Fire levels clubhouse, home at ‘loved’ local golf course

VERMILION, Ohio (WJW) — “I love that place and adore the family that owns this legendary golf course,” said Mary Moes, Vermilion Country Club groundskeeper.

Rick Pena, whose family has owned the property for generations told Fox 8 News that the fire started Saturday around 9 p.m. as flames swept through the clubhouse, bar and attached home of the golf course the Pena family has had for nearly 55 years going back to 1970.

“My family has countless memories here, so many friends, good times and everywhere I look I see and feel memories here,” said Rick Pena whose parents affectiontaely named their public golf course Vermilion Country Club. “It’s more country than club, that’s the saying out here.”

Rick’s brother Terry lived in the home attached to the clubhouse that also burned down. Members of the Vermilion community have set up a GoFundMe to hep Terry who they said lost his home and all of his belongings in the fire.

The fundraiser reads. “Terry (Pena) is an important part of the Vermilion community and has always stepped up when others have needed help.”

Many golfers call the course VCC for short. It’s a public course that draws locals and golfers from all over.

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Moes lives near the course and went to the scene of the fire Saturday evening to support the owners who are “cherished” in Vermilion and well beyond, Moes said.

Moes has worked at the course for 25 years.

Moes shared video and photos she took of the fire with Fox 8 News as she also shared memories, plus she said “I had planned to go there tomorrow (Monday) before this fire happened, to do some work on the grounds, remove some trees and branches.”

Moes said she talked with the owner and no one was injured.

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There’s no word on a cause of the fire.

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