The History of "The Root"
Affectionately known as "The Root", Root River Golf Club has been in the Barsanti Family since 1944. Jane and Harvey Barsanti Sr. purchased The Root and began operation in 1945, with the help of greens superintendant Ernie Damerino. Although Harvey passed away in 1960, and Ernie passed away in 1979, Jane kept the business in the family with the help of her four children: Roberta, Nancy, Richard, and Harvey Jr.
Construction on the clubhouse, designed by Perry Short, began in 1964, and the clubhouse opened in 1965. Jane managed the clubhouse with her son Harvey Jr. and her sister Dorothy Kucher. The clubhouse quickly established a reputation for fine food that continues to exists today in the form of Barsanti's Restaurant at Root River Golf Club.
After attending The University of Guelph, Jane's son Richard worked with Ernie until he took over as Greens Superintendant in 1976. In 1993 Richard turned his attention inside when he became General Manager. Jane continues to act in an advisory role at The Root, and she is thrilled to see her grandchildren taking an active role in the operation of the family business.
Trivia @ The Root ... Did You Know ...?
- Harvey Barsanti Sr. was a rep for Soo Falls (later Northern Breweries), and Thomas Adams Distillery before his death, at the tender age of 40, in 1960
- Ernie Damerino worked the course as Superintendant, and lived on-site until his passing in 1979
- Six greens have been rebuilt since the clubhouse opened in 1965: #7 (1967), #1 (1968), #2 (1986), #3 (1986), #8 (1987), and #5 (1995)
- The sprinkling system was installed in 1971 (upgraded in 2001) with wells and ponds on-site, as well as new pumps