‘I don’t have any offers right now’: Mill Creek Golf Course seeking food service tenant

Knowing the Kane Social Club at Mill Creek Golf Course in Geneva had come and gone in what seemed like the snap of a finger, an important question arose.

Will it be possible for a golfer to get a hot dog and a drink at the turn after nine holes, or a more complete meal and round of drinks at the end of a round at Mill Creek?

The fellows working at the Mill Creek pro shop confirmed it is a question often asked by others, but the only thing they can suggest now is maybe players go to the Tanna Tap restaurant at nearby Tanna Farms golf course after their rounds.

Both Mill Creek and Tanna Farms are operated through Golf Visions Management Inc., so there is no harm in steering hungry and thirsty players to one of your properties. Plus, Tanna Tap is really good.

The banquet/restaurant operations at Mill Creek come under the purview of Shodeen Hospitality, so the Geneva development company was the one to check in with.

“I don’t have any offers right now,” Dan Meisinger, a broker with Shodeen Group Commercial Leasing, said of the Mill Creek facilities. “I have been taking people through there.”

“Obviously, the previous tenant (Kane Social Club) did not work out, so we do have it listed and are hoping for some type of restaurant space there,” he added.

In a comment that indicates future banquet operations are not the only option, Meisinger is not ruling out the potential for an indoor golf simulator operation to go along with a bar and grill.

“There is plenty of room there in the former banquet space for such a business,” he noted.

In the interest of players getting something to eat, I will mention that anyone interested in operating food service, indoor golf, or both, at Mill Creek can connect with Meisinger at (630) 444-8276.

Hopefully, things will work out at Mill Creek, which has a nice course and practice area, but has been on a merry-go-round in the past with different management setups, golf course closure and renovation and last year’s hiccup with Kane Social Club as a tenant.

In golf terms, Shodeen had to take a mulligan on this one and hope the next shot is better.

So, we’re back to just wishing for the most basic of commodities: A hot dog and a drink at the turn or after the round.

A different type of season

Speaking of golf, I am likely to continue with what turned out to be a different kind of golf season last year.

For the first time, I became a “spur-of-the-moment” golfer. That means if it were really nice out — no matter what I was doing — I just stopped and went to a golf course as a walk-on. It’s a plus side of being retired from full-time work.

My usual golf buddies and I had different schedules with grandkids and other commitments. Some were not available to play until late in the day and, because I can, I generally avoid playing at the hottest time of the day.

The best part of “spur-of-the-moment” was meeting a lot of interesting people as playing partners. Some became subjects in my column, or prime suspects for hooking up again for a quick nine holes at a moment’s notice.

Playing with a regular group of friends is great. However, in addition to actually playing fairly well on occasion, meeting different people made it a rewarding golf season.

Students’ art fills the center

St. Charles Arts Council members certainly like their new Arts Resource Center but will find it extra enjoyable through May 3 as the work of more than 180 Fox Valley area students is on display.

The exhibit represents the council’s annual Student Art Show and visitors are welcome to check out the ARC gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

The council has sent out plenty of messages to the community to let them know about the new center at 121 N. Second St., Suite H, behind the Breadsmith bakery in St. Charles.

Those curious about the new center may find it a good time to stop in and enjoy the talent of our young people.

On to the rodeo

Anyone remember having to go to the parking lot of a school to participate in bike riding skills and earning your bike “license?”

That was a long time ago, but it came to mind when seeing that the Geneva Police Department is offering a free “Bike Rodeo” from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Wheeler Park, 822 N. First St.

It’s the same premise as in years past — an event in which families can bring their children and their bikes to a fun and educational event about biking skills and safety.

The event, sponsored by Geneva’s bike and pedestrian committee, includes a bike helmet-fitting station operated by Northwestern Medicine, and various bike safety checks and repair stations.

Bike and pedestrian safety presentations are offered through Illinois Prairie Path, Fox Valley Bike & Ski Club and the Geneva Park District.

No registration is necessary. It’s just a matter of showing up with bikes.

Did you know?

The sound of music rang throughout a former factory building nearly 100 years ago in what eventually became renovated office space at Cedar and 11th avenues in St. Charles on the city’s east side.

Or, should we say there was a “twang” in the air on that side of town?

We know it now as the Cedar Avenue Business Center, but in that distant past, the building housed Globe Music Company.

Globe made various instruments, but seems to get mentioned most often in past history records as a company that made banjos.

• dheun@sbcglobal.net