Owners are closing Ray’s Creek Golf Course on Stokesland Avenue, but hope new owners will continue a golf course there.
Merv Pruitt and his son, Ray Pruitt, bought the former Glen Oak course in December 2007 with the hopes of keeping the struggling golf course going so people could continue enjoying the game and atmosphere.
While the economic recession and a clubhouse fire in September added challenges to running Ray’s Creek Golf Course, ultimately it was Merv Pruitt’s battle with cancer that forced him to step down and concentrate on his health.
“I’m extremely sorry I’ve got to shut it down,” Merv Pruitt of Danville said.
In the past year, Merv Pruitt would get early morning cancer treatment at Duke University Medical Center and come back and manage the golf course. The dedicated 70-year-old couldn’t ignore his health and had wanted to improve the golf course for members and the public.
“Hopefully, a new owner can come in and do a much better job,” he said. “I wish them all the luck in the world.”
After the clubhouse burned down, the insurance company had been “dragging its feet to make any payments,” he said. Additionally, the club membership aged to where some longstanding members couldn’t play golf anymore.
Many people cut back on games like golf to prioritize on necessities in a down economy, he added.
Even so, Merv Pruitt loved riding across the golf course, enjoying nature. He enjoyed interacting with the public and members and thanks everyone for their support.
Merv Pruitt also thanked everyone at Virginia Bank & Trust from the leadership to the tellers.
“With all due respect to them and to our members both past and present, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed running the golf course,” he said. “We wish we could have done more for the membership and the public.”
For Danville, he wishes for a better economy and more jobs.
Even still, Merv Pruitt stays positive and looks forward to better health and playing golf at the future course.
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