The public Walterboro, S.C., club confirmed through its Facebook page that owner Enterprise Bank of South Carolina will close the golf course due to “difficult economic conditions.” Paramount Golf Partners assumed operation of the course through a leasing agreement earlier this year in an effort to maximize revenues while the owner attempted to find a buyer. Paid members will receive a pro-rated refund of yearly dues.

The public golf course at Dogwood Hills Golf Club in Walterboro, S.C., will host its final round on August 15, the Walterboro (S.C.) Colleton Today reported.

Just five months after Lewisville, Tenn.-based Paramount Golf Partners assumed operation of the course via a leasing agreement with Enterprise Bank, Dogwood employees were informed last week that the course would be closing, Today reported.

Several of Colleton Today’s attempts to reach Dogwood’s acting general manager, Bucky Dudley, and Ray Garbiras, Paramount Golf president, for comment were unsuccessful before press time.

However, Dogwood Hills did publicly confirm the closure in a statement on its Facebook page. The statement reads:

“Due to difficult economic conditions in the golf industry and the local area, Enterprise Bank of South Carolina, the current owner of Dogwood Hills Golf Club, LLC, is closing the golf course effective August 15, 2013.

“This decision was a difficult one and was not easy according to the Executive Vice President of Enterprise Bank of South Carolina. Since taking the golf course over through foreclosure in 2011, the facility was remodeled at considerable expense, which included improving golf course playing conditions. As a last effort to keep the course open while trying to find a buyer, Paramount Golf Partners was contracted earlier this year to better manage the course and maximize revenues. While Paramount Golf Partners was able to lower operation costs, there was insufficient business and the course continued to operate at a loss.

“Paid memberships will be prorated and reimbursed by check. Checks will be mailed to the address on file by late August.”

A notice posted on the door of the club’s pro shop Friday bore a similar message, and encouraged concerned players to contact local elected officials if they wanted to see the course continue future operation, Today reported.

The notice reads:

“The management hopes you understand that we have tried to support our community by keeping the facility operating; however, due to the current circumstances, it is not feasible to continue.

“If you believe golf and this facility are important to your community, please let your elected officials know.

“If you purchased a membership, you will receive a prorated refund check in the mail, and again thank all of you for your support!”

Club members received an email Friday afternoon promising a pro-rated refund of yearly dues. The course had only recently begun offering memberships for golfers again, Today reported.

Foreclosed upon in July 2011, Dogwood Hills Country Club was acquired at public auction in September 2011. It was rechristened Dogwood Hills Golf Club and underwent a massive renovation before being leased to Paramount in February, Today reported.

The 141-acre facility was designed by Donald Ross and was constructed in 1929 as the Walterboro Country Club, Today reported.