Dan Breslin ‘Playing Through'; Party Celebrates Red Hawk Purchase

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dan Breslin lives his life by "playing through" when those playing the hole in front of him are kind enough to let him by.

The last several weeks have proven their willingness to do that as he and wife Michelle become sole owners of Perry County's grand old golf course.

In the final weeks of negotiating the purchase of the club he admits there were skeptics--some longstanding members who held off paying their membership dues and believing that their golfing world would come to an end as the ownership changed.

"There was an aversion or an uncertainty."

Guess what, the golf pin flags are still whipping in the light breeze along the 18-hole lakeside links and Breslin is so grateful that he's hosting a summer bash today to say "thank you" to everyone for keeping the faith.

"It's a club for everyone," said Breslin who is hosting buck-a-hole golf rounds between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. today with $1.50 beers, $2 margaritas and a $6.95 buffet from 6-8 p.m. with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans and a desert. There are raffle prizes, live music and a couples scramble starting at 5:30 p.m. "I want everyone to play a round of golf or kick back on the patio with a cold one. Just come and enjoy the day!"

It's a hot one, but the course is holding up under the heat.

"We want everyone in Perry County to come out here and learn the game of golf. Golf is intimidating," he said, UNTIL he teaches you how to have fun with it. It's a healthy lifestyle and great exercise.

"I have had junior clinics that end this week. I have adult clinics," he said. "We have great food and people tell me they know that, but they forget." Don't forget. The restaurant serves some of the best burgers in Southern Illinois as well as deli sandwiches, wraps and menu items that include a Sunday chicken buffet from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The club room is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week during the summer. Evening hours are shortened during the winter months.

Between rounds, the friendly games of dice rattle across the table and the day's Supreme Court decision on Obama's Healthcare is debated.

"The sun room is freshly decorated and the course is in great shape."

Dan says the course's location is well-suited to bringing all of Perry County together. "We have to bring business to Perry County and we have to stop any remaining division on either side of "The Beaucoup." He will start by hosting a "chamber night" this fall, inviting members of both Du Quoin and Pinckneyville chambers to share their success stories and their best ideas to grow business in the region.