Michigan Golfer ON-LINE

Dick Weber Steps Down
By Art McCafferty

Dick Weber, a major force in the Michigan resort business, is stepping down from his post at Marsh Ridge to pursue his own business interests. Dick along with Daune Weiss of the Gaylord Holiday Inn, own and manage a number of hotel properties in E.Lansing, Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Kalamazoo. Weber came to Michigan and joined Keith Gornick at Hidden Valley Resort. He had received his degree at prestigious Cornell University's Hospitality Program. While there, he and his twin brother starred on the varsity team. Dick had a nice run at the Otsego Club and then moved to Marsh Ridge to work for owner, Jack Bott. At both establishments, he established a legacy of excellent service, great food, visionary marketing and a sense of panache.

Upon his return trip from Pontresina, Switzerland, he opened the Pontresina Restaurant, thus benchmarking a quality dining experience in the north. He did the same at Marsh Ridge, by opening up Jac's Place, one of the great watering holes in Gaylord, with both view and killer food.

Weber was also involved in starting the Gaylord Golf Mecca, with Weiss, Paul Beachnau, Bill Topham of Treetops and Dave Smith of Wilderness Valley. He later chaired the Northern Michigan Golf Council, a groups that was composed of all the upscale golf properties in the north. "I came to Otsego in the late 70's and there were not that many courses then. As I recall, we had, Gaylord Golf Club, Hidden Valley, Wilderness Valley and Michawye, " said Weber.

The establishment of the Gaylord Golf Mecca and the addition of some world class golf, launched Gaylord into the big time. It reached another plateau this year by hosting the Par 3 Shootout at Treetops, an event televised on ESPN for a national audience.

"I felt that it was just time to step down. I wanted to spend a little more time with my family and enjoy those years before they were gone, "said Weber. Weber will still do some consulting for Marsh Ridge, but is readying for his new challenges in the year 2000. Best of luck Dick; we will all miss you.


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