Properties are testing Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri in their lodging to let guests turn on lights, close drapes, control room temperature and change television channels via voice command. At JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, the focus is on using Alexa as a personal concierge for ordering room service, or requesting towels or toothpaste.
Boca West CC Unveils $50M Clubhouse
The Boca Raton, Fla., property has completed its 153,000-sq. ft. golf clubhouse, featuring an 1,800-bottle wine cellar, boutique, library, ballroom that seats 500, and a golf shop. A photo slideshow of the new facility showcases its two restaurants, a steakhouse and a retro-themed deli.
Roanoke Valley, Va., Clubs Report Declining Membership Trend
A report in the Roanoke Times questions whether the region can support three full-service clubs. Hidden Valley Country Club in Salem, Va., Hunting Valley Country Club in Roanoke, Va., and Roanoke (Va.) Country Club have recently relied on members stepping up to buy the clubs’ debt, provide loans, or pay special assessments.
Rio Bravo CC to Close May 31
Residents surrounding the Bakersfield, Calif., property are concerned their property values will take a hit when the golf course is no longer maintained. Some homeowners have been kept in the dark about plans for the club to close, and the club’s management did not respond to multiple news outlets’ requests for comment.
Developer Purchases Portion of Boca Lago CC for $8.3M
PulteGroup’s purchase of the 40-acre site on the Boca Raton, Fla., property is part of a larger trend in South Florida, where vacant land is at a premium and developers are buying up shuttered or underused golf courses to build housing, frequently drawing protests from residents.
Toro GreensPro® 1260
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Friday Filmfest: Owl Rescued at Lost Creek CC
After an employee of the Austin, Texas golf course noticed that a Great Horned Owl had fishing line wrapped around it while perched in a pond, Golf Course Superintendent Craig Loving freed the bird with a pair of pliers, shovel handle, and a pep talk.
The Legends GC Combats “Dramatic” Weather Forecasts
Ted Bishop, owner/operator of the Franklin, Ind., property, set out to find a way to appeal to golfers who stay away from the course due to weather forecasts that have a habit of highlighting potential bad weather. The property has developed its own rain blog with the help of a local meteorologist that details the finer points of coming weather to result in more rounds being played.
Aberdeen CC to Reopen March 29 After Hurricane Matthew Damage
The Longs, S.C., property sustained damage to its three nine-hole golf courses and clubhouse in October 2016, and opted to invest in additional updates to its 4,000-sq. ft. clubhouse. The facility now offers a sports bar-style restaurant, and a new logo featuring a dragon.
New Owners Pay $1.985M for Springfield CC
The Hannoush brothers and attorney Raipher D. Pellegrino have purchased the West Springfield, Mass., property. All of the new owners are longtime members who want to preserve the golf course and are in the process of improving the facilities, with interior renovations to the clubhouse underway.
Trio to Transform Indian Lake GC into “Premier Public Resort”
James Brown, Greg Ortman and Tony Augustine bought the 18-hole golf course, Arnold Palmer’s first, in Central City, Pa., for an undisclosed amount, with plans to rename it Golf Club at Indian Lake. More details about changes to the property will be discussed in the coming weeks.
Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved
Family-oriented club properties are building robust youth programs that go well beyond just keeping kids entertained.
Charles River CC Reaches $120,000 Settlement with Employees
A group of 99 waitstaff sued the Newton, Mass., club, alleging that a 22% service charge added to diners’ restaurant tabs and catered events was not shared with them, as required by state law. The club maintains it never withheld tips from employees, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Detroit Reaches Short-Term Agreement to Operate Municipal Golf Courses
The one-year deal with Robert James Golf comes one week after council members turned down the contract, leaving the fate of golf season in limbo. Council members argued the deal won’t allow for improvements to the sites, but agreed they didn’t want to scrap the agreement at the expense of golfers.
Bill Could Transfer Lions Municipal GC Ownership to State
The proposed legislature would transfer ownership of the historically significant property away from the University of Texas at Austin to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Proposed by State Sen. Craig Estes, the bill’s intention is to protect the golf course from any future development by the university. The bill was left pending and will be reconsidered in the future.