The Inter Tribal Golf Association purchased the Phoenix, Ariz., property in October and has begun making changes, clearing years of overgrowth from the golf course, reversing the front and back nines, and building a driving range. The golf course will be semi-private, while the recently renovated clubhouse will be available only to members. Rick Breuninger, CEO…
Inter Tribal Golf Association, Investors Buy Club West GC
A spokesman for the new owners declined to give immediate details on the sale of the Phoenix, Ariz., property, but said, “Big things are going to happen. Stay tuned.” Former owner Wilson Gee put the property on the market for between $1.3 million and $2 million. A group of private investors and Inter Tribal Golf…
Club West GC Owner Countersues HOA
Wilson Gee, owner of the Phoenix, Ariz., property, has accused the Club West Home Owners Association of conspiring with the city to put him out of business and driving down the club’s market value “to promote a ‘fire sale’ purchase price of the golf course.” The HOA’s initial lawsuit accuses Gee of curtailing irrigation of the golf course and allowing it to take on “a hay-like appearance.”
The Guardian, Bloomberg News Report on the State of Golf
The Guardian’s commentary encourages golf courses to relax dress codes and withdraw bans on social media and alcohol on the fairway to keep golf relevant. The Bloomberg report focuses on the failing golf courses embedded in housing developments, such as Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course in Phoenix, describing them as “suburban zombies—not quite dead, yet far from alive.”
Club West GC On the Market for $2.1M
Owner Wilson Gee has put the Phoenix, Ariz., property up for sale, which features an 18-hole golf course and a 7,000-sq. ft. clubhouse with restaurant and pro shop. In the meantime, the property will continue operations as normal with no plans to close.
Shuttered Golf Courses Stuck in Development Limbo
A report by Bloomberg Business details the redevelopment battles of golf courses, which often result in the golf course being abandoned and unkempt, particularly when they have adjoining residential developments.
Ahwatukee Lakes GC Owner to Receive $1.6M Back Tax Bill
Wilson Gee, owner of the shuttered Phoenix, Ariz., property, must pay back the tax breaks received from the county from operating the golf course, plus interest.
Ahwatukee Lakes GC to Drain Lakes
The shuttered Phoenix, Ariz., property will drain its lakes and move animals to the Ahwatukee Country Club in preparation for an ordinance that will require the removal of fencing around the property, the construction of which angered many residents.
Phoenix City Council Sets New Rules to Fight Golf Course Blight
A subcommittee unanimously approved proposed changes that include prohibiting barbed-wire or razor fencing, limiting all temporary fencing to one year, and protecting 50-foot setback zones. After public vetting, a final vote is expected in May.
Ahwatukee Lakes GC Barbed Wire Fence Causes Controversy
Wilson Gee, the owner of the now-shuttered Phoenix club, is taking responsibility for a barbed wire chain-link fence surrounding the property that forces pedestrians off the sidewalk. Gee says he purchased the fence to protect himself from liability from the open lakes on the property, though he did not realize the fence had barbed wire or that it would be placed curbside.