By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Fox Hill Golf Course will not reopen in the spring and is going out of business.

Owner John Kearns said after having been in business since 1999, membership is now declining and he will be in financial trouble if he keeps going.

“The only reason I’m closing down, first off, the economic downturn here in upstate New York, and the golf business is not lucrative these days ... The last five years its gone downhill,” Kearns said in a Friday phone interview. “Membership is not what it used to be … It was costing me money to stay open. I’m 67 years of age and it’s time to retire.”

He said the closure will affect about five employees, two full-time and several part-timers.

Kearns said he wants to sell the equipment and possibly some of the greens at the 216 Bayley Road course and plans to turn the clubhouse into his home.

“The actual land and clubhouse I’m going to convert into my home and live here for the rest of my days,” Kearns said. “I’m going to enjoy it here. I love the land … I have a nice workshop and everything’s set up for me.”

He said people who would like to buy a backyard green can contact him and he will sell them.

“If these guys like backyard greens, it’s a perfect opportunity … other than that I’m just going to let them grow out,” Kearns said.

He also will sell equipment to any golf courses or people interested in buying.

“If any local courses are interested, we have some nice equipment,” he said.

Anyone interested in buying a green or equipment can call him at 315-250-9949.