The Bluffs Country Club - Closed

[Paul Jones]

I was sad to read this from the Baton Rouge newspaper: Citing economic problems, the owner of The Bluffs Country Club in St. Francisville. LA closed the golf course, swimming pools and fitness center and indefinitely suspended all memberships as of Sunday.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/40521587.html?showAll=y&c=y

The Bluffs is an Arnold Palmer Design and is always rated the best public course in Louisiana.  They recently went private, but you were still able to play the course if you stayed at their Lodge.

[Paul Jones]

There website is still up and running - http://www.thebluffs.com/

[Steve Lang]

  big time bummer.. we were going to make a return there this spring , beautiful golf on the real audubon trail..

it is a small hassle to get there, but was worth the return for sure from Houston

[Jeff Zeagler]

Based on what I have heard from members and creditors, I think the membership will buy the club and the course will re-open in the latter part of the spring or early summer.  I know several members and they believe the club is financially viable based on the size of the membership.  As I understand it, Mr. Tanner's financial issues in other ventures has crept into The Bluffs.  Though, he did take on a lot of debt to build the new clubhouse.  Per my friends, Mr. Tanner has not provided them with enough financial data for them to make an offer on the club.  I have also heard that James Davison, owner/developer of Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, LA also owns much of the property.  He certainly has the means to take it over as well.

Very unfortunate - it is my favorite course here in Louisiana as well.

[Paul Jones]

Jeff,

The article stated: Mike Babin, one of The Bluff’s original 30 founders and a resident, said he is also optimistic that the members and residents can buy the country club and course, but that will probably take months and happen in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

I will be surprised if that takes place before summer time, but hope it does since I have not played the course in quite a few years.

I wonder how long it will take to put the course back into shape after sitting for so long.