As summer activities, the Wheeling, W. Va. property will be illuminating its Par-3 course after sunset on Fridays and Saturdays, and offering FootGolf every day. “Playing golf under the stars is a pretty magical experience,” said Danny Ackerman, the resort’s General Manager of Golf Operations.
California and Florida Clubs Select New Management Firms
Hiddenbrooke GC in Vallejo, Calif., which has had previous arrangements with other management companies, will now be managed by Troon. The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland, Fla., will now be operated by Billy Casper Golf, and an agreement has been finalized for Tiger Point GC in Breeze, Fla., to be managed by Honours Golf.
Black Mountain (N.C.) CC in “Good Shape” Physically, Financially
The property is on track to pay its operating expenses for the first time since 2004, which it has achieved by bringing operations in-house, decreasing the number of personnel to reduce costs, and investing in course conditions while keeping prices competitive.
Bunker Project, Facility Renovation Underway at Regents’ Glen CC
Rodney Krebs bought and reopened the York, Pa., property last year for $5 million. Now more than 60 bunkers on the golf course are being re-shaped, lined and filled with white sand. The Box Hill Mansion, built in 1929, and the RG Grill, which features casual fine dining with indoor and patio seating, are also being updated on the property.
Town Considers CC of Woodbridge (Conn.) Proposal
The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted not to pursue a redevelopment of the property with Toll Brothers, and will now consider a plan that would involve selling the property for $3.5 million and developing it as part of a golf destination in conjunction with The Course at Yale in New Haven, Conn.
Public Golf Courses Country-wide Renovate, Reopen
Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockford, Tenn., El Zagal Golf Course in Fargo, N.D., Schroon Lake (N.Y.) Golf Course, War Memorial Golf Course in Little Rock, Ark., and Centennial Park Golf Course in Munster, Ind., each underwent updates to their golf facilities and have recently unveiled the results.
Billy Casper Golf to Manage University GC
The management firm will oversee the re-opening of the University Park, Ill., club’s 18-hole golf course and banquet facility, with plans to position the facility as a convenient and family-friendly golf oasis. The property includes the Urban Room restaurant, renovated 7,000-sq. ft. clubhouse with pro shop and bar area, and 350-sq. ft. practice putting green.
Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group Forms Buffalo.Agency
The formation comes as a result of Buffalo’s acquisition of Sparky’s Garage and merger with the data, digital and direct marketing assets of Billy Casper Golf. Buffalo.Agency is a marketing solution specializing in connecting brands to businesses and consumers.
Registration Opens for World’s Largest Golf Outing
The event, which benefits Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit that provides lodging for families of those receiving medical care at military and VA medical centers, is scheduled for August 1. Open to golfers of all skill levels, the simultaneous golf outing is projected to be played at more than 175 courses, including many managed by Billy Casper Golf, Troon and Toll Golf.
Enger Park GC, Lester Park GC See $250,000 in Capital Improvements
The public Duluth, Minn., golf courses signed a five-year agreement with Billy Casper Golf last summer, and a majority of those funds went toward improving 43 rocky bunkers at Enger Park. Other improvements included new amenities for the driving ranges, a new computer system and phones, new golf carts, and updates to both F&B operations.
Centennial Park GC, Mahopac (N.Y.) Golf and Beach Club Under New Management
Centennial Park GC, an eco-friendly, daily-fee facility in Munster, Ind., will be managed by Billy Casper Golf. KemperSports will manage Mahopac Golf and Beach Club, which dates back to 1893 when Tom Bendelow designed the first six-hole routing.
Billy Casper Golf to Manage Lake Bluff (Ill.) GC
The Chicago-area public golf facility was established in 1968 and features a 6,589-yard championship course, pro shop, restaurant, and practice facility with driving range, putting green, and short game area.
Property Tax Windfall Will Fund Glenview GC Clubhouse Update
The club, operated by Billy Casper Golf for the Cincinnati (Ohio) Recreation Commission, will get an $800,000 upgrade that will include the construction of an open-air pavilion. All told, $2.8 million in property-tax refunds generated by a Ohio Supreme Court decision will be applied to the city’s six courses, to also fund improvements to cart paths, parking lots, irrigation systems and mowing equipment fleets.
City Rejects “Cookie-Cutter” Proposals for Allentown (Pa.) Municipal GC
Three months after soliciting proposals to operate the municipal golf course, the city has opted to keep all aspects of the golf course operation in-house, despite a struggle over the last few years to cover expenses. Three bidders submitted lease proposals in November.
Florida Clubs’ Comeback Efforts Featured by New York Times
The newspaper’s commercial real estate section devoted extensive coverage to a post-recession update on the state of South Florida’s club and course properties, including Boca West CC’s $50 million renovation and Woodmont CC’s expansion beyond golf.