Southern Pines Question

[A.G._Crockett]

I played in a CGA four ball tournament yesterday and Southern Pines, and wondered if anybody here has shareable knowledge of the status of the course?  I have heard that it is for sale, that it is not for sale, that McConnell is going to buy it, that McConnell is not going to buy it, that there is currently a secret bidder, that the Elks have taken the sale of the course off the table, and so on.

A google search turns up some articles from last August about the McConnell lease-purchase plan falling thru, and the Elks contracting with Legacy Golf for a one-year management deal, along with a statement from the club that sale is "off the table".  But yesterday at the course, the talk was that there IS perhaps a pending sale.

FWIW, the course itself was as enjoyable as ever.  The greens were in GREAT condition, and the fairways, to my surprise, had been overseeded.  I doubt many of us on GCA are fans of overseeding in general, but this time of year it's a bit of a relief to play on an overseeded course in the southeast because it dries things out at least a little bit, and because the dormant bermuda by now is so thin and soggy.  The course was rough around the edges, with washouts and lots of VERY bare hardpan, but all in all I was impressed by the conditions for late March. 

And, as always at SPGC, you wonder what might happen, good AND bad, were the course to come under the control of a new owner.  As wonderful as the conditioning at the McConnell courses is, I'd be really afraid of a conversion at SPGC to Champion Bermuda greens; at those speeds, a lot of cool pin positions would be lost, and several greens would have to be recontoured.

So does anybody KNOW anything?

[Brian Ross]

A.G.,

Here's what I know.

There is a group who showed up in February to take a look at the course. They kept everything surrounding their visit very under wraps while they were here. There are, I believe three total people within the Elks organization who know the names of those involved.

This group made an offer to purchase the property for 3.2 million which was accepted. Their offer was contingent on a 45-day Due Diligence Period, which if my timing is correct, should be up this week.

There is a rumor going around that they closed on the property last Sunday, but I have no idea if that is accurate or not. Haven't heard much besides that recently, though obviously we are very interested to find out who it is.

[Carl Rogers]

Living +/-4.5 hours away, SP is a must play (along with the usual suspects) when in the neighborhood.  I could tolerate a $25 increase.

[A.G._Crockett]

A.G.,

Here's what I know.

There is a group who showed up in February to take a look at the course. They kept everything surrounding their visit very under wraps while they were here. There are, I believe three total people within the Elks organization who know the names of those involved.

This group made an offer to purchase the property for 3.2 million which was accepted. Their offer was contingent on a 45-day Due Diligence Period, which if my timing is correct, should be up this week.

There is a rumor going around that they closed on the property last Sunday, but I have no idea if that is accurate or not. Haven't heard much besides that recently, though obviously we are very interested to find out who it is.

Brian,
Thanks; this connects with and expands on what I was told yesterday, especially the part about the secrecy of the process. 

Do you know if the sale includes the additional 100 acres that is mentioned in the articles about the McConnell deal?  I'm assuming that this is the land that had the two additional nines, or at least some of it. 

If you hear any more as time goes by, please update us; I am very curious, to say the least.

[Brian Ross]

Do you know if the sale includes the additional 100 acres that is mentioned in the articles about the McConnell deal?

Per my understanding, this deal does include the +/- 100 acres you mentioned. This includes the former 9 holes that has gone to seed as well as some raw land to the south and east of the existing golf course. If I remember correctly, the Elks would retain the existing clubhouse building and the pool, while the new buyers would own the golf course, vacant land, and the lodge building. Will update if/when I hear anything new.

[Edward Glidewell]

I found this article about the potential sale:


http://www.thepilot.com/news/buyer-weighing-purchase-of-sp-golf-club-from-elks-club/article_b347535a-0dc9-11e8-b604-9787fe2b89ea.html