Steve Bohner didn’t want to just own a golf course.
“I knew I didn’t want to simply own a golf course — I wanted to create something much bigger,” said Bohner, who together with Marie van Esch owns The Oxford Hills in Mount Elgin. “A destination that would bring people together, contribute to the local community, and put Oxford County on the map for visitors from near and far.”
The property has come a long way from its original life as the Mount Elgin Golfers Club. Since Bohner took over in 2020, it’s been through extensive renovations, a full modernization, and a rebrand shaped directly by the community it now serves — the new name, The Oxford Hills, was chosen through a crowdsourcing campaign. The revitalized property officially opened its doors in May 2021, and what started as a golf course has since grown into a year-round recreational destination anchored by a state-of-the-art clubhouse, KALOS Restaurant, and Wave Nordic Spa.
“Rather than simply offering golf, the property has been transformed into a year-round recreational destination,” Bohner said. “Our goal is to provide a diverse experience where guests can enjoy recreation, dining, relaxation, and social experiences all in one destination.”
With more than 33 years as a business owner, Bohner has built a career out of chasing new opportunities — but The Oxford Hills represents something more personal than his past ventures. “For me, it’s about more than just running a business,” he said. “It’s about creating an experience, supporting the community, and continuing to build something that people are proud to have right here in Oxford County.”
That community focus shows up in what Bohner counts among his proudest accomplishments: the employment his businesses generate across the region. Between The Oxford Hills in Mount Elgin and Hydra Dyne Technology, his manufacturing operation in Ingersoll, Bohner has built a substantial local footprint. “Creating meaningful employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy has always been important to me,” he said.
Moving from manufacturing into hospitality and entertainment brought a lesson Bohner didn’t fully anticipate. In manufacturing, he’d grown accustomed to long-term relationships built on consistent, established business practices. The hospitality world introduced a far broader range of people and approaches to trust.
“Not everyone approaches business, commitments, or relationships in the same way,” he said. “It has taught me to be more cautious, to recognize different personalities and motivations, and to exercise good judgment when deciding who to trust. Trust is important, but it needs to be earned — and the way you build and manage trust has to evolve with the business you’re in.”
It’s an outlook that shapes the advice he’d offer any new entrepreneur: leave emotion out of the decision-making. “Do your homework before making any significant investment,” Bohner said. “Understand your market, know your pricing model, and have a clear understanding of your competitors. Leave emotions at home and let the data guide you.”
Looking ahead, much of that discipline is being funneled into refining what The Oxford Hills already offers rather than simply adding more. A major focus is the culinary program, where Bohner sees an opportunity to push back against a broader shift away from scratch cooking. “We believe there has been a movement away from authentic, natural flavours in modern food preparation, and we want to bring those flavours back into the kitchen and onto the plate,” he said. That means preparing more ingredients in-house, developing flavours from scratch, and building a culinary identity rooted in local, seasonal ingredients. “We want our guests to experience something they cannot get anywhere else: food that is genuine, thoughtfully prepared, and distinctly connected to Oxford County.”
For Bohner, that regional identity is central to the business itself — and to why Rural Oxford has been a good place to build it. Working across multiple municipalities and townships in the county, he’s found local governments consistently supportive of business growth. “I have found that the rural townships are particularly accommodating, understanding, and supportive of local businesses,” he said. “There is a strong recognition that employers play an important role in the community — not only by creating jobs, but also by attracting investment, supporting families, and contributing significant value to the local economy.”
That appreciation extends beyond municipal partnership to the landscape itself. Bohner sees untapped potential in Oxford County’s recreation and entertainment scene, and considers the surrounding countryside part of what makes The Oxford Hills distinct.
“There is something special about driving through the countryside and seeing a tractor working in the field — it is a reminder of the agricultural roots and hard work that are such an important part of this community,” he said. “Being surrounded by farmland, open spaces, and the natural beauty of Oxford County adds to the overall experience we are trying to create. We want to embrace that setting and help people appreciate what is right here in our own backyard.”
From a rebranded golf course to a full destination property, The Oxford Hills continues to grow with that same guiding idea: that what’s built in Mount Elgin should reflect, and give back to, the community around it.
The Oxford Hills
Steve Bohner & Marie van Esch
324183 Mount Elgin Road, Mount Elgin
South-West Oxford Township
Established 2021
theoxfordhills.ca
https://www.facebook.com/TheOxfordHills/
https://www.instagram.com/theoxfordhills/