The 66-acre Flat Rock, N.C., golf club closed permanently today, and will begin its transition into a passive municipal park. Jim Sparks, who owned the nine-hole golf course for 19 years, called the closure the “end of an era.” 

On September 30, Highland Lake Golf Club in Flat Rock, N.C., is closing permanently and will begin its transition into a municipal park, the Hendersonville (N.C.) Blue Ridge Now reported.

“I would like to thank the community for all of the support that we have gotten over the 19 years that we have owned the course,” said Highland Lake owner Jim Sparks. “This is the end of an era in the county. We have gotten to see a lot of enjoyment here over the years.”

At an April 29 meeting, the Flat Rock Village Council agreed to purchase the 66-acre golf club and the buildings for use as a “passive park,” Now reported.

“I think that this worked out for the best and the timing was right. We could have developed the property, but we wanted to leave a green space for the community. The course will go forward and be a nice park for the community,” said Sparks.

Before the last putt fell on the ninth green, Highland Lake hosted the Henderson County Education Foundation, Inc.’s, “4th Annual Connie and Ricky Sparks Memorial Scholarship Golf Event” on September 28, Now reported.

The Sparks Scholarship is awarded annually to a new graduate of Hendersonville High School. The $3,500 annual scholarship is to be used exclusively for college expenses and is renewable for four years, Now reported.

“This is such a good little golf course. You can play every club in your bag,” said Sparks. “I have enjoyed seeing the junior golfers that have played here go onto play in college. I hope the other courses in the area will pick up the slack for the junior golfers. We had the Regional Director for the Southeast from The First Tee come meet with us at one point. But the demographics of Henderson County just were not strong enough to support a program here.

“Our driving range was a nice, relaxed place for people to come and hit balls,” Sparks continued. “We even had Tom Watson here once giving a little clinic for kids. Tommy Tolles used to come and hit balls here when he played on the PGA Tour.”

“I really want to make sure that we can thank the community for their support. I am glad to say that we are going out on a good note,” said Sparks.