Returning to ‘Normalcy’ At Oakland Hills
Firefighters honored by Up North Resorts for their work
By Janina Parrott Jacobs
Almost three months have passed since fire tore through the century-old Oakland Hills clubhouse, destroying nearly everything in its wake and reducing the legendary building to rubble. Yellow hazard tape and fencing surround what’s left of the Monticello-style wooden structure as countless insurance and restoration companies carefully sift through the debris. It’s expected to remain like that all summer.
“With high amounts of activity going on, you can still see a return to normalcy,” said past club president Lee Juett, who had just finished playing the North Course, which opened along with the South in late April.
“The Board and staff members are doing the best they can with the cards they’ve been dealt. The club is preparing for hundreds of events this year and the courses are wide open for member play. The Men’s and Ladies’ Invitationals and charity outings traditionally hosted here are still scheduled.”
While there is no start date for rebuilding the clubhouse, construction of luxury tents similar to tournament hospitality suites are rising up around the property. A portable deluxe kitchen will provide all food services. Employees are breathing easier, secure with their positions, but also learning new skills.
Now that members are back, along with caddies, parking is at a premium as lots are filled mostly with service vehicles. For security purposes, identification is required to get onto club property.
In one major change, the Pro Shop has been moved to the First Tee building, which was untouched by the fire.
Golf Professional Steve Brady recalls what went on that day, when four Southfield firefighters took temporary respite there, disappointed that conditions were too intense to battle fire in the men’s locker room. “They put up a valiant fight to save our beautiful clubhouse, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said.
Southfield Firefighters and Fire Academy Instructors Lt. Zachary McKee and Paramedic Nate Herr remembered how well they were treated by club staff as they warmed up, shaking off ice and cold.
“When we were told we were going in to get some valuables I had no idea it was for some of golf’s most valuable trophies,” said Firefighter Mike Petrey, adding, “as a golfer myself, it was surreal walking in and seeing all the trophies and memorabilia and realizing that’s what we were here for.”
Van loads of rare artifacts were saved from the foyer, trophy cases and basement areas. Some have been identified as the club’s Ryder Cup and PGA trophy, events hosted there in 2004 and 2008 respectively. However, it will be months before restoration experts can determine to what extent these items were damaged by fire, smoke, or water….or perhaps, not at all.
Brady is truly grateful for two very important items retrieved from the Pro Shop: a treasured photo of him and his wife and a framed, signed letter from Arnie. The firefighters also had time to grab other items from shelves and the walls.
“I hope this gives people a better understanding of what we do in the Fire Service,” explained Petrey. “Our priorities are to save lives and protect property, which can include people’s homes, medication, family pictures …..or even trophies and memorabilia.”
McKee added, “I’ve spoken with several people who did not understand how we were unable to stop this fire. After explaining the details involved in such a large operation and the scale of this fire inside the building, I think many have a better idea now. While not always feasible or possible, we try to recover irreplaceable items if we can. A TV can be replaced but wedding photos or pictures of loved ones who have passed on….. cannot. Saving these can shed some light on what is otherwise a tragedy.”
After fighting the blaze for 12 hours straight, the firefighters all mentioned that their work wasn’t done. McKee added: “We were all pretty worn out, but after a hot shower, we responded to several medical calls and another fire alarm. By shift’s end at 7am, we were ready for a nap!”
Since then, word has spread throughout the golfing world of the firefighters’ accomplishments in retrieving so much of what everyone thought was lost, forever. However, a new understanding of what first responders do has been revealing.
Major resorts in Michigan took note of SFD’s actions. Since all four firefighters play golf, Boyne, Treetops and Shanty Creek joined together in providing several rounds of golf at their properties.
“Golf is grateful for the heroic efforts of the Southfield firefighters in battling the fire that eventually destroyed the historic Oakland Hills Country Club,” said Bernie Friedrich, Boyne’s Vice-President of Golf and Resort Sales. “Beyond these efforts, golfers in Michigan owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts to save much of the rich golf history and artifacts that were housed at the club. Their appreciation for the history of golf in Michigan and what these items meant to it is laudable!”
Treetops PGA Golf Professional and Director of Recreation Kevin McKinley added: “It is no secret that Oakland Hills plays a major role in the history of golf. For the firefighters responding on that day to recognize the history that was at stake, and respond as they did in saving as much as they could, is truly astounding and should be appreciated by anyone who loves the game of golf.”
