Oakview a well-kept secret
SLIPPERY ROCK — Oakview Golf Club isn't a private golf establishment anymore.
It's not even totally about golf anymore.
“There are a lot of things about this place people don't know about,” Oakview general manager and club golf pro Jesse Horner said.
Joel Adams and Darrin Colson are in their eighth year of owning the facility. It is a semi-private club with the general public welcome to use the course.
Calling ahead for tee times is highly preferred.
“If we know people are coming, we can serve them better,” Horner said.
Oakview hosts approximately 25 outings — many for charities — including the Robin Cole/Sid Bream celebrity outing today. Slippery Rock High School football, Rotary and United Way of Butler County are among the other charitable outings slated for the course this year.
Oakview will also be the first of eight stops on the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour this season. That event is June 15.
“That's the growth of this game,” Horner said. “We are going to support that program.”
Two years ago, Oakview hosted four wedding receptions in its banquet facility. Last year, 11 wedding receptions were hosted there.
Class reunions, retirement and graduation parties also take place at Oakview.
“Birthdays have been celebrated here and we have specials for that,” Horner said. “Our restaurant offers dinner specials during the week.
“Most people don't even know we have a restaurant here. People can come here just to eat.”
While Horner declares that “we're more than just a golf course,” he says that “we are a golf course first.”
He is in his third year with Oakview and the golf club's membership has increased to 350 during that time “and there's always turnover,” Horner said.
Seventy percent of Oakview's membership is over 50 years of age.
“Younger people have time management issues these days and have trouble finding time to play,” Horner said. “I'm a PGA pro and I don't play anywhere near as often as I used to.”
Some of the over-50 members play often, however. John Carpenter plays four to five times a week at Oakview. Bob Jarecki and Bill Uram play at least three times a week.“We've got guys who play 125 rounds a year,” Horner said. “This course is very walkable and we encourage walking.“The golf business is very competitive in this area. We have to suit our membership and make our course as attractive as possible.“We're tweaking something with it all of the time. We make the course very playable, yet keep it challenging. You can play a round of golf here and not lose a ball,” he added.Four riding greens mowers and two fairway unit mowers were bought by ownership during the winter to better maintain the course. The prior equipment on the grounds was more than 15 years old.Cost of the new equipment was more than $100,000.“Our owners are investing in the product and I give them credit for that,” Horner said.Oakview is planning an open house in June to introduce more people to the facility. Golf will be discounted and snacks will be served.Non-members can walk 18 holes for $40, play with a cart for $55. Horner said twilight and weekday specials are available.Much of this information is available at www.oakviewgolfclub.com.Adam Schultz has been the course superintendent for eight years. Cheryl Covert manages food operations and Scheryl Schmeider is the event coordinator.“You're only as good as your staff and we've got a good one,” Horner said.
