DOWAGIAC — Thanks to the dedication of a Cass County couple, one of Dowagiac’s most beloved golf courses will be teeing up for the next chapter of its history next spring.

Jaime and Stacey Sumners, of Marcellus, acquired Spruce Ridge Golf Course, located at 26831 Dutch Settlement St., last month, on Sept. 7. Since then, the couple and their teenage children, Carson and Jack, have worked to prepare the course — which has been closed for the past year — for opening day next spring.

“Mother Nature will provide us with an exact date, but we are looking to open sometime in April 2018,” Stacey said.

The two — who have lived in the Marcellus area for the past 45 years — are the fourth owners in the course’s history, Stacey said. Originally opened as a private golf club, the course has been open to the public for decades, and was dubbed “Spruce Ridge” by its third owner, Chris Foote, in 1995, after the many spruce trees that line the property.

“It’s a very beautiful golf course,” Stacey said. “It’s a nice country course, in a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by wildlife.”

The couple frequented the 18-hole, 107-acre course several times a year prior to its closing, Jaime said.

“It’s not the longest course in the world, but it’s challenging at times, with all the elevation differences,” Jaime said. “We won’t change much about the course — outside of taking down a tree or two — because it’s pretty awesome, in terms of its layout.”

The two decided to make the transition from players to owners after learning that the course was for sale earlier this year, Stacey said. They saw the business as a great investment for the future, as Jaime, a conservation officer with the Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department, is less than five years away from retirement, he said.

Over the last several weeks, the Sumners family has worked to get the course back in shape before winter. They recently gave the course its first mowing in months, repainted the sign near the front entrance and made some small repairs to the course clubhouse. Before the weather turns, Jaime said they will work on getting a new irrigation system in place.

They are also purchasing new equipment for the course, including golf carts and clubs for visitors to rent. On top of enjoying a day at the links, visitors will be able to enjoy meals served inside the clubhouse, which contains a full kitchen, Stacey said.

While still months away from reopening, a number of local golf leagues have already called the new owners to reserve spots for next year, Jaime said. The new owners are hoping to recapture the course’s old regulars and annual tournaments and outings, as well as bring in a new audience, by providing the same level of service local golfers have come to expect from Spruce Ridge over the years.

“We want to provide a good golf course, in great shape, at an affordable price,” Jaime said.

For questions on memberships, leagues or outings, people may contact the owners by calling (269)782-5827 or emailing to spruceridgegolfclub@gmail.com.