The course in New Bern, N.C. closed on March 1st, but community members who see it as an important component of their property values are now trying to form a group that would buy it and reopen it, perhaps as early as the 4th of July.
Carolina Pines Golf Course in New Bern, N.C. closed March 1st, but now community members say they could have it open again as early as July 4th, WCTI ABC 12 of New Bern reported.
Dan Brinkworth, like many of his neighbors in his community, told WCTI that the motivation to revive the course stems from concern about property values.
“It certainly is a detriment [to have the course closed],” Brinkworth said. “If the golf course goes away, if this place turns into an unkempt area [with] grass growing up [and] critters coming around here, that’s bad news.”
People who live in the community hope they can come up with enough money to lease or purchase the golf course on their own, WCTI reported. They said they just want to get the course running.
“As a member of this community, I’m willing to contribute to see that this golf course can prosper,” Brinkworth said.
Some community members have proposed a plan to convert the golf course to a member-owned club, WCTI reported.
“No individual investor has come in to purchase the place,” said another community member, Bill Sherrill. “Golf courses in my opinion are not necessarily the best investment. We think [converting to member-owned] is a winning situation for all parties included.”
About 200 people attended a meeting on June 8 to show their support for the idea, WCTI reported. The group would have to form a corporation and get help from volunteers for maintaining the grounds. If successful, they hope to reopen in less than a month, WCTI reported.
“We’d like to have pig pickin’ party on the Fourth of July, which many people around here have been accustomed to,” Sherrill said.
Community members elected a Board to represent them, WCTI reported. That board will now go through surveys that the community members filled out at the meeting and decide on June 13 if enough residents are willing to donate to make it possible to move forward with the plan for a transition to member ownership.
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