Jackson golf course to see improvements; founders will stay involved

Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson is about to improve, now that a pair of Chicago investors are in the mix.

Run by the Litzelfelner -- or Litz -- family since 1990, the 165-acre, 18-hole course has created some buzz lately, with rumors circulating about a possible sale.

The course hasn't been sold, however, and the Litzes aren't leaving. Instead, the two partners have been added, resulting in a new business entity called Bent Creek Golf Course LLC instead of Litz Brothers Inc.

"They will run the course, and we'll continue to stay involved," said Mike Litz -- who, along with his father and the course's founder, Jack, and brother, Rob, have been running the facility since its inception.

Brad Belcaster of LaGrange, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, is one of the new partners, along with his own father, Bob. The duo have invested an undisclosed but "significant" amount to become part of Bent Creek, Litz said.

M.J. Hobbs and Ryan Davie head to the next hole during the Jackson Police Department Benefit Golf Tournament on Friday at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson. (Glenn Landberg)

Their main goal will be to help make needed improvements to the course's aging infrastructure and possibly expand its offerings. The idea is to make it more of a regional destination.

What that ultimately will look like, Litz isn't sure.

"This is so new, we're just getting started," he said.

But he emphasized he and his family still are much part of the community, with no plans to leave it.

"That's what we want people to know," he said. "We're not going away."

Brad Belcaster, a commercial real estate broker who has lived in the Chicago area all his life, said he and his father, who is retired, were looking around online for a golf-course investment and were excited to find Bent Creek. They also were glad to keep the Litz family involved and its established relationships intact.

"It worked for them and worked for us," Belcaster said.

Although plans aren't fully in place yet, there's a strong possibility the Belcasters not only will help modernize the course's clubhouse and other buildings, but form new programs -- especially more services such as a learning center and activities for children and families. Putting together a ladies' program is a point of focus, Belcaster said.

Already, cart paths are being repaired along with irrigation equipment, and Belcaster foresees improving sand traps, or bunkers, around the course and "tweaking the layout to make it more exciting," he said. The embankments around the pond also need attention.

Although the course has been well-maintained, Litz said some aspects of it could use a lift.

Added Rob Litz: "We've taken it as far as we can, and we're proud of that. (The Belcasters are) going to take it even further."

As for any contiguous real-estate developments, such as the Bent Creek subdivisions that run through and around the course, "we're pretty much built out," Mike Litz said. "We don't have much land left."

While bringing in major tournaments isn't realistic because of Jackson's size, Litz said charity tournaments and other events will continue to be a mainstay, along with memberships, play packages, day visits and other attractions.