April 19, 2007: New Public Golf Course Offers Unique Amenities, Full-Service Restaurant

The Club at Caughdenoy Creek owners Tim and Todd Stevener refer to their 146-acre public golf course in the town of Hastings as their 20-year dream realized.

“We are avid golfers who enjoy the game as well as the experience,” said Todd Stevener. “When we acquired this facility, we made it our goal to focus on providing services you don’t always find on a public course so that people feel welcome, attended to, and have a better choice when deciding where to play. That’s something we’re passionate about.”

In addition to a challenging, 18-hole course dotted with ponds and stately trees, the facility features a pro shop, full-service restaurant and bar, a deck facing the course, a driving range, and a “snack shack” which provides golfers heading to the “back nine” with snacks and beverages during the summer.

“These are not new concepts, but there are not a lot of public courses that offer these kinds of services,” Stevener said. “Our primary motivation is to provide people with the level of service they’d expect at a private club or resort course.”

A self-professed “foodie,” Stevener currently serves as the chef for The Club’s restaurant, The Creekside Restaurant and Bar. Although the menu features standard favorites such as burgers and Buffalo wings, it also features more upscale items such as Stevener’s signature Chicken Pesto Penne and “The Caughdenoy,” a roast beef sandwich with grilled onions, Russian dressing and smoked Gouda cheese. The restaurant, which is open to the public, is also available for private parties and events. According to Stevener, plans are currently underway for an expansion in order to increase seating capacity, and may include an outside pavilion or an open-air deck with a bar. The owners’ five-year plan is to build a second-story addition on the building to accommodate larger parties and banquets.

The Club began its first year of operation in 2006.

Stevener said that because of its natural resources, he believes that Oswego County has the potential to be a recreational destination. This, he explained, was a strong factor when making the decision to purchase the facility.

“We began the process of acquiring this facility three years ago by analyzing the existing business, developing our business plan and setting up our financing. We did all this with the support of Operation Oswego County and SUNY Oswego’s Small Business Development Center,” he said.

After acquiring the business, the owners extended what was a seasonal restaurant to a year-round operation.
The $1.3 million project received funding assistance from the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and a Small Business Administration 504 loan through Operation Oswego County (OOC) and HSBC Bank. The project will create eight jobs and retain six.

“Without this type of assistance on a local level, our business would not have been possible. Now we want to prove that we can be another business success story in Oswego County,” Stevener said.

“OOC and the IDA were pleased to provide assistance for this project. In addition to focusing on attributes such as workforce, infrastructure and financial incentives to remain competitive with other communities and attract new businesses to our area, Oswego County must continue to invest in and enhance the quality of our cultural and recreational amenities as well. The Club at Caughdenoy Creek is an example of a business that will enhance the quality of life in our community.” said L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive director of OOC, a private, non-profit organization working to enhance and protect the economic climate of Oswego County.

“The Club at Caughdenoy Creek is a great addition not only to the Hastings/Central Square community, but it also contributes to the diversity of recreational opportunities available in Oswego County. I look forward to their continued growth and success,” said Oswego County Legislator Fred Beardsley, District 9, Hastings.

Season passes are available and leagues are currently forming at The Club at Caughdenoy Creek. For more information, call 676-4653.

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