Rick Smith Agrees to Purchase Treetops Resort
GAYLORD, MI - - World Renowned teaching professional and golf course designer Rick Smith announced an agreement this past week to purchase the award-winning Treetops Resort located on the outskirts of the Alpine Village of Gaylord Michigan. This new venture along with Rick's success as one of the world's top golf instructors and golf course designers makes him a leading renaissance man in the golf industry.
Smith, with a prominent group of Detroit based investors, agreed to acquire the property from the Melling family who has owned and operated the resort since the late Harry Melling purchased the property in 1983. The selling price was undisclosed at the time of signing.
The distinguished list of investors include former Ford Motor Company C.E.O.- Harold (Red) Poling, Former Daimler Chrysler C.E.O. -Robert Eaton, Al Wisne-former owner of Pico Corporation, John Bates- Chairman of Heidtman Steel, Bob Lanigan-Former C.E.O. of Owens Illinois, land-planning pioneer Bob Sierra, and The Melling Family will retain a minority interest in the Resort.
Rick feels the fit with these investors are a perfect match. "We all share a passion for the game of golf and have been successful in business. With the potential that exists at Treetops it was a natural progression to come together on this exciting venture. I'm elated to have some of the nation's leading business people stand behind me on this project." Rick said.
The acquisition includes over 4,000 acres of scenic terrain, which the group intends to develop via a long-term master plan that includes a major face-lift to the resort amenities. Hotel room upgrades, additional resort amenities for families and kids, membership and real estate opportunities as well as additional golf holes are all options that will be considered.
"I've looked all over the country and you can't find a better collection of golf with such great variety, let alone the massive scenic acreage that goes with it." Smith said. "We've used only 800 to 1,500 acres for golf and there's room for great growth."
In 1986, Harry Melling hired Robert Trent Jones Sr. to build the first golf course and Smith to be the Director of Golf. Smith has been a key ingredient to the success of the resort over the years, and now sixteen years later he grows from being golf director to owner/ managing partner.
Smith has succeeded in several areas of the golf industry. From 1986 to 1996 he served as Director of Golf at Treetops before becoming Vice President of Golf Operations. At the same time he was also becoming one of the leading golf instructors on the PGA Tour. Rick's students have included Jack Nicklaus, 2-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen, and Phil Mickelson, who currently is the #2 player in the world.
Adding to that was Rick's desire to design world-class championship golf courses. Including the three courses he designed at Treetops, Rick designed the nationally acclaimed Arcadia Bluffs and Wuskowhan Players Club in Michigan, as well as Shenendoah Golf and Country Club in upstate New York.
Rick has also made a place for himself on the Golf Channel as the leading trouble-shooter on Golf Academy Live as well as a guest analyst during major golf events.
"I'll still do some TV at Treetops, and work with my players on tour, but this is a good time for this to happen for me. We'll focus on real estate and the details of the resort from all perspectives, but with a special emphasis on enhancing the experience for families, particularly women and kids. We want this to be a great place to visit and live. The opportunity excites me", stated Smith.
Rick Smith has developed himself into one of the true renaissance men of the golf industry. His success as a PGA Professional, world-renowned golf instructor, golf course designer, and now owner/ managing partner of a leading golf resort is unmatched by few in the industry.
Treetops Resort is already one of the leading golf resort destinations in the country. Golf Magazine has honored the resort the past five years with its prestigious Silver Medal Award, while Golf Digest voted the resort 32nd on its list of "Top 75 Resorts in America".
Treetop's inventory of four championship courses and a Par 3 Course, all designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith himself, make for some of the best collection of golf holes on one property anywhere in the country.
Treetops also plays host to the popular ESPN par 3 shoot out on its popular Threetops course designed by Rick. The event features members of the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour in a million-dollar shoot-out. In 2001 Lee Trevino made the events first million dollar hole-in-one.
For more information on Rick Smith or Treetops Resort, please contact Scott Head at Treetops Resort (989) 732-6711 ext. 2560 or Kevin Frisch of Golf Marketing Services (989) 731-4126 Golfrisch@aol.com
July 11, 2002