The privately owned Florida club closed down in December 2018 because of severe flooding and a lack of golfers. While the city of Crystal Falls is open to trying to work out a resolution, Citrus County considers it a private matter and will not intervene. The property includes an on-site Bar & Bistro.
Two months after it closed due to severe flooding problems, the Crystal River (Fla.) Golf Club is up for sale, the Crystal River Chronicle reported. The asking price: $1.49 million.
The 52-year-old course, along with the on-site Rumors Bar & Bistro, shut down at the end of December, according to the Chronicle’s report. Owner Wallace Cahoon told the Chronicle in January that he could no longer contend with flooded fairways and lack of golfers and still pay his 10 to 12 employees. Course maintenance and salaries was costing $850,000 a year, Cahoon estimated.
The assessed value of the golf course, according to the real estate listing, was $1.41 million in 2018, or $5,720 more than 2017, the Chronicle reported. Total taxes paid in 2018 were $21,986, down about $400 from the previous year.
Even though the golf course, previously called the Seven Rivers Golf & Country Club, is not within the city limits, “we recognize that it has been an important part of the community,” Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek told the Chronicle.
“If there is any opportunity for the city to become involved with the property that benefits both the property and the city, we would always be open to listen to different opportunities,” Meek said. “At this time the city is not and has not been involved with the course.”
Crystal River’s Assistant City Manager, Brown “Jack” Dumas, told the Chronicle that “Having someone purchase [the club] who is a good owner and who would be able to revitalize it and make it successful again would, I think, be in the best interests of the entire community.”
But Jeff Kinnard, Chairman of the Citrus County Commission, said the golf course sale is a private matter and that the county would not intervene, the Chronicle reported.
Cahoon said in his interview with the Chronicle in January that since taking over the course four years ago, it has never made money.
At that time, Cahoon did not completely discount the possibility of reopening if conditions improved.
“There’s a chance,” he told the Chronicle. “Never say never. If someone comes along, we’ll sell it. Otherwise, I’ll sit on it.”
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