The Tallahassee, Fla., property closed July 22, after the owner notified members that he could no longer afford its current $27,000 a month deficit. The club has lost money every year since Reagan Hobbs bought it in 2003, but he is searching for solutions to reopen the property, including potential deals with the Summerbrooke Property Owners Association.
The Golf Club at Summerbrooke in Tallahassee, Fla., has closed—at least for now, Tallahassee.com reported.
Owner Reagan Hobbs closed the club July 22, saying he could no longer afford its current $27,000 a month deficit. Hobbs notified club members with an email on July 19, Tallahassee.com reported.
At a June 27 meeting at the club, members were told about the deficit but were assured the club would remain open, Tallahassee.com reported.
But Hobbs hasn’t given up on the club he bought in 2003 for $1.8 million. The club has lost money every year he’s owned it (it is now appraised at $1.4 million), but he hopes to find ways to shore up the club’s finances and reopen. Depending on those efforts, the club could “be closed two days or it could be closed a year,” Hobbs said.
“My intention was never to close the course,” Hobbs said. “My heart and soul are out there. But it’s a financial thing. We have to get the community more involved in the club.”
The semi-private club opened in January 1994. The property’s closing leaves Tallahassee with three private golf courses, three public golf courses and two public 9-hole golf courses, Tallahassee.com reported.
Hobbs and officials of Hampton Golf Management, the Jacksonville-based company Hobbs hired last year to operate the course, will meet today with the Summerbrooke Property Owners Association, Tallahassee.com reported.
Hobbs and Hampton officials hope to elicit financial support from the homeowners. One suggestion has been a monthly assessment on homeowners; another suggestion has been special membership rates for Summerbrooke residents. The club currently has about 270 members, including 100 golf-only members and 160 pool members. The club also has a restaurant and hosts frequent receptions, Tallahassee.com reported.
“The homeowners have a major interest in keeping this golf course open,” Hobbs said. “We really need to get the community more involved. We need them to eat, play golf and swim here.”
Bill Leseman, a member of the Board of the Summerbrooke Property Owners Association, said homeowners want to keep open the golf course, which was developed separately from the neighborhood. Homeowners discussed ways to help at their July 16 annual meeting, Tallahassee.com reported.
A monthly assessment on homeowners was unlikely, as it would require 100 percent agreement from the 650 property owners, Leseman said. However, the Board agreed at the July 16 meeting to market specially priced club memberships to Summerbrooke residents, Tallahassee.com reported.
But Leseman expressed dismay that three days after the homeowners meeting, Hobbs sent out his email announcing the closing of the course.
“We think we’ll be able to convince many homeowners to join. But to get to the membership numbers (needed to improve club finances) will take six months to a year,” Leseman said. “Before we even began, it’s like the rules were changed. It’s hard to sell people on joining something that is closed.”
Hobbs said he is not filing for bankruptcy, and that the mortgage on the club has been paid for the next nine months with money he received after selling Wildwood Country Club in Wakulla County in March, Tallahassee.com reported.
Hobbs defended Hampton Golf, which has been criticized by some members, saying the company’s contract entitles Hampton to a percentage of any net profits, “so they have a huge interest in seeing it succeed.”
Hobbs acknowledged criticism of the course’s condition, especially the greens. But he pointed to recent improvements, many spurred by members who signed long-term memberships and “adopted” holes to maintain, Tallahassee.com reported.
“So many positive things have happened; we just haven’t got to the finish line,” Hobbs said. “I want people to know how much I care about Summerbrooke. I want it to succeed. But we need help.
Summerbrooke becomes the first golf course to close in Tallahassee since August 1981, when the Winewood golf course closed. Winewood was purchased by the city of Tallahassee in December 1981 and reopened as today’s Hilaman Park Golf Course, Tallahassee.com reported.
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