Golfers puzzled over closing of North Canton’s The Sanctuary Golf Club

**PLAIN TWP. – Jill Henry Faces Another Closure at The Sanctuary Golf Club**

Jill Henry is no stranger to closures. First, it was her high school, Canton Lincoln, in the 1970s. Then, her dad’s restaurant on 30th Street. Now, it’s her beloved golf course, The Sanctuary Golf Club. Working at the course for the past 14 years, she has seen countless faces come through its doors. However, all of that is about to change as the Plain Township course, located near the North Canton city limits, is set to close its doors forever this Sunday.

Henry found herself working at the counter on the final Monday, where she greeted guests in the cozy little building near the first tee. Despite the bittersweet feelings surrounding the course’s closure, Henry’s friendly personality puts people at ease, just like she would at calling hours.

But she’s not worried. She assures everyone that she will find another job, preferably at another golf course. People are curious about the last day and what it would be like to be in the final group. Henry explains that tee times are still available for the end of business on Sunday, but anyone who chooses to ride must return their cart by 6:30 PM as the sun sets at 6:45 PM. Unfortunately, Sunday may not attract a typical golf crowd due to the weather forecast (a high of 52 with a 50% chance of rain) and the football game (San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns at 1 PM).

After the official closing day, the remaining staff hopes to have one last unofficial round on Monday. Henry plans to be there, reminiscing about the old Bob-O-Link golf course located across Applegrove Street.

The Sanctuary came into existence in 2003 after developers Bill Lemmon and Bob DeHoff purchased the original 18 holes of Bob-O-Link and its newer nine. They closed the original 18 and developed housing in its place. The newer nine was transformed into an 18-hole course and was renamed The Sanctuary due to its beautiful wetlands.

Despite the recent boom in the golf business, the owners of The Sanctuary decided that it wasn’t economically feasible to continue as a golf course. This decision leaves some course owners, including Herb Page, who owns Windmill Lakes, puzzled. Page remarked, “The Sanctuary is really surprising because if you talk to any owner, the golf business has just been phenomenal the last few years.”

While many golf courses suffered during the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic had the opposite effect. As indoor businesses shut down, people flocked to public golf courses to cure their cabin fever. Lyons Den, located near Canal Fulton, experienced a surge in play and has been thriving ever since.

The closing of Seven Hills Country Club late in the 2022 season was also unexpected. The closures of Tam O’Shanter and Skyland Pines were easier to understand as they both made way for new developments. It remains unknown what the future holds for Seven Hills.

As for The Sanctuary, it garnered acclaim in a ranking of Northeast Ohio’s top 20 public courses. Stark County had two courses on the list, with The Quarry at No. 2 and The Sanctuary at No. 12. Golf enthusiasts like Dan Barlow of Jackson Township recognize The Sanctuary as one of the better public courses in the county, with challenging holes and delicious refreshments.

As the course prepares to close, an online auction will be held by Kiko from November 21 to November 28. The stone marker at the entrance of The Sanctuary Golf Club serves as a haunting reminder of what once was.

Despite the closure, Jill Henry remains hopeful. She looks forward to finding another job at a golf course, continuing her love affair with the sport.

Contact Steve at [email protected] or on Twitter at @sdoerschukREP.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.