For 64 years, Hunters Creek Club in Lapeer County’s village of Metamora has been welcoming members for a full-scale outdoor experience.
The club opened in 1958 by Preston Mann just five miles down the road from its current location. In 1992, Preston’s son, Charlie Mann, took over his father’s business at just 26 years old and has been President and CEO ever since.
Charlie certainly was not new to the club. His father exposed him to the outdoor paradise for as long as he can remember.
“I started going to work with him from the time I was a toddler,” Charlie said.
Even though Charlie moved about an hour away to attend Michigan State University to earn a degree in Agriculture Economics, he always knew he wanted to come back to run the club.
“It’s fun,” Charlie said. “I’m outside everyday with great people. The people we work with are great people and our customers are great people.”
Those great people he works with include ten full time employees, along with his son Eric and wife Claudia.
Charlie said working with his family is one of his favorite parts of the business.
“I think this is the best part of having a farm or family business is that the togetherness is nice,” said Charlie. “At the end of the day, it’s wonderful to know you’re working for a common goal.”
The Attractions
So, what brings people to Hunters Creek Club? For Charlie, the answer is simple – an escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
“People love to get away from congestion and get out in the fresh air and be able to relax,” Charlie said. “At the end of the day, our product is giving them a place to get out and away from the grind. They appreciate the open space.”
The club has a little bit of everything including pheasant and partridge hunting, a 60 acre lake for blue gill and pike fishing and a full-functioning restaurant for their members.
Aside from enjoying some skeet shooting, pheasant hunting and fishing, the club also offers dog training. They train dogs how to use their natural instincts on the hunt and offer dog boarding and obedience training for non-members on their land.
Along with all of these offerings, you’ll also find a small herd of 30 cows grazing near the property. Handling cattle is something Charlie has been passionate about since college.
“When I was a student at Michigan State University, I went to the Beef Cattle Teaching Center, and developed an interest in cow and calf operations,” said Charlie.
Charlie sells their beef on the farm and some of it is used in the restaurant.
Where GreenStone Steps In
Hunters Creek Club sits on some 1,020 acres of land – but it wasn’t always that large.
“We wanted to expand our acreage back in 2002 because we were really humming along,” said Charlie.
That’s when GreenStone comes into the journey. Charlie met with the Lapeer branch team to secure a loan to purchase more land. He says the process was simple.
Charlie works with Financial Services Officer Tracy Jelinek.
“She’s fantastic to work with as we have equipment needs or want to do infrastructure improvements, she’s always right there for us, to help us with a loan.”
Providing that help is something Tracy is more than happy to do. She loves the tradition that comes along with Hunter’s Creek Club.
“Charlie has great respect for his late father and the legacy that his father built at Hunters Creek Club,” said Tracy. “He has a business mindset and takes great pride in providing his members with the perfect outdoor experience. He puts 100% into everything he does. He stays hands-on and engaged in every aspect.”
Since his first land loan, Charlie has leaned on GreenStone for operating and equipment financing – something Tracy said happens often.
“It’s not uncommon for a borrower to need equipment loans or even cattle loans,” said Tracy.
Charlie said he works with GreenStone often because of the positive experience he has had.
“The culture at GreenStone is really great,” said Charlie. “Our branch office is very friendly. I’d definitely recommend GreenStone to someone else.”
And according to Tracy, that friendliness comes naturally, because she loves being able to help people’s dreams come true – like Charlie’s.
“To be able to work with farmers everyday and see their operations grow, make adjustments in good and bad times, is an honor and that’s what I enjoy,” said Tracy.
As far as the future, Charlie hopes to expand – but he is not giving away all of his big dreams.
“We have some dreams we’d like to work on, but we’ll keep them secret for a while.”
To view the article in the online 2022 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
