By Sue Moore
Golfers and guests will enjoy some new upgrades at Indian Run Golf Course this season.
This year, owners Matt Van Acker and Mark Fink, have upgraded the interior of the clubhouse. A whole new bar area has been built, the banquet room repainted, and a deck extension has enlarged the outdoor area overlooking the gazebo and the 18th green.
New mowers for the greens and fairways have been purchased and efforts are being made to improve the turf quality. Tree removal and replanting began last year and the driving range was revamped with bent grass.
The banquet facility hosted about 20 events in 2013 and coordinator, Sue Green, is looking to expand that this season with a new chef from South Carolina, and the banquet hall that will seat up to 200.
Since purchasing the business in 2010, Van Acker and Fink have made many improvements.
As the first order of business, they improved the drainage issues on the back nine that was across 29th Street. It was excavated in 2012 with drainage trenches installed, so carts can traverse the fairways now.
“We cater to the locals and have even organized a ladies league on Monday night, due to a request from one of the homeowners on the course,” says Van Acker.
Adds Van Acker, “Golf, food, and beer, are what we have to offer. We’ll be open as soon as the snow melts.”
Owners Have Golf Background
Matt Van Acker and Mark Fink, owners of Indian Run Golf Course, both have a background in golf and always dreamed of owning a golf course, a dream which came true in 2010 when they purchased Indian Run.
Van Acker is a graduate of Michigan State University’s turf grass program and worked at Brookshire Golf Course in Williamston as director of golf, greens superintendent and pro shop manager.
Fink, also an MSU graduate, owns Watershed Bar & Grill in Haslett. He grew up on Glenbrier Golf Course in Perry, which his parents owned. Both men played junior college golf.
They live in the Lansing area, but commute to the Scotts area during the season, with Van Acker taking the weekday turn and Fink overseeing the kitchen and bar on weekends, but both cover each other’s duties.
Of their decision to purchase Indian Run, Van Acker says, “These were the best facilities for the price.”
The clubhouse was built for weddings and parties of all sorts, and was another big reason they decided to purchase this particular course.
It’s been difficult for some people to find the golf course, located in the southeast corner of the county on country roads, Van Acker says, but now with GPS and smart phones, it’s much easier to find the facility.