Posted: 9/6/06
Falcon Ridge to lose its public face
 Patrick Smith has been the general manager and PGA golf professional at Falcon Ridge for the last eight years. This December, he will embark on a new journey that will take him home to Michigan, where the bulk of his family resides. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
The face of Falcon Ridge Golf Course for the last eight years has been Patrick Smith. Since he arrived as one part owner, another part general manager, and yet another PGA golf pro, Smith has been the public persona of what he refers to as the ìblue collarî course.
Tuesday morning though, Smith announced that he will be departing his position at Falcon Ridge, leaving ownership of the course to his three partners, Joe Schumer, Dane Gamble, and Mark Holiday.
Although he will be finishing out the season and the fiscal year with the local course, Smith is planning a move to Michigan to take part in a burgeoning family business. Itís a big move that will take him out of the golf business, and one that Smith referred to as bittersweet on Tuesday morning.
Bitter because Smith feels he will be leaving a great deal behind. ìWeíve created such great friends here,î he said, and noted that Minnesota has become home to him and his family.
Then again, Smith will be moving back to the area in which he grew up and still holds most of his extended family. ìWeíll be back for Sunday dinner and the kids will get to see grandma and grandpa.î
Looking back over the last eight years, Smith has much to be proud of. ìI have zero regrets,î he said.
Some of the accomplishments include a complete overhaul of the sixth hole at Falcon Ridge. ìIt used to eat people up,î he stated, and described how the par-three was changed to make the green more playable, including reducing the forward grade substantially.
But the accomplishments most notable for Smith have little to do with golf. Rather, he looked back on Falcon Ridgeís dedication to community and family. ìThe amount of contributions to local charities and events has been very important to me,î he said.
As well, family is important to Smith and he has spearheaded an effort at the course to get more families to enjoy golf together. To that end, Family Fun Night was created, offering reduced green fees and free contests along the course to families that come out to play golf together. ìIt sure beats sitting in front of the TV and weíve been very pleased with the outcome,î he said.
Other family friendly offerings have included expanded junior golfer programs, like golf camp, and more leagues for parents to get out and enjoy beautiful weather and green grass.
In a message to the friends of Falcon Ridge, Smith noted that he regards the people he works with as ìa second family,î and added that he will be sorry to depart.
Look for a replacement for Smith to be named in the coming months, but not in the ownership category. While the course will be hiring a new GM and golf pro, ownership will be retained by the three existing partners.
Comment from patrick smith, 9/7/06
Thank you for the article. I'm a shy person at times, and was aprehensive of the interview. Thanks for such nice words. Thanks for taking time over the years with the business of the week and working with Falcon Ridge on the many advertising opportunities.
Sincerely,
Patick Smith
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