The Calhoun, La., club’s Pine Hills golf course will be closed and sold to developers who plan to build luxury residential housing on the land, but also intend to reopen the pool, fitness center, clubhouse restaurant and tennis courts. Todd Perry, one of the club’s five partners, said the declining membership could not support both Pine Hills and the club’s other golf course, Calvert Crossing.
Southern Pines Golf Club’s partners will close their Pine Hills golf course in Calhoun, La., and sell it to local developers who plan to build luxury residential housing on the land, the Monroe (La.) News Star reported.
Todd Perry, one of Southern Pines’ five partners, said his group will continue to own and operate Southern Pines’ 18-hole Calvert Crossing course and residential development, the News Star reported.
Perry and his partners bought the 18-hole Pine Hills course and club in 2008 and joined it with Calvert Crossing under the banner Southern Pines. But a declining membership dictated the sale of Pine Hills to Fairbanks Development of Sterlington, La., Perry said, which is owned by Kenneth Harper and Rockland Burks, the News Star reported.
The deal stipulates that Harper and Burks must close the course, but the partners are seeking entrepreneurs to reopen the pool and the fitness center and operate the clubhouse restaurant and tennis courts, the News Star reported.
“We’re excited about what we believe will be a prime residential development,” said Harper. “We’re selling the land in 5- to 10-acre plots. Even though we’re required to close the course, we’re going to keep as much of the beauty of it as possible, including the water features.”
The deal is set to close December 6, Harper said, but could happen sooner, the News Star reported.
Perry and his partners were disappointed the market couldn’t support both courses, he said, but business dictated their decision to divest the property from Southern Pines, the News Star reported.
“Unfortunately, the membership base could only support one course,” Perry said. “It was our hope and our plan to operate two vibrant courses for our members, but I think the economy wasn’t strong enough for that to happen.”
At its peak, Southern Pines had 930 members, but that number has declined to 500 members. The Pine Hills property, which was built in 1974, encompasses 140 acres, the News Star reported.
Funds from the sale will be used to enhance Calvert Crossing. Pine Hills will close at the end of November, and the partners will give public access to Pine Hills “so anyone who has enjoyed the course over the years can come play and say goodbye,” Perry said.
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