LANESBOROUGH, Mass. – Baker’s Golf in Lanesborough marks its 80th yr in enterprise this summer time.
“I have been right here 40 years now, so I can not complain,” proprietor Debbie Storie mentioned. “I do not suppose I would ever need to work inside once more, however I get pleasure from it.”
What You Want To Know
- Baker’s Golf in Lanesborough was opened in 1943 by property proprietor Malcolm Baker and Ernie Volin who began the driving vary
- Present proprietor, Debbie Storie, took over in 2020 after Baker handed away
- Storie started working within the workplace of Baker’s Golf in 1983
- Baker’s Golf makes the declare as Berkshire County’s solely stand-alone driving vary and miniature golf
Storie mentioned with 4 many years of expertise at Baker’s Golf, she all the time appears to be like ahead to cleansing up the 11-acre driving vary on the finish of the day.
“We do that on a nightly foundation,” Storie mentioned. “Two of us do it. We’ve two machines working. One does the decrease half and the opposite does the higher half. We often begin about two hours earlier than we shut. That is how I wind down throughout the day. I’ve a busy day working and are available out right here, put some headphones on and hearken to music. I get to see the wildlife after I’m up right here.”
Storie mentioned whereas her time at Baker’s Golf began within the 1980’s, the driving vary and miniature golf facility’s reputation appears to reflect the skilled recreation.
“It is loopy, I imply, to suppose that golf has advanced to what it’s as we speak,” Storie mentioned. “There’s time the place years of been down and also you surprise if you are going to make it by way of one other 5 or ten years. Then it picks up. So, it goes up and down like every thing else.”
Storie mentioned issues have modified a bit over time, from the machine operated ball cleaner added within the mid-90s to the lined stalls on the driving vary added final yr, and now the newly put in carpets on all 18 mini golf holes for this summer time.
Baker’s Golf additionally now gives “glow ball mini golf” for a part of their season.
“Simply retaining it updated, retaining individuals comfortable,” Storie mentioned. “That is what we need to do. We wish individuals to come back again. We wished to get pleasure from their time right here. You understand, they might not spend lots of time right here, however we would prefer it to be enjoyable whereas they’re right here.”
Baker’s Golf is women-owned and operated. Storie turned the proprietor in 2020 and her sister, Lisa Dean, is the supervisor. They mentioned everybody on their group wears many hats, and it’s a household effort to proceed to welcome individuals from the Berkshires and past for many years to come back.
“It’s simply my household,” Storie mentioned. “So, I imply, as we have all grown up, you realize, they began serving to me one after the other, and also you get the subsequent era assist, and now they’re adults. And their youngsters are beginning to assist us having enjoyable right here. And we’re simply household. It is all about household.”
As summer time involves an finish, Baker’s Golf will wrap up its eightieth yr on Sunday, Oct. 1.
