Golf entrepreneur turns to the Shenandoah River to mitigate against pandemic-caused losses at SVGC

A longtime county golf entrepreneur is turning to water sports to bail him out of a financial hole caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, and on March 16 will approach the Warren County Board of Supervisors to “permit” him to do so.

Richard Runyon Jr., 45, has spent his entire life from age 13 in and around county golf courses, winding up buying into one – the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club – in 2014, then becoming sole owner and operator a couple years or so before the pandemic hit.

While golfing shot up in popularity from this time last year – 65% at SVGC, Runyon said – the more lucrative side of any golf facility, its off-shoot earnings from the likes of weddings, major dinner fundraisers and resulting beverage and food sales, spiraled downward during the pandemic, costing Runyon’s enterprise an estimated $2 million.

Fortunately, the year before the pandemic, Runyon and his staff happened on a regular spring, summer and early fall event they called “Fire Pit Fridays,” an outside picnic affair with upscale entertainment that attracted unexpectedly large crowds on fair weather days.

“We were very fortunate in that it kept us in business for the best part of last year. –  It saved us,” said Runyon in an exclusive interview with Royal Examiner.

Richard Runyon with the ‘Fire Pit Friday’ location in background of clubhouse’s lower back porch. Early April FPF’s are already slated with solo entertainment by Ryan Jewel and Robbie Limon on April 2 and 9, respectively. But Runyon also has his eyes set on the Shenandoah River as a new source point for expanded club operations. Royal Examiner Photo by Roger Bianchini

Runyon waxed enthusiastic as he took the occasion to describe his current idea of expanding his business and establishing a new attraction for locals and tourists alike – a launch ramp for kayaks, canoes and tubes from the newly established public park adjacent to the “Not-So-Low-Water” Morgan’s Ford Bridge in the Rockland Historic Area.

“What we see – and I hope our county supervisory board will see – is a venture that will attract more tourists to the area resulting in more money into county coffers, and an opportunity for local people and tourists alike to appreciate the beauty of this particular stretch of the Shenandoah River extending all the way to the Route 50 bridge (Berry’s Ferry) with a five-mile stop at Farm’s River View Landing for the people who don’t want to paddle quite that far (to Route 50),” Runyon explained. Pickups will be made at both destinations.

“Additionally, of course, the business we envision would help mitigate our lost revenues until the COVID has passed – but would remain as a major tourist attraction after that happens,” Runyon said.

He sees visiting golfers taking an extra day to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a trip on the river; to enjoy; to observe wildlife from the quiet of being in a canoe or kayak. Also to perhaps enjoy a golf course-provided picnic along the way. He saw his proposal as being “of great benefit to the Front Royal area as a whole and to the hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, that the tourist industry depends on.”

“Our aim is to make the experience fun and easy to obtain,” he said, explaining a simple method of online reservations offering affordable rentals and picnics, while keeping a close eye on protecting the environment.  “There are ways we can do that, and will encourage that,” Runyon said, mentioning the use of biodegradable items in picnic baskets.

“I firmly believe a boat launch at the bridge would be a great fit for the area… I look forward to dipping our toe in a bit, and I do sincerely hope our locals will take advantage,” he said.