Golf pro-led team buys Glen Oak Golf Course for $2.8 million

GLEN Oak Golf Course in East Amherst has been sold to a team led by the former head golf professional at Transit Valley Country Club.

Tim Fries leads the limited liability company that purchased the golf club at 711 Smith Road for $2.78 million in a transaction that closed Friday, according to a

Fries said that he and his partners plan to expand the programs available at the golf course to make it an integral part of the community.

“At Glen Oak Golf Club our mission is to provide the best golfing, dining, and social experience possible for all of our customers,” Fries said in an email to The Buffalo News.

He said he plans to work with Brian Mietus, a chef at Bacchus Restaurant, and to pursue partnerships with local golf associations.

Fries said he spent about 10 months working on his plans for the course and negotiating the purchase with the course’s ownership.

Fries’ FITC Golf Developments Inc. purchased the property from Golf & Country Clubs Inc., headed by Richard Meath.

Fries is arguably the best player among the area’s non- touring club pros. Last July, Fries won the Western New York PGA professional championship for the seventh time.

Fries recently wrapped up a four-year term serving as one of 14 district representatives on the PGA of America’s board of directors.

Glen Oak is considered one of the top public golf courses in Western New York. It opened as the Ransom Oaks Golf Course in 1969.

It was designed by Robert Trent of golf courses in this country. Jones has received high marks for property in East Amherst and creating an interesting and challenging course layout.