Hindsight is always practically perfect.
We naturally second-guess past decisions to pursue one project or to neglect another.
Heck, we're still wrangling about the College Football Hall of Fame and how much financial help it should receive from the city.
But it seems no one is second-guessing the wisdom of building Blackthorn Golf Club on the northwest side of the city back in the early 1990s.
As the city was running out of developable industrial land out by the South Bend Regional Airport, officials came up with the idea of building a golf course with office sites around the perimeter.
It was a plan that has left no bitter aftertaste despite the passage of time.
Attracted by the upscale public golf course as well as proximity to the Indiana Toll Road and the airport, businesses have flocked to the corporate parks that have popped up in the area.
The city estimates that about 8,000 jobs have been retained and 3,000 new jobs have been created in the area since 1991.
In addition, the Blackthorn and airport industrial parks have attracted about $500 million in public and private investment.
South Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke referred to the idea, which was proposed by the administration of former Mayor and now Gov. Joe Kernan, as a "double eagle."
(For those who don't golf, that's a very, very good idea.)
"It was a thoughtful plan that provided a key area for investment and growth," Luecke said.
Airport Executive Director John Schalliol agreed with Luecke's assessment. "I'd say it was one of the top 10 ideas in the community in at last 50 years," he said.
It's hard to disagree based on the investment and jobs that Blackthorn project has helped produce.
And more is yet to come.
There are still a couple of sites available along the course, not to mention sites in other parks in the area.
A spot overlooking the 18th green has been reserved for the development of an upscale lodge or hotel complex.
Such a facility would allow the many golfers coming in from the Chicago area a place to stay overnight. It also would provide another place for businesses to accommodate and entertain visitors.
The idea of a business park surrounding a beautiful public golf course was a great one that could become better still with the eventual expansion of the club house and the construction of a lodge.
See for yourself.
This week, everyone is invited to visit Blackthorn Golf Club to mark the 10th anniversary of the upscale public course, which consistently get high marks by Golf Digest and other publications.
Kids Day is Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be games, golf clinics, face painting and treats.
Transpo Trolley night is Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitors will be able to board a trolley for a look at the beautiful course, which retains much of its natural beauty.
Business After Hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a free performance by the Whistle Pigs, and Thursday there will be a VIP golf outing.
And if you can get there, thank Tim Firestone, general manager and head golf professional at Blackthorn, and the rest of the staff for a great job maintaining and improving one of the area's treasures.
Source: South Bend Tribune (Indiana)
