Darrel Sorenson

Mitch McCullough

This winter, as people nestle indoors, dodging the rains and nose-nipping cold, the Riverside Golf Club will regenerate for spring.
In fact, the 1927-established golf course is undergoing a major metamorphosis, envisioned by a new, local ownership.
Mitch McCullough and Darrel Sorenson purchased the 110-acre tract that borders the Chehalis River on Oct. 13, 2006. They bought the golf course from Yelm resident, Darrin Thompson.
McCullough and Sorenson are long-time family friends and Chehalis residents. Their entrepreneurial drive and shared passion for golf forged the two men as business partners.
McCullough serves as Riverside's general manager and Sorenson works off-site, as owner of Sorenson Transportation Company. Sorenson's wife, Sonja, is Riverside's bookkeeper and helps with day-to-day operations.
The new ownership longs to revive the warm, community atmosphere of the past. To accomplish this, they are net-working and drawing remodeling plans to better satisfy their clientele.
"We ar dedicated to improving the golfing experience at Riverside," McCullough said.
The ownership identifies three facets for improvement at Riverside.They want to refine the aesthetics and playability of the course, create a welcoming clubhouse and provide great customer service.

So far, the ownership has made minor adjustments to the course. Placing rocks around the pond and improving the holes are a couple of things.
"Basically, we are making the course more beautiful and friendly," Sonja Sorenson said.
Not only do they want their customers to enjoy playing on the expanse of emerald-green lawns, but they also want to lure more guests inside the clubhouse.
They hope to see the clubhouse buzz with social activity, as a place to gather and dine.
To do so, plans to enliven the interior designs are set. A major remodel is taking place with completion slated for April 1, including the additon of a fireplace, redo of the restrooms, and a major expanse of the outdoor deck.
The ownership sees a need to accommodate large groups like tournaments by maximizing space and upping their customer service.
"We are open to bringing in more tournaments and creating a more meaningful experience for the participants," McCullough said.
In the future, they hope to upgrade the dining experience and quality of the restaurant.
"We want friends to be able to gather on the deck and eat, overlooking a beautiful setting," Sonja Sorenson said.

In the future, Riverside is inviting the community to their 80th anniversary celebration to kick off the new season.
Meanwhile, McCullough and the Sorenson's will concentrate on fostering new and existing connections in their community. The Riverside Golf Club has not had a local leadership in over two decades.
Sonja Sorenson said her husband Darrell, 59, always waned to see the course back in the hands of a local ownership.
McCullough, 53, and his family moved to the area in 1994. He worked as general manager of the Fred Meyer distribution center in Chehalis, 1994 to 2005.
For a couple of years, McCullough tinkered with idea of owning the golf course. After he paired with Sorenson on the idea, he approached Thompson with the proposal.
In their drive for success, it helps that both men are avid golfers. Both McCullough and Sorenson have golfed for 30 years. For McCullough, "the game just gets in your blood."
For those who want to visit, the Riverside Golf Club is located near the Chehalis airport at 1451 NW Airport Road. For more information, call 748-8182 or go to their web site at www.playriversidegolf.com.

Taken from December '06 of Business to Business.