Business & Tech
Ann Arbor Country Club Driving to Boost Business
Expanding services and supporting community causes are part of the strategy.
Despite the slow economy, the Ann Arbor Country Club in Webster Township has seen a steady uptick in business over the past year.
"We're still here and trying to improve on what we provide," said club representative Mike Weikle.
The club, which was established in 1963, has had its share of financial struggles in the past few years. But Weikle has been working hard to keep the club viable. He's kept the dining room and L.A. Pub open to the public on a limited schedule through the winter, and he plans to expand the hours as the weather warms up.
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On March 19, the club hosted the Education Foundation of Dexter's which 250 people attended, raising more than $50,000. Weikle said the event was one of the largest the AACC has hosted.
He said the club is a big supporter of the school district and local nonprofit groups. It is donating 10 percent of its membership fees to the Education Foundation through April 30 and donated 10 percent of the proceeds from the club's St. Patrick's Day dinner to the Athletic Boosters Club of Dexter. In addition, the club is matching the Loch Alpine Neighborhood Association's $500 reward for information leading to the of vandals who spray painted several homes in the subdivision.
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This summer, Weikle is partnering with Dexter Community Services to offer golf camp at the club's golf course. Classes will be taught by professional golfer Frank McAuliffe. McAuliffe coaches the Dexter High School boys golf team, which along with the girls golf team uses the AACC golf course as its home course.
"We want to make golf kid-friendly," Weikle said. "A lot of what we're doing at the club are the suggestions of neighbors, like hosting neighborhood golf leagues."
The golf course is now offering limited public memberships. It also has a swimming pool, which this year will include "dive-in movies" for the family, adult swim nights and poolside wait service.
"Our hope is that Mike will continue to be successful with the club," said Peter Logan, who serves on the Loch Alpine Improvement Association board. "The best thing that can happen is that he'll get the club going and people will eat, swim and play golf there."
For more information on the Ann Arbor Country Club, visit its website or call 734-426-4693.
