Great Trail Golf Course is nestled in the rolling hills of Carroll County on the outskirts Minerva, Ohio, which is located about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh and 90 minutes from Cleveland.
Since 1969, the 27-hole golf resort in Minerva has provided opportunities for golfers as well as other visitors.
It was always in the Fry Family. Steve and Cathy Fry have owned and operated the 330-acre estate for over 30 years. Steve Fry’s father and his brother founded Great Trail, and the company has evolved over time.
Steve Fry stated, “It was a way of life.”
Steve and Cathy Fry, now in their 60s decided to retire and sell the property.
Five Minerva residents — Amanda, Andy, Steve, Nate, and Nehemiah Shriver – bought the property to save it from an auction. The keys were handed over to them in late October. Conrads, Ogden and Conrads used to be employed by Frys.
Steve Fry stated, “We could not be happier.” It was a blessing for all of those people to be able to get together.
Amanda Conrad and Andy Conrad are the new owners of Minerva’s Great Trail Golf Course.
Andy Conrad: “In our minds auction meant no course of golf.”
They first met each other at Great Trail. For several years, they worked together intermittently. Amanda Conrad worked in the pro-shop and catered events. Andy Conrad gained mechanical knowledge as a maintenance worker on the course.
Later, they married.
The Conrads didn’t want to auction off Great Trail, believing that the course might close permanently.
Andy Conrad stated, “In our mind, auction means no golf course.”
Conrads, who were determined to succeed, brought in friends Ogden Shrivers and Ogden. Ogden used to be employed at Great Trail. He now lives in Nashville. The Shrivers of R&S Cement had been seeking to partner with Conrads since some time.
They bought the property together for $1.7 million.
Nehemiah Shriveer, like the other residents, sees the resort’s growth as an opportunity for it to become a destination that will attract more people to Minerva and provide jobs for the local community. He hopes that the resort will continue to have a family-friendly atmosphere.
“It is an opportunity to bring not only golfers but also the whole family to the area to relax and enjoy the nature.” “Families can come and relax here, have dinner,” Nehemiah Shrver said.
Steve Fry will continue to serve as a consultant for the new owners. Mitch Shick is still in charge of the course maintenance. The facility employs 22 people, including many students and college graduates.
Amanda Conrad stated that “they already have a great team in place.”
Amanda and Andy Conrad are the new owners of Great Trail Golf Course in Carroll County, Ohio. The resort features a 27 hole course, motel room and other amenities including a banquet hall and pro shop. The resort’s new owners plan to renovate its interior.
Andy Conrad credits his wife with spearheading the venture.
He said, “She has been the driving force behind all of this.” “She drove it to the finish line.”
Amanda Conrad, seated at a dining table, said that their return to Great Trail as owners has been emotional. The windows still had pictures of former employees, like a tree of family members, and the decor was the same as it was when Amanda Conrad worked there.
She said, “I still feel their emotions because this was their child for so many years.”
Amanda Conrad stated that the partners wanted to maintain many of the special traditions that made Great Trail so unique. The partners also have ambitious plans for the 29,000 square foot resort, which includes adding a sister beer brewery.
Great Trail Brewing Co. will be the new name of this brewery.
Andy Conrad emphasized that Sandy Springs did not own the brewery. Andy Conrad said, “We call it a sister-brewery because I make beer there (at Sandy Springs), and I will make the beer here too. That’s it.”
The group plans to renovate 8 motel rooms, as well as a banquet hall and pro shop. The group plans to install a wood-fired oven, an arcade, and three conference rooms that can be rented out for community events or for rental.
Amanda Conrad stated that the town’s main goal is to attract people from outside of Minerva to see what it has to offer.
The golf course is open all year round
The new owners have said that the course is open all year round for tee-times, depending on the weather. The new owners don’t think that renovations will interfere with business.
There is also an Facebook page for updating conditions and events.
Andy Conrad stated, “We are just carrying on the torch (that) they have been burning for so many years. We will continue to build on what they started.”
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [email protected]. Twitter: @bduerREP
