Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris purchased Murder Rock Golf Club and Branson Creek Golf Club in Hollister, Mo., earlier this year. Branson Creek will reopen in late spring after undergoing some renovations, but Murder Rock and its clubhouse will remain closed for the time being, though it will likely reopen as a golf course at some point in the future.
A group of Hollister, Mo., residents are anxiously awaiting details on two golf courses that were bought by the same company, the details of which have remained under wraps, the Hollister (Mo.)-based Branson Tri-Lakes News reported.
Keith Schultz and a group of residents of The Communities at Branson Creek routinely met in the morning three times a week at the Murder Rock Golf Club clubhouse. That clubhouse, and the golf course that goes with it, were closed after they were purchased late in October by Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris, the News reported.
On November 19, Big Cedar announced that Morris had purchased Branson Creek Golf Club as well, the News reported.
“The reason I moved to that place is for the golf,” said Schultz, who moved to Branson Creek six years ago. “I play a lot.”
Big Cedar General Manager Debbie Bennett said Branson Creek would reopen in late spring after undergoing some renovations. Murder Rock and its clubhouse, however, are closed indefinitely, although Bennett said it will reopen as a golf course in the future, the News reported.
The men do trust that Big Cedar will do good things with the golf courses, though. “It’s going to be good,” said Mike Antala. “Has Johnny Morris ever done anything not well?”
That doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns. For one, residents of Branson Creek have always received a 50 percent discount at the two golf courses. For Antala, it was even a selling point when he bought his home three years ago. A letter sent to Branson Creek residents, dated November 18, states that “the new owner has agreed to offer a renewable annual discount to Branson Creek property owners. Details of the discount will be make available next spring,” the News reported.
“They’re offering us something, but we won’t know until spring,” Schultz said, noting that they don’t know if the golf course’s overall rates will go up, the News reported.
Another concern is how long Murder Rock will remain closed. Another Big Cedar golf course, Top of the Rock, is scheduled to reopen in 2014 after being closed five years for renovations, the News reported.
Some of the homeowners said they wish they could be more involved in what is going on. “Everything is a secret,” said homeowner Tom Casady.
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