A ‘workingman’s club’ New country club owner plans to make facility center for family, recreation, events
One thing Brian Boyle made perfectly clear: The new Uniontown Country Club is an everyman’s club whose focus will be on family-oriented activities, fine dining, golf, recreation and entertainment. While it will continue to operate as a private club, Boyle said the facility will be open to everyone.
Boyle and his wife in September finalized purchasing the club, which they will operate under the name Bailey Lane LLC. Boyle, an executive vice president at Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC) in the University Technology Park, explained a committee generally operates most country clubs and membership isn’t given to everyone.
“That’s one reason why so many country clubs today are finding themselves in financial trouble. We won’t operate that way,” Boyle added.
“It’s going to be a workingman’s club. No one will look down on anyone. People won’t have to be sponsored and be approved by a committee for membership,” he said.
By the time his vision for the club is complete, he will have invested nearly $3.5 million in the project, which includes $1.562 million to buy the real estate.
That vision includes, the first phase, which will be completed by February 2011 and the rest in 2010 and 2013; installing a new swimming pool, redoing and lighting the tennis courts, remodeling the club house to take advantage of its view of the mountains east of Uniontown, adding a 19th Hole where golfers can go after a game without having to use the main dining facilities; opening a cigar room, installing a new roof and new air-conditioning.
“We are also installing a new, 40-foot flag pole and will dedicate it to the veterans from our area, the people who defended the country, some of whom died doing so,” Boyle, a Navy veteran, said.
Ed Balling of Fairchance Construction is contractor and Altman and Altman Architects did the design work.
Boyle also plans to revive some of the former events at the club, including a New Year’s Eve and Halloween party.
“There will be something going on every day here,” he said, adding the club could hold trivia matches and outdoor summer concerts, in addition to the card parties that have been held at the club for years. “Maybe we could also offer a cooking class or tennis parties,” he said.
One big event coming up will be the Pro Am Golf Tournament beginning Oct 6. with a $10,000 purse. Boyle hopes it will “get Uniontown Country Club on the map and get us on the PGA schedule.
“We will hold charity events to show we are part of the fabric of the community. Proceeds will go to the United Way,” he said. Boyle said he plans to offer Indiana and Penn State universities an opportunity to send culinary arts students to the club to help in their education. “Let the country club be a classroom and a lab. If we hit our business model, we are going to need more people in the future and this will be a great way to find them.”
The club employs 42 people at present, a number Boyle said is likely to grow. New management includes Rich Conwell as general manager and PGA head golf professional; Justin Schehr, executive chef; Carol Lee Stock, membership director; Theresa Taylor, event coordinator; Karla Ramage, office manager; and Trey Mallicone, assistant golf professional and golf outing coordinator. Operated for nearly 100 years as a private facility, the country club membership and board of directors approved selling the property earlier this year when it fell on hard financial times.
When asked why he thinks he will be able to make it profitable when it hadn’t been before, Boyle said, “I think the focus now is there will be one voice. Decisions won’t be made by committee.
“Before, you had a board of directors and didn’t have the flexibility that one owner has,” he added. He also consulted with a company that specializes in helping turn around bankrupt golf courses and similar properties to develop a viable business plan.
Boyle beat out two other offers for the property, he said, one to turn the club into a public golf course and the other to develop housing on the real estate. Boyle’s plan comes closest to retaining the club as a community center.
“A lot of my customers have told me that with my drive and energy, we can turn this place and make it work,” Boyle said.
Another key to success will be that, within three years, management at the club will have its own stake in the operation through profit-sharing.
“They will have equity in the club and they know if they do well, it will bring more business in,” Boyle said.
He also is counting on completion of nearby highway projects to bring growth to the area.
“I have lived here for 10 years and love this area. We have home prices here that are very affordable. But once you move here, what do you do? We want to offer affordable family activities,” he said.
“We are also aiming at the business community. We are going to start a 55-minute lunch where from the time you arrive and have valet parking to the time you leave it will be 55 minutes or less or you get your meal free,” he said.
“There are no initiation fees and we have different membership levels for families, individuals and social memberships,” he said, which range from $300 up to $2,000 annually.
Membership options include a full family golf package, individual golf package, young professional family membership, young professional individual membership, athletic pool/tennis membership and a social/dining membership.
Banquet facilities also will be available to non-members.
“I do believe there is a pent up demand for this here,” he said. Boyle hosted a Sept. 5 reception where he announced plans for the club. Some 600 invitations were sent, 300 people were expected, but 400 attended. “We have about 40 to 45 members who have rejoined the club. There are nearly 400 members at present.
“The community desperately wants a place where it can enjoy socializing in a safe environment,” he said.
“We really want to be a nice place where people on a summer day can enjoy the pool, play tennis and come back that evening for a concert,” he said.
For more information, call 724-437-3831 or go online to www.uniontowncc.com.