Page 33 - BusinessWest March 17, 2025

Course of Action
When asked if there would be a steep learning curve for him when
it comes to running a golf club, Ruiz offered a light laugh and then a slight shrug.
Both gestures were might to acknowledge that, while he doesn’t have any experience running a club, he does have considerable experi- ence — and quite a bit of success — in business.
When asked about the planned initial investments, he said it’s a mov- ing target — now about $300,000 and expected to move higher.
The initial investments, and talk of those to come, has generated interest and momentum, said Ruiz, adding that, since last April, with the announcement of the purchase-and-sale agreement, there was widespread speculation about the club’s future and whether it even had one.
Wyckoff
Continued on page 36
And, as noted earlier, it has come in several different fields. These include men’s fashions — he was a franchisee of Gingiss Formal Wear, with a location in the Riverdale Shops, before opening his own store, Cesar’s Formal Wear,
in Springfield’s X neighborhood — then financial services (specifically the mortgage business), and then healthcare, opening the hugely suc- cessful Golden Years, a home-care company that developed a staffing division as well, which he sold last fall.
“We certainly have an opportunity to expand membership locally and perhaps beyond our borders to Worcester and Hartford, and we’re optimistic on that.”
Golf and events management are new and different businesses for him, Ruiz acknowledged, but the basics are ... well, the basics.
And they include understanding the consumer and what they’re look- ing for; providing consistent, quality service; and making the necessary investments in people, technology, systems, and infrastructure.
Ruiz is focused on all three, espe- cially, at this critical juncture, the needed investments. And there are many of them, starting with the prop- erty, where crews are working, or soon will be, on the roof, foyer, bath- rooms, ballroom walls and ceiling (complete with new chandeliers), bar area (which will mirror the foyer), and more.
The intent is to have this and other projects done for some upcoming events, including one on March 15, both to improve the experience for those gatherings and to showcase
the improvements for potential future clients.
Meanwhile, on the course, Ruiz said he intends to make it green again — aerial photos from last year revealed too much brown from the lack of fertilizer — while also doing some work on the cart paths and other areas in need of work.
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The planned initial investments in the Wyckoff property are expected to run at least $300,000.
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