The Louisville, Ky., properties are now owned by Craig Heibert, and will continue to operate under their current names, but will allow members access to all amenities of both clubs. The combined properties now feature a total of 36 holes and 360 acres of golf for 1,000 members.
As of January 1, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club and The Polo Fields Golf & Country Club in Louisville, Ky., have merged memberships, the Louisville Business First reported.
The clubs will continue to operate under their current names but will allow members access to all the amenities of both clubs, said Craig Heibert, majority owner of both properties and clubs.
Heibert became the majority owner of Persimmon Ridge Golf Club in January 2015 after Persimmon Ridge Ridge housing development owner Lawren Just decided to spin of the golf operation so she could focus on the real estate development of her 765-acre venture. Heibert became majority owner of Polo Fields on December 1, 2016, Business First reported.
Heibert declined to comment on acquisition costs, but deed information available through the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office shows Polo Fields LLC, of which Heibert is an agent, paid $537,500 for the property, Business First reported.
Heibert initiated discussions with the Pacific Life Insurance, the former owners of Polo Fields, around the same time the Persimmon Ridge deal came together. Negotiations with Pacific Life were off and on for over two years as Pacific Life repeatedly listed and then unlisted the Polo Fields property for sale, said Heibert.
“Sometimes business deals just take time,” Heibert said. “It just had to be the right purchase for us.”
Only three miles will separate the combined 36 holes and 360 acres of golf. Combined, the two clubs will have about 1,000 members, Business First reported.
“Quite frankly, they (Polo Fields) were in our market and were competitors for over 25 years,” Heibert said. “We saw an opportunity to create something in our market that’s pretty unique: two courses really close together that really compliment each other. We can also gain a lot through economies of scale.”
R.G. Davis, marketing director for the Polo Field acquisition, said that there is an “incredible convenience factor” for members and potential members in the combined amenity power of the two golf courses, Business First reported.
“The biggest thing whenever individuals or families are looking for a golf club, sometimes it comes down to making a decision between one of two (clubs) and then having to eliminate some needs,” Davis said. “But by joining this club, you get the chance to get it all with both clubs.”
The merger opens a greater possibility of selling memberships and added he hoped to attract more new members in Southern Indiana with the nearby Lewis and Clark Bridge opening in recent weeks. Davis will remain in a management position with Polo Fields, and Heibert said Rob Snider will be the manager at Persimmon Ridge, Business First reported.
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