans
SLIPPERY ROCK — The former Oakview Golf Club is back in the family.
Ralph Nicholas was instrumental in transforming the farmland surrounding Slippery Rock Creek into a 9-hole golf course in 1928. The property was sold to architect Wynn Tredway 17 years later.
Tredway, in turn, sold the course to Armco Steel in 1955. The Armco course was eventually renamed Oakview.
Nicholas is the great-cousin of Eric Prebula, who along with wife Julie and Eric's parents, Gary and Dawn Prebula, bought the 182-acre golf course and tri-level clubhouse in December. The new owners are changing the facility's name to Slippery Rock Golf Club & Events Center.
“I've played this course many times over the years,” Eric Prebula said. “My uncle (Peter Oesterling) and I planned on retiring in Slippery Rock, playing golf and fishing here.”
His grandparents owned and lived in a cottage near the golf course. Prebula was born in Butler, but his family relocated to Los Angeles when he was a toddler. It was in L.A. he met his wife, Julie.
His parents still live in California.
“Eric used to spend a lot of summers back here, seeing family and playing golf,” Julie said. “He's always loved this area.”
His grandparents died and his Uncle Peter, an Oakview club member, took up residence in the cottage. He later died in an accident.
The Prebulas own an insurance company — the Prebula Family Agency — that has 75 licensed agents over 13 states. The couple had been living in Austin, Texas, and decided to buy the cottage and move there.
“Our business is nationwide,” Julie explained. “It meant a lot to Eric to get that cottage. Besides, we're sunbirds and wanted to get out of the Texas heat.
“When we moved in, we had no intention of buying the golf course. That wasn't even on our mind.”
She found out about a “Wine Wednesday” held in Slippery Rock Park. The Prebulas decided to attend to meet some of their neighbors. They came across a realtor and discovered Oakview was for sale.
“He told us the facility had been up for sale for a few years and could probably be purchased for a reasonable price,” Eric said. “We became interested. I called my parents and they were interested. Next thing we knew, we owned a golf course.”Now they're working on turning it into much more than that.A new chef, Neal Huchingson, was hired recently. He is a former chef at Treesdale Golf Club and helped open Cooper's Station. The Slippery Rock Golf Club & Events Center's year-round restaurant is slated to open in April.“We haven't decided on the exact menu yet, but coming from Texas, I'm sure there will be some barbecue on there,” Julie said, laughing.The banquet room seats 300 and will be available for wedding receptions and other gatherings. Three bedrooms and a kitchen are available on the second floor and will be offered as a bridal suite or a stay-and-play package for a golf getaway.The pro shop will be stocked with a line of Slippery Rock Golf Club items. A Prebula insurance office will be on the grounds as well.“It won't be business as usual. It will be business as unusual,” Julie said. “We'll make every effort to attract new business while keeping the current members.“We respect the history that's here and it will be showcased. The loyal membership here is why this golf course is still here.”The facility will be offering Tempo Walk, a hands-free autonomous caddie that carries bags, coolers and other accessories — all while offering GPS yardage.“No other course in Butler County offers this feature,” said Mike Bosh, a representative of Club Car, which offers the product. “The golfer attaches a transmitter to his belt and Tempo Walk follows him around as he walks the course.”There will be 10 Tempo Walks available this season. There will also be 50 new Club Car carts with cushioned seats and modern conveniences.Corporate, regular, spouse, family and junior membership packages are available, along with a cart and driving range membership. “We have a package where a husband and wife buy a membership and they get two junior memberships (ages 13-25) for their kids free,” Julie said. “That's one of the new ways we're doing business.“Our daughter, Illyanna, has moved up from Austin and is our events coordinator. Our son, Indiana, will come up this summer to work the course because he needs a job.“This is a family deal for us. The facility as a whole has so much to offer and we plan to make full use of it,” she added.An open house is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. March 19 to showcase the facility.
What: Open houseWHEN: 3 to 7 p.m. March 19Where:Slippery Rock Golf Club & Events Center, formerly Oakview Golf Club
