A group of 25 investors bought the Luling, La., golf course five years ago and despite efforts to improve the quality, membership numbers have decreased. If the club does not add 150 new members over the next few months or evolve into a green space, it will likely fall into bankruptcy or be sold to developers.
The Grand Ridge Golf Club in Luling, La., is suffering financial woes and solutions for those issues are being examined, the Boutte, La., St. Charles Herald Guide reported.
The scenic 18-hole course initially ran into financial trouble five years ago. At that time, it was purchased by a group of 25 investors who hoped to revitalize it and attract more members, the Herald Guide reported.
Investor David Allemand posted on a Facebook page devoted to updates and discussion of the Willowdale neighborhood. “We have made some mistakes and had issues with course quality for the first couple of years. But we have been trying hard without expecting much of a return on investment. We are not apologizing and in fact we feel proud that we have gone all in on attempting to save this community treasure! Course quality has been much improved of late, we have an outstanding new greenkeeper but we have lost a large number of members, subsequently we have lost a large amount of income.”
“That’s the bottom line,'” said business manager Barbara Fuselier. “Fewer golfers and more courses.”
Unless the club gets 150 to 200 new members and increased green fee play within the next few months, it will not survive as a golf course, the Herald Guide reported.
Concerned residents in the neighborhood are rallying to find a way to either keep the course open or at least keep the green space. Both plans would require immediate support from the community, the Herald Guide reported.
Jim Carlson, Matthew Lyons and Stuart Ponder have started a Keep Willowdale Green group, which is also on Facebook. The group believes that the young families that have moved into neighboring communities in the past few years would support a transformation of the golf course. They are looking at options that include turning the golf course into a non-profit green space with trees, fishing, walking/running trails and community gardens, the Herald Guide reported.
“The neighborhood has transformed,” said Lyons. “Zee Ann Drive had four children six years ago. Today there are 30.”
The reality is that today of the 280 houses on the course, only 80 are members despite being sent several letters asking them to support the club to keep the green space behind their houses, the Herald Guide reported.
“People have said ‘I’m not going to join because I don’t play golf,’” said Fuselier, who is also an investor. “It’s not about playing golf, it’s about maintaining quality of life.”
Besides the $150/month golf membership, the club currently offers a $35/month community membership for those who don’t play golf, the Herald Guide reported.
If Grand Ridge doesn’t get the support it needs to remain a golf course or to evolve into a green space, it will likely fall into bankruptcy or be sold to developers. Two large land developers have learned of the dire situation and have made offers to buy the course contingent upon being able to develop it for housing, the Herald Guide reported.
A public meeting at the clubhouse is scheduled for January 18 to discuss all options, the Herald Guide reported.
“Years ago the community had a vision of the quality of life that they wanted to preserve,” Lyons said. “We believe that this is an opportunity for the community to rally again and renew commitment to previous solutions or invest in new solutions.”
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