Easton's Golf Country Looks to Push Its Way out of the Recession

Easton's Golf Country is one of the few remaining facilities of its kind in the area.

For years, owner Rob Nekoroski has watched the economy fall, the average citizens' pockets get lighter, and the golf industry suffer. While some facilities and driving ranges hung on during tough economic times, others - like Jay's Driving Range in West Bridgewater - fell victim.

Drive by Jay's now, and you'll find a solar field.

Facing a crossroads, and looking to revitalize a family business, Nekoroski packed his bags, rented a house in Easton, and moved from the north shore to put all of his energy into Golf Country.

"We got hit hard, so we’re really making a commitment to build it up," he said.

Just this year, Nekoroski said his family has put $30,000 into Golf Country in Easton, which was bought seven years ago during a golf industry boom.

Nekoroski owns Golf Country along with two of his brothers, John and Rick. The family also owns similar facilities in Middleton and Saugus. Their father, George, originally bought the Middleton facility when Rob was young.

It is where he grew up.

"He had six kids and loved golf," Nekoroski said of his father. "He was an entrepreneur with a few businesses. He had an oil delivery company. He bought the place in Middleton 30 years ago as a family business and we all worked there growing up. It really took off."

Running Golf Country brings Nekoroski out of an early retirement. He previously had a successful career in the medical industry.

"I worked my way up from an entry level position," he said." I was an accountant and they sent me to Asia for five years to set up some offices – all the Asian offices. Then, when I got back from Asia, I set up my own company."

NeuroTherm, which Nekoroski sold off before retiring, produced a successful product to treat spinal pain. It is now worth $100 million.

Now, Golf Country produces a new challenge. An avid golfer who has been around the business his entire life, Nekoroski is enthusiastic about revitalizing the Easton location.

"I was kind of looking for something to do that wasn’t work, and I found it here," he said.

"I have great employees – especially here," he added. "They’re amazing. They’re an absolutely great team."

In addition to new batting cages put in place last year, Nekoroski re-carpeted the mini-golf course, added better signage, painted portions of the facility, added a tent for a sitting area, and re-finished the bathrooms.

Recognizing the threat mosquitos have posed in the Easton area during recent years and especially given the business' proximity to the Hockomock Swamp, Nekoroski has also worked closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control to prevent mosquito infestation.

All of the re-trenching of ponds, painting, and general repairs have been the work of Nekoroski and his staff.

"I’ve learned how to become quite the handy man," he said.

Golf Country is also partners with Joe and Leigh's, which runs a custom computerized golf fitting location next to the driving range. And, the facility serves Richardson Ice Cream near its mini-golf course and batting cages.

With a lot to offer, 10's of thousands of dollars in capital improvements, and a staff that Nekoroski feels he can count on, he is optimistic that the business will thrive after the recession.

Already, Golf Country has seen an uptick this spring.

"We think people are starting to notice some of the improvements," he said.