Briarwood bucks a trend

[SL_Solow]

From time to time I have reported on my home club, Briarwood CC, a 1921 Colt and Allison design, modified by Nugent and Lohman, and then beautifully renovated by Mark Mungeam.   Late last fall the club received an unsolicited offer to sell its 157 acres in north suburban Chicago for $145 million.  After months of negotiation and significant politicing both on and off our board of directors, the members were asked to take a straw vote to help guide the board in its deliberations.  Our bylaws require an 80% affirmative vote to sell the club.

While a majority otf the members were in favor of a sale, the nays exceeded 40% and thus the measure failed.  The Board voted to inform the developer that negotiations would terminate immediately.

While some voters turned down the offer because they believed it contained too many conditions, nonetheless this action is contrary to the trend which has seen golf courses converted to housing and the like.  I for one am gratified that this wonderful course and club will be preserved.  I would not be surprised if somone takes another run at a purchase in the future, but the price was considered to be very high so it will be difficult to top the offering price.  It is encouraging to find a group that places a premium on the value that a friendly club with a fine golf course brings to the members' quality of life.

[A_Clay_Man]

Shel, Mahzel Tov to you and your members. The north shore is a special place and Briarwood is wise to recognize that, by not selling out, for money anyway.  

[Evan Fleisher]

I'll second that Mazel Tov...preserving a treasure (that has recently gone through a significant amount of TLC) was the RIGHT thing to do, and it is nice to see the membership realize that.

[Steve Lapper]

Did the club ask MJ if he wanted to match or up the bid???

[George Pazin]

Quality of life will always win out, given time to reflect.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Well done Shel.

I'd say you had a pretty good week.  

[PThomas]

congrats Shel!

[Mike_Sweeney]

Well done Shel.

I'd say you had a pretty good week.  

Shelly,

I just hope none of the members yell at you on the first tee!  

[Geoffrey Childs]

Well done Shel.

I'd say you had a pretty good week.  

Shelly,

I just hope none of the members yell at you on the first tee!  

Now that was just mean.   Plus- it was two weeks ago. This week was nothing but smiles.

[Mike_Cirba]

Thanks for the happy note, Shel.  Good to hear some very positive news!

[ed_getka]

Glad to hear that some clubs are being sensible. Good news.

[SL_Solow]

Thanks for the good wishes.  One of the best parts of this result was the smile on the faces of our loyal employees the next day.  When the "atmosphere " of a club is important, no one should underestimate the importance of the staff.

[PCCraig]

The club should have taken the 145 million and built a course elsewhere. Imagine what you could build somewhere nearby with that kind of money. The membership may have its priorities straight, but I never thought the course was all that great. (I mean no offense to that.) Not too many clubs get a chance like that.

A little off topic...I had no idea the real estate up in Deerfield was that high in demand.

[A_Clay_Man]

Pat, I don't see the logic in that. Firstly, where? You couldn't find comparable land anywhere near there. Otherwise this would be buyer would be the one to do it, don't ya think? Sure, you could have someone come in and create a modern monstrosities. But Certainly not with the atmosphere Briarwood has, and clearly respects.

It's as though the members at Briarwood view their Colt and Allison as a work of art, and, by doing so, they have made it a priceless place.

Now who wouldn't want to be a member of a priceless place?

[SL_Solow]

Pat,   each to his own.  When did you last play it/  Not too many Colt & Alison courses around, even if there have been some changes.   Not too many moderns I'd prefer.  Adam is correct about the availability of land.

[PCCraig]

I played it the summer before last I believe. I was under the impression that these people wanted to buy the club for real estate; and I was only throwing that out there as an idea. Something like merit club came to mind, somewhere up north more in Lake County.

I wasn't aware before I had played there that it was a Colt and Allison, but i'm afraid to say I could see more Dick Nugent than Colt. I think Bob O' Link and North Shore seem to be better examples of their work in the Chicagoland area.

Again I hope I'm not insulting anyone's club, I am mearly playing devil's advocate a bit  

[SL_Solow]

Pat;We should play sometime.  There is basically 1 Nugent feature left.  As far as the others, they are fine course but there is next to zero Allison at Bob o and more Nugent.  Fortunately there is still some Ross. North Dhore is closer but it has also been touched by Killian and Nugent as well as Packard.