Photo courtesy of JNewberry CC
Newberry Country Club, Hole No. 1
Newberry Country Club: A Revitalized Upper Peninsula Treasure By Chris Lewis Timing really is nearly everything. And what it isn’t, circumstance makes up for. - Steven Van Zandt, actor and musician
ithout question, this quote could be directly applied to Lance Byrns, the owner of the Upper Peninsula’s Newberry Country Club, especially last summer.
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While visiting his wife’s relatives in nearby Curtis and McMillan, as he had throughout the last three decades, he decided to attend a public board meeting with his father-inlaw, in which the financial state of the country club was discussed. In the midst of the meeting, Byrns raised his hand and mentioned he would like to help the club recover from its recent financial losses so it could remain opened to the public. Little did he know at the time, but in less than three months, he
would not only help the country club financially – he would purchase it. But before he could acquire the property, he set out to determine exactly what he would need to do to help restore the country club’s popularity. After meeting with Newberry community members and attending additional board meetings, he determined the best method to increase business on a short and long-term basis. He would have to renovate the club’s golf course and return it to its initial design.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE