L-R: Jeff Mehlert and Shawn Cucciardi, the new principal owners at McCormick Woods Golf Course in Port Orchard. With the help of a group of investors, the pair bought the award-winning course last year.

Golf enthusiasts Jeff Mehlert and Shawn Cucciardi met through their involvement with junior golf a few years ago and became good friends — doing things together, playing golf, dreaming of “how fun it would be to own a golf course.”

They didn’t have to wait long for the opportunity. When McCormick Woods came up for sale more than two years ago, the pair set off to make their dream come true. “We started appreciating each other’s talents and commitments to excellence,” Mehlert said. “We both wanted to do it correctly and with integrity.”

To an outsider, it may have sounded too good to be true. Mehlert, who has lived in Gig Harbor for 13 years and grew up around golf, used to frequent McCormick when it was “the golf course.” The facility continues to draw accolades as one of top public golf spots nationwide and one of the best in the state. Its restaurant, Mary Mac’s, is considered among the best in the area.

Mehlert handled the opportunity as he does much else in his life — with prayer. Sometimes they get answered and sometimes they don’t, but this time, all signs pointed ahead. “So much prayer went into the process, and everything felt correct…I view it as God’s course and we said we will keep going as long as the doors are open, and it happened,” he said. “The fact that it was a highly acclaimed course and one of my favorites while growing up was just a bonus.”

The fact that Mehlert and Cucciardi were in their 20’s and 30’s didn’t stop them — and may have even proved to be an advantage. Both men had extensive expertise in their fields.

Mehlert comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His father, a golf professional and owner of Tacoma golf shop, had frequently employed his son and two daughters. Mehlert got his first experience of cleaning carts and other work at age 7. Gerry Mehlert’s advice was invaluable during the buying process, and these days, the tables have turned: the elder Mehlert now works for the son. So do the two daughters.
  Mehlert said each family member has complimentary experience and skills. One sister, for example, had managed a large retail golf facility. Working side by side as a family again is almost like the old days. Mehlert’s wife, Suzanne, owns her own store in Gig Harbor, and helps with the golf facility too.

And then there is the “adopted” family. As the new owners have become better acquainted with their staff since they sealed the sale last summer, they have been expanding the meaning of family to include them as well. The facility had so many good things in place that the two partners had only made a few changes, like extending the restaurant hours and revamping the menu.

That restaurant aspect was entirely new to them — but they deal with it the way they do with everything else. They listen to what the customers want, and they keep up their strive for excellence.
  One thing Mehlert does emphasize: McCormick is not just a place to golf. It’s part of the community. Even other golf courses are not viewed as much as competitors as they are as allies. “I firmly believe that the more successful our competitors are in the area, the more successful we are,” he said. “It’s becoming a destination.”.