Ten years ago, George and Donna Chiasson, with Donna’s brother Dave Iannotti decided they needed an economic challenge along with a job change.

What they did probably was something most people would not consider. They purchased a 10-year-old golf course called Turner Highlands.

“We were looking for a career change and an investment,” said Donna Chiasson, who runs the Turner Highlands pro shop and restaurant. George Chiasson became the course superintendent and Iannotti is the club’s managing partner. To make it a hands-on ownership, the Chiassons built a home on the course adjacent to the ninth green. That house is one of many beautiful homes located on and near the course.

“The idea came to us while we were watching the Masters on television,” Donna Chiasson said. “It has given us an opportunity to meet a lot of nice people and we have learned a lot about management and relations with people.”

“And, we think we have made the course more player friendly,” she added.

The owners take great pride in the fact that their course and its restaurant have been the site of weddings, reunions and parties.

During the 10 years they have owned Turner Highlands, improvements have been made. This year there have been two significant changes. The pro shop has been moved to be close to the restaurant, and Fred Shardow has been hired as the course superintendent.

Over the past decade, more than 3,000 feet of drainage has been installed. Along fairways, rock walls have been repaired, and numerous trees have been pruned to create sunlight around greens.

A 10-year celebration week with special events is in the works, with an announcement on it coming soon, Chiasson said.

Around the links

This week’s golf schedule is an active one. Today at Natanis Arrowhead, the Maine State Golf Association’s Father/Sun championship is being held. Tomorrow there will be an MSGA Senior tournament at Waterville, the Camp Curtis Tournament at Falmouth and the 20th Annual Camp Sunshine Golf Tournament is at Point Sebago. On Tuesday, the MSGA Mid-Week Tournament is at Purpoodock, and Thursday the U.S. Golf Association’s Publinks Qualifier will be at Brunswick. The MSGA weekend tournaments are Friday and Saturday at Natanis Tomahawk … For Sunday River fans the front nine is open and the management hopes the back nine opening is not far behind.

Gift idea

If you are interested in the acquisition of a unique Father’s Day golf present, here is an idea. It is the PowerBilt Air Force One DFX driver, which is rated by MyGolfSpy as No. 5 among new 2014 drivers. Information on the club and its purchase are available at PowerBilt.com.

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