The Fairlawn resident talks about the demands of running two golf facilities.
Nine questions with Kevin Larizza, president of Chippewa Golf Corp., which owns Chippewa Golf Club in Doylestown, and Triangle Golf Properties, which leases and operates Rosemont Country Club in Fairlawn. It is unique, inasmuch as Chippewa is a public course and Rosemont is private. Larizza, who employs about 150 people, has owned Chippewa since 1987 and has operated Rosemont since 2005.
Age: 50.
Residence: Fairlawn.
1. What's the biggest difference between owning a public course and running a private one?
"At Chippewa, we market ourselves as a public facility and we deal with hundreds of different players on a daily basis. At Rosemont, we market ourselves more as a convenient, family entertainment center . . . golf, the swimming pool, fine dining, social activities. Our member base is about 250 and we see those people on a regular basis."
2. Running two venues is a huge undertaking. What is the secret?
"My father taught me to surround myself with great people, and that's what I've tried to do. The person I rely on the most is Brad Stewart, our superintendent. Maintaining 400 acres [250 at Chippewa; 150 at Rosemont] is huge."
3. Have you tried to emulate other facilities you have seen?
"No. We keep an eye on what other people are doing in many areas and we pay attention to the progressive trends in the industry. But, we feel we are one of the leaders."
4. What other courses do you find appealing?
"We have so many great courses in Ohio, especially for being a cold- weather state. Public, I'd go with Eagle Creek in Norwalk. Privately, the North Course at Firestone."
5. What issues are facing the golf industry?
"The length of time it takes to play and [overall] cost. People complain it takes four to five hours to play 18 holes. While it would be ideal to find a way to make the game faster, I don't see a solution. As for pricing, we try to come up with specials for everyone. What really scares me is the declining number of players."
6. Elaborate, please.
"We have many courses but fewer and fewer players. Those who play will tell you golf is a great game, one you can play for a lifetime. One the whole family can enjoy. We need to get more junior players involved and find a way to keep them involved. The recession is hurting the industry, for sure, because disposable income is shrinking."
7. What are your low rounds at the two courses?
"At Chippewa, 72. At Rosemont, 75. Both took place a long time ago."
8. Holes 14, 15 and 16 at Chippewa are known as "the Bermuda Triangle" because many good rounds disappear there. Who gave it the nickname?
"It was a man named Carl Renz, who was the superintendent at Chipp when we took over. You know, the holes actually go in a triangle and they might be the toughest three in succession in the area."
9. Rosemont or Chippewa?
"While I enjoy the challenge of running Rosemont, Chippewa is still my baby. It is something I built to what it is today and I am very proud of that. It is what I have devoted most of my adult life to. You grow attached to something like that."