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SALEM -- Salem Hills Golf and Country Club reopened last spring after the Ray Bricker family bought the 147-acre, 18-hole golf course at auction for $880,000 and leased it to Ben Broderick.
Broderick served as the PGA golf pro at the course for 17 years, until December 2015 when the former owner retired and closed it.
He wanted to get his hands on the golf course because the golf pro inside him said there was no better golf course layout around.
Broderick said the golf course did well through the summer and, now, with midwestern winter weather tightening its grip on fairways and greens, the restaurant, with an authentic Thai menu, offers a warm invitation to the public.
The Salem Hills Golf and Country Club restaurant and clubhouse is no longer on what Broderick called "social member" venue.
"No more, social members," he said, "the public is welcome to every part, the grill room, etc. … anyone can come whenever they want."
He said from now until March 15, the restaurant is open during the weekend, that is Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner all three days.
Broderick said Friday is fish fry day, Saturday is the Queen of Hearts drawing day and that is up to $5,500.
The primary focus remains on the golf course but Broderick said the restaurant is a year-round venue where customers can enjoy the golf environment, even with snow on the course.
When the restaurant trimmed back from summer to winter hours, he picked up on some chatter it was closing.
After 10 months operating Salem Hills Golf and Country Club, Broderick said he made some mistakes, but not so fast about closing -- golf course, restaurant or otherwise -- not true.
Broderick restated, "The entire facility is open to the public."
"We're keeping things consistent," he said, "open for meetings, outings and clubs."
Through summer, he said the golf club retained about two-thirds of its golf membership and he is in the midst of signing a five-year lease with the Bricker family.
"We're getting ready to sign," he said, "they want this to be a golf course. One hundred percent for sure. They're doing everything … and we're going to make it happen."
And with a second year to look forward to, Broderick maintains his availability to make arrangements for any customer request.
"Email, call personally, I can make arrangements," he said. His email is bnbroderick@yahoo.com and his phone number is 330-207-2220.
When he leased the Salem Hills Golf and Country Club last spring, he said, "Now that I have this opportunity I'm going to make the most of it."
lshields@salemnews.net