By Staff
The first of a two-part series on homegrown business growth
While cities throughout the country face struggling economies, some area business owners say Morgan County is worth their investment. Through existing business growth, they want everyone to know Hartselle and Morgan County are "Open for Business."
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Since its opening in 1993, Quail Creek Golf Course has completed four phases of development and continues to expand its amenities and services with each passing year.
What began as a nine-hole golf course on 400 acres of foothill land located southeast of Hartselle has grown to include nine additional holes of golf, a conference center, a 14-mini suite inn, team training room and multipurpose pavilion.
Owner/Manager Matt Nail said plans and studies are currently under way to further expand Quail Creek Golf, Conference Center and Suites Inn to include a wedding chapel that will also serve as a church building for a new congregation, the Church of Quail Creek. Pastor Randy VonKanel will lead the congregation beginning this May.
"Quail Creek opened as a golf course and a place that would be a benefit to young people and families," Nail explained. "Through the years it has evolved into a conference center that hosts all kinds of events, including class reunions, family reunions, corporate business meetings, business and professional training. Churches come to us for golf fundraisers, special events and picnics. We're certainly thrilled to keep growing and meeting the needs of the community."
According to Nail, Quail Creek has provided wedding accommodations for over a decade and began offering complete wedding packages one year ago.
"There have been weddings at Quail Creek almost since we opened," Nail explained. "We offer weddings under the sky, under the pavilion or in the conference center.
Weddings at Quail Creek promise "You Come Dressed–We'll Do the Rest." Quail Creek Event Planner Terrie Riggs and Director of Hospitality Kathy Davis begin wedding planning with couples as soon as the engagement is announced. Services offered include any or all of the following services at Quail Creek: food, photography and floral plans, wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, reception, post-reception party, and hotel amenities. All services are handled completely by Quail Creek.
"We had a booth at the Modern Bride bridal fair recently in Huntsville," Nail said. "A young lady walked up and read our slogan, ' You Come Dressed–We'll Do the Rest.' She said, 'I'm so glad to see that because I'm so stressed.' That's what we want–to make your wedding as stress-free as possible."
Wedding packages can be as simple or as elaborate as couples want with Nail, Riggs and Davis working closely with the bride and groom on pricing options.
"The more services used the more savings you will find for each particular service," Nail explained. "You can pick and choose services or choose the total package."
Nail, a licensed minister since his teenage years, is also available to officiate ceremonies.
Another new service Quail Creek will offer this summer is a one-week day camp that combines camping and sporting experiences for ages six to 15, which will be held twice this year.
"We've been very successful with our junior golf camps and are in our twelfth year," Nail said. "The day camp will be an expansion of that."
As Nail looks back on the beginnings of Quail Creek and the tremendous growth it has experienced in less than 13 years, he said the Hartselle-area location is still the perfect setting for Quail Creek Golf, Conference Center and Suites Inn.
"Definitely, without a doubt," Nail said. "We love being a part of the area of 'Southern Hospitality.'"
For more information, call 784-5033, email play@quailcreek.com, or visit www.quailcreek.com.