The Hilton family, from left: Willa, Mike, Laurie, Adele and Daisy.
Mike and Laurie Hilton of Winthrop have taken over management of the Bear Creek Golf Course, the course’s owners announced this week.
Ash and Linda Court, who own the course near Winthrop, said the Hiltons took over as of Jan.1. The Hiltons are succeeding Terry and Debbie Evans, who have operated the course for the past three seasons.
The Hiltons moved their family and construction business from Seattle to the Methow Valley in February 2005. They have raised their three daughters in the Methow Valley while running their custom design/build business, Hilton Construction Inc. The Hiltons will continue to maintain their construction business but will only take on limited client work, according to a press release.
Mike Hilton is originally from Houston, Texas, where he received a degree in landscape architecture from Texas A&M University. Laurie Hilton is from Traverse City, Michigan, and has an undergraduate degree in French and business from Western Michigan University, as well as a master of international management degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Her prior professional career was in marketing for Brooks Sports, Bayliner (boating industry) and Sonicare.
Mike Hilton began golfing at a young age in Houston, according to the press release. He began playing more frequently after introducing his three daughters to the game. Willa (16), Daisy (15) and Adele (12) are going into their sixth golf season. They began their careers with the Bear Creek Junior Golf program and have participated in regional Drive, Chip, Putt competitions, as well as Washington State Junior Golf Association tournaments.
The Courts raised four children while operating Bear Creek, and the Hiltons say they plan to follow in the owners’ footsteps.
“Their main focus will be on maintaining and improving the quality of the greens while also increasing the reach of their membership,” according to the press release. “The Hiltons are committed to offering a fun and challenging course for experienced golfers, and they are also hoping to attract new players. They plan to host clinics with experienced golf professionals and are also hoping to resurrect a high school golf team.
Visit www.bearcreekgolfcourse.com for membership information and pricing for the 2018 season.
