NILES — Tucked along Niles’ West River Road, Signal Point Golf Course has always been a place where private members can relax, tee off and take in the serene views of the St. Joseph River.

Now more members of the Michiana community are expected to be able to utilize the course due to its new South Bend-based owners: Blackthorn Operating Group. The company purchased Signal Point in July, rebranding the business as Signal Point Club by Blackthorn.

Tim Firestone, the chief executive officer of Blackthorn, said his company saw an opportunity to carry on the legacy of a historic facility, while expanding Blackthorn’s business opportunities.

He said Signal Point was facing challenges with declining membership as many private clubs are. He attributed this to too many private club options in a small area.

“We had been looking for another facility that would be close in proximity and have the same type of brand that Blackthorn had,” Firestone said. “Talking with the owners at Signal Point and hearing their challenges with membership declining and their challenges with members getting a little older, we thought this was the perfect fit.”

Formerly a private club of about 50 to 60 members, Signal Point by Blackthorn will be open to Blackthorn members and Black Card holders. Existing Signal Point members will also have access to the club and Brandywine High School golf athletes will also be permitted to use the course as they have in the past. While this makes the business not open to the public per say, it invites more people to utilize the facility. Firestone said he believes this offers the company a chance to grow their membership numbers.

“We felt like we could bring business here by basically marketing to our existing customers and the rest of the Michiana community, by opening this up to our Black Card holders,” Firestone said.

Signal Point by Blackthorn is an 18-hole, nine-fairway golf course. The establishment also includes a club house and boardroom where exclusive members could host parties and meetings. With these amenities, Firestone said he saw the potential in opening up the business as an events venue. The facility will be available for weddings, parties and corporate events.

In addition to the South Bend course and the new Niles course, Blackthorn Operating Group also owns the Blarney Hole in Granger and Spirited — a recently opened cocktail bar in South Bend. Black Card holders are eligible for discounts and benefits with the card at any of these businesses. The card typically costs $99 but is available for $49 for a special which lasts through the end of the year. In 2019, Firestone said the company will launch new membership programs and pricing, which will still grant members access to multiple establishments.

As for Signal Point employees, Firestone said they were offered jobs with the company. He said some chose to move on.

“They had a great team in place and that was another point of emphasis for us,” Firestone said. “We have been very fortunate with staff that was here.”

Firestone has worked for large corporate golf companies for most of his career. He played golf for Bethel College and started working a summer job with Blackthorn in 1994. From there, he steadily rose through the ranks, leaving the company in 2006 to take another job opportunity and returning to Blackthorn in 2011.

Firestone owns Blackthorn Operating Group with Erik Haag, COO and Joe Herbert, business partner and former Clark Equipment Company employee.

Firestone said the business’ primary goal in the months to come will be exposure and getting more community members out to the course to tee off.

“With the rich history of this club, I personally love it here,” Firestone said. “I think it is absolutely gorgeous … and it’s a fun course to play. We just hope to continue the Signal Point brand well into the future and marry it together with Blackthorn, which is a great brand of golf.”