LONE TREE GOLF CLUB
6262 S. Mountain Blvd., Chandler
Green fees: $29-$69
Tee times: (480) 219-0830
Website: www.lonetreegolf18.com
Like most hard-working head pros, Greg Avant only had a “pipe dream’’ about the possibility of some day buying his own course. It’s the reality of the industry, in that you don’t get rich working in golf.
But unlike so many of his peers, Avant broke through that ownership barrier in April when he and a long-time friend from his native Minnesota, Tom Murhpy, purchased Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler.
“It’s a pretty neat story, and it goes way, way back,’’ said Avant, who had been the head pro at Lone Tree since it opened in 2001 right up until the day he and Murphy bought the course and its clubhouse from Pulte Homes for slightly more than $1.5 million.
“Murph was the coach of the ‘other team’ when I went to high school -- a private high school in Rochester called Lourdes. I played for Mayo, which is the public high school in Rochester, and we had some good battles even though they always won state. And even before that, I had caddied for Murph at Rochester Country Club, and later on I worked for him as a bartender at a place he owned called Dooley’s.’’
Murphy also had been a caddie in his younger days, holding the distinction of being Tony Jacklin’s looper when the Brit captured the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine. The connection was the luck of the draw and a USGA rule (prior to 1973) that all caddies had to be local.
“We still like to joke that we’re both former caddies and bar tenders,’’ Avant added.
It’s an improbable partnership, as Murphy (54) is 15 years older than Avant (39). But, according to Murphy, “it’s all about a friendship that came about through playing the game.’’
“Gosh, I still don’t feel (like a golf course owner), because Greg does everything,’’ Murphy said of the 50-50 partnership. “I know that as early as 2002, Greg had his eye on Lone Tree, and I’d played it for years and really liked it. So I guess in the end, it was a dream come true for both of us.’’
The easygoing Murphy, who refers to Avant as “Chief,’’ said he plans to eventually retire in Phoenix and help out with the course. He said he never thought twice about being Avant’s partner.
“I trust him,’’ said Murphy, who has now won five state titles in his 28 years coaching at Lourdes, and still owns the bar in Rochester. “Greg is very sharp, knows the business, and people really like him.’’
Avant said the same is true of Murphy, which is why he’s so excited about the future.
“I was so lucky to meet Tom when I did,’’ Avant said of the past. “And I was lucky to have worked for Pulte Homes for nine years, because they are a phenomenal company that helped me learn the business. Had either of those pieces not fell into place, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.’’
“Here” is Lone Tree, a moderately priced public course that is located off Riggs Road near Gilbert Road in the gated community known as Solera. At a little under 7,000 yards, it’s a solid test with a variety of fun holes, including some outstanding par 3s and 5s.
“The amazing thing to me is that we’ve been open for five years and people drive by our gate every day and still don’t know we’re open to the public,’’ he said of what might be his chief challenge.
The good news is, Avant’s initial two missions have been accomplished.
Those include a recent overseeding which he labeled as “our best ever,’’ as well as a new restaurant called Coach & Willie’s at Lone Tree.
“Coach & Willie’s already has a strong reputation in downtown Phoenix, and it’s going to be huge for us, too,’’ Avant said. “Having great food to go with a great golf course, well, that’s a real nice start.’’
According to Avant, the hardest part of being the new owner is “dealing with employees.”
“We’ve got 52 employees, and if they’ve got issues, you can’t push them off on someone else,’’ he said. “But we’ve got a fantastic staff, and for the most part, they get it.’’
And the best part?
“Well, the hours are a lot longer, no question,’’ Avant said. “ But I don‘t really mind because it‘s cool being able to work for yourself.’’
|
