In the beginning, Old Smith's Pool Hall at 109-111 W. Ludington Ave. was purchased in 1955 by Hoyt and Ann Payment with the idea of making it into a family restaurant and bar.

In the early days, Sportsman's wasn't really Sportsman's at all, it was a pool hall.

After much cleanup, the new Irish Hoyt's Sportsman's Restaurant and Bar was opened. Soon after the new business opened, Irish Hoyt started the tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day with live music, usually the Clown Band, flowing green beer and more than a few Irish jigs being danced when elbow room thinned out enough to allow it. St. Patrick's continues to be an annual tradition at Sportsman's.

The first couple of years sales in food, beer and wine were slow, but gradually improved. The liquor license only allowed for the sale of beer and wine.

But, in 1957, Hoyt and Ann were able to purchase one of the original resort liquor licenses from the State of Michigan. It was purchased and transferred from an establishment in Baraga, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Hoyt came to know of the license availability as Baraga was his deer hunting destination every year up through the mid 1960s.

Back then, original resort liquor licenses were able to be moved anywhere in Michigan, and it included all tables, chairs, cooking necessities and more!

The only catch to the original license was that it could only be used 10 months of the year. April and May were chosen as the two months that liquor would not be served; beer and wine sales continued those two months however. A few years later the 10 months rule was changed to allow for year round sales.

A quirk in the original law also banned sales of liquor on voting days, so periodically the rows of bottles would be covered with a white cloth letting people know sales were prohibited that day.

The second floor of the new business also featured a series of bowling lanes, originally operated and still owned by the Lucky Strike bowling alley a block to the west. Hoyt was turned down in his request to purchase the lanes, as Lucky Strike did not want any competition. The owner was asked to remove the lanes, which he did and in 1958, Hoyt purchased six lanes from an old establishment in Muskegon, which were then transferred and installed.

Semi-automatic pin setters were purchased for the new lanes and were used for the first 5-6 years. The pin setters required three local boys, each responsible for two lanes, to set pins after each frame.

It was about this time one of Hoyt and Ann's sons, Michael and Patrick, became very familiar with Sportsman's, occasionally being called out of basketball practice to run down and help set pins. Later, after attending a Brunswick mechanic school, Hoyt purchased six automatic pin setters in 1963.

For the grand opening of Sportman's Lanes, the World Champions men's and women's bowling teams, sponsored by Pfeiffer's and Drewry's beer companies, bowled to a full house. The two center lanes were utilized with chairs placed on the other lanes to accommodate the crowd. The champion teams bowled against local teams to the great amusement of everyone there.

While the lanes never became a large part of Sportsman's business, they were enjoyed by thousands of people over the years. At about the same time the bowling alleys were opened, Hoyt began the infamous "lunch hour pool game." It was not unusual to have a truck driver, lawyer, beer distributor, barber, tool maker, real estate agent and chiropractor enjoying great laughs over a few games of pool.

1963 also saw another tradition born at Sportsman's. In addition to hamburgers, baskets, chicken and steaks, Ann came up with a great recipe for pizza sauce and so marked the birth of pizzas on a thin crust, cut in squares. To this day, the same recipe is used, along with thin crust and square cut pieces.

Through the rest of the 60s and into the 70s, Hoyt and Ann carried on their commitment to a family restaurant and bar, and were frequently involved in the community, helping on a number of projects.

In 1976, during the U.S. Centennial, Hoyt had Roy Oquist (Okie) painted a covering the entire front of the building, 20' by 12' high. Okie, known as the best sign painter Ludington and the C and O ever knew, painted the Stars and stripes on canvas, covering the entire store front. In 1978, Hoyt and Ann sold the business to their son, Michael.

He carried on the family restaurant and bar tradition under the same name ­ Irish Hoyt's Sportsman's Bar. Not being a chef by trade, 'Irish' Mike started men and women's pool leagues, kept the bowling alley active and sponsored a number of community sports teams.

In 1980, Sportsman's received a new makeover, with drop ceilings removed and high tin ceilings exposed.

In 1982, Irish Mike expanded his family, marrying Julie Sroka. Julie and son Josh were soon an active part of the business. In 1986, the family expanded once more when daughter Megan was born.

1990 brought the demolition of the upstairs bowling lanes and in 1991, virtual reality was introduced to Ludington with the addition of indoor golf machines. Leagues and tournaments were formed and golf became a great winter past-time for a great number of wonderful customers.

As it grew, Sportman's allowed Mike to continue his involvement in the community. Gus Macker became a part of the Ludington summer basketball scene and many area sports teams played under the Sportman's name.

During this time, Mike began a several year effort to see an indoor ice arena built in the area. After several disappointing tries, the time was right and the new indoor ice arena was built at West Shore Community College.

Faking an arrest and doing the right thing by donating money to the community to get out, Mike Payment, plays his role as the perpetrator. Mike bought the bar in 1975 from his father, Hoyt Payment, after Hoyt suffered from a heart attack.

In the mid 1990s, Sportsman's expanded into the building to the east, creating more room for dining customers. In 2000, Mike and Julie sold the bar and restaurant. The new owners found it difficult to maintain the business and in 2004, the bar and restaurant was once again back in the hands of the Payment family.

In the few months the business was closed while it was in transition, Julie undertook the task of overseeing a major renovation, including a new wood floor, giving the business an old Irish Restaurant and Pub atmosphere.

When the business reopened, it was greeted warmly by new and old customers alike. In 2004, an historic mural was painted on the façade of the business, once again encompassing the entire front. This time the mural takes an historical look at the Annual Freedom Festival parade, sponsored by the Ludington Jaycees, and which Julie was part of for several years.

Today members of Irish Hoyt's and Fraulein Ann's family continue the family tradition that began over 50 years ago. Niece Terri is manager, nephew Chris barkeeps on occasion and their son Drew serves part-time as cook and his brother Bret pitches in with a variety of chores. Julie keeps an eye on the overall operation and is often found greeting tables and old friends. Son Josh is currently serving in the military and can't make it home as often, but daughter Megan returns from her college studies to waitress and help out when she's able.

And Mike? Well, let's just say he's enjoying looking in from the outside.