After former owner Warrior Golf declared bankruptcy, the Weaverville, N.C. property seemed destined for a sale that would jeopardize the future of its “Scottish Highland” course, which was designed by Hawtree & Son of England. But Summer Greene and Pam Faerber stepped in to acquire the club and have made substantial renovations to both the course and clubhouse—while also taking steps, including hiring Diane McHeffey as Director of Golf and teaching pro, to eliminate the “ugh—women golfer” attitude they’ve found at many clubs and make Reems Creek especially “women-friendly.”

The golf course junk heap lost a “customer” this spring, station WLOS ABC 13 of Asheville, N.C. reported. When Reems Creek Golf Course in Weaverville, N.C. looked like it would be going the way of many golf properties in the U.S. and turned out to pasture to be replaced by houses and developers, two former real-estate agents, of all people, stepped in to save the day for area golfers.

Summer Greene and Pam Faerber moved from Florida to retire at a golfing community, WLOS reported. They chose Reems Creek, which is just 10 minutes or so from downtown Asheville., and were set to live a dream. But then former owners Warrior Golf declared bankruptcy and those dreams were almost turned into a nightmare, with the possibility that the course would be sold and golf might not be part of the property’s future.

So Greene and Faerber decided to take the bull by the horns and buy Reems Creek themselves, WLOS reported. Nether of them had owned a golf course or worked for one before, but they were game to give it a try.

Warrior Golf bought Reems Creek in 2009 (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/warrior-golf-properties-purchases-reems-creek-golf-club/)

The semi-private club originally opened for play in 1989 and its course was designed by Hawtree & Son of Oxford, England (designers of Royal Birkdale, which has hosted 10 British Opens), to offer a “Scottish Highland” look with rolling terrain and large knolls on over 130 acres.

Unfortunately, the course wasn’t in great shape when Greene and Faerber acquired it, WLOS reported. But the new owners have set out to change that by putting a lot of work into turning things around. Unplayable sand traps have been transformed into grass bunkers, and a major storm water, drainage and sinkhole project was recently finished. A new fleet of golf carts was also acquired.

The golf course isn’t the only renovation project at Reems Creek, WLOS reported. The clubhouse has been completely changed, with the kitchen renovated and outside dining being emphasized during the summer months.

Greene and Faerber are also seeking to make their course more women-friendly, WLOS reported. The first step toward that goal was hiring Diane McHeffey as the club’s new Director of Golf and teaching pro.

The new owners now want women to come to Reems Creek and enjoy the experience, WLOS reported. Greene remembers when that wasn’t always the case at courses she’s been to. “[Women aren’t always] greeted with a smile on their face,” she said.
“It’s like, ‘ugh – female golfer.’ You go up to the first tee to join a group, and the men usually roll their eyes.”

Added Faerber: “You come up to play as a woman, maybe the feeling was that you would slow them down or maybe your game wasn’t quite on par. And that’s just not true.”

What is true now, WLOS reported, is that Reems Creek now has area golfers excited. The course has received rave reviews and the new owners are continuing their efforts to show off its new look and attitude.