Chris Bivens, the owner of Shambolee in Petersburg, Ill., is putting the 18-hole public facility on the market to spend more time with his family. Downingtown is also on the market, offering an 18-hole golf course and 12,000-sq. ft. clubhouse.
The owner of Shambolee Golf Course in Petersburg, Ill., is putting the 18-hole public facility up for sale, the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register reported.
Chris Bivens bought the in the summer of 2011, and has invested time and money since the purchase, but wants to spend more time with his family, the Journal-Register reported.
Bivens said if he does not receive a suitable offer by next March, he’s willing to continue operation of Shambolee for one more year. But he wants to find someone who’s willing to commit the same amount of time that he has in reviving the course over the last three years, the Journal-Register reported.
“I’d rather get more time than more money,” Bivens said. “You’re only on this earth for a short while. I look at the obits every day, and the numbers are close to mine.
“I love the game. I love the place. I’ve spent a fourth of my life here, maybe more than that. It deserves somebody who’s able to keep it up.”
In a letter he sent out to Shambolee regulars last week, Bivens wrote, “It’s very gratifying to see the progress our course has made” since he purchased Shambolee from Erik and Tonya Swenson, the Journal-Register reported.
The progress has included improvements on the course and in the clubhouse, which have translated into increased clientele. Bivens said about 12,000 rounds were played at Shambolee his first full year of ownership, but this year’s rounds have approached 20,000, the Journal-Register reported.
“Right now, it looks as good as it has in a decade,” Bivens said. “I have a great guy, (superintendent) Matt Knollenberg. I hope whoever (buys) it gets him, too. He’s got a great crew. It looks like a golf course again. The community has a viable course again.”
Downingtown (Pa.) Country Club, an 18-hole, semi-private club is also up for sale through Golf Property Analysts.
Designed by George Fazio, the property offers a 12,000-sq. ft. clubhouse, modern maintenance facility and two single-family residences onsite. There is a 500-unit residential development planned for the adjacent parcel and the property is located just 45 minutes west of Center City Philadelphia.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Golf Property Analysts President Laurence A. Hirsh at [email protected].
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.