Suher buys Holyoke Country Club

Date: 2/15/2012

Feb. 15, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

HOLYOKE — Although Eric Suher, owner of the Iron Horse Entertainment Group (IHEG), has purchased the Holyoke Country Club, his spokesman said there will be few, if any, changes to the operation or mission of the 106-year-old golf course and club.

Jim Neill, marketing director for IHEG, told Reminder Publications that as far as he knew Suher was going to continue the club's operations as they stand now.

The club is located off of U.S. Route 5 and Neill said it is in a good location between the center of Holyoke and Northampton.

Neill said Suher hopes to bring more attention to the club by having activities such as barbeques, cookouts, dances and musical performances.

"He would like to be more of a recreational destination," Neill explained.

The decision by the club's board of directors to sell to Suher was made in July 2011.

Tom Taylor, the club's president said last week, "Speaking for the members of the Holyoke Country Club, we couldn't be more excited about the future. It certainly is the end of an era but the start of a new and exciting one. The members are confident that Eric will preserve the club's proud heritage, make it the best golfing value in Western Massachusetts, and introduce many new people to Holyoke Country Club."

Suher does not have any plans to make physical changes to the clubhouse or the nine-hole course, Neill said.

"The vision is really to get people excited about golf," he added.

The rates for membership are also expected to remain the same, Neill said.

For more information on the club, log onto www.holyokecountryclub.com .