Boone Golf Club

[huskie3]

Boone Golf Club was always fun to play. Being able to go out there after class and play a round before hitting the library for study was calming.

[AppUSMC]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

[boonetown1]

I guess my question is how do we bring this topic to the right folks?

Way i understand it was that at the public meeting the potential sellers didnt care.

Seems like the adams want to keep it . Maybe the town or university could buy half and let the family continue running operations.

[AppYosef!]

In my home area (within 20 miles) we've lost several golf courses in the last few years. One became a 9 hole course and is struggling. It used to be a go-to course for charity golf tourneys and that just doesn't work as well now with 9 holes. Years ago I called Boone Golf Club about the possibility of having a fundraiser tournament there for an ASU related charity that would have included mostly App alums. I was told they didn't need to have tournaments there because they were so busy all the time...basically told me they did not want us. I called another high-country course and they were more than happy at the chance to host the event. I often drive by the Boone course when I am in town and it always seems to be packed. I guess the profits just aren't what the owners envisioned.

[BambooRdApp]

I am not privy to all the issues/considerations here. Let's assume the club is profitable.
As an owner, you have two avenues ... Recurring cash flow annually... Or cash out in a one time cash play at market value.
It sounds like some owners want to cash out
It is their right to do so
It is just sad to see if the course goes away.
To me, a nine hole course is the path to dying a slow death. Personally, I would drive and play an 18 hole course in the area versus playing a nine hole course.

[asumba95]

Is owned by several families. Half are looking to sell; with plans to destroy the course and develop a 9 hole resort. This is the only public course in town and would hurt the community. Anyone interested should send notes to Boone town council to block rezoning efforts.

It's the only public course in the entire county. I like willow valley but that doesn't count.

I love the "Little Green Monster"

[asumba95]

Closing it would suck.
I had to work through school to pay for it so I took partial loads in Spring and Fall. Went "full time" in summers. I spent many a late afternoon at that place. I used to play 2-3 times a week at Boone or Seven Devils. Both places were affordable and interesting. Seven Devils has been gone a long time. Boone was one of the most fun places I have been and always in good condition. Their greens would rival any.

Most major universities have their own golf courses. I would love for the university to buy it. It would be good for our golf teams and think of the good it could do in the community. People need a relatively cheap and accessible place to play without having to spend a ton on property. If they want to build another golf resort, send their ass out to Bamboo. And yes, holes 2,3 and 4 used to flood a lot.

And people will not come to a 9 hole resort. That's a BS smokescreen.

Boone GC is around $100/round now. I wouldn't call that affordable now.

[311neers]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

[MrCraig]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

[scatman77]

Don't live in Boone but it would be a shame if this happened.
Mountain Aire in West Jefferson is a super nice public layout that is also reasonably priced and close to Boone.

Yes it is. Very nice little course.

[311neers]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

Exactly. At that number it just sounds like a future land grad.
150 acres. +-50 of them wet/floodplain (not developable). So 100 acres of developable land at $170k/acre= $17M. Still seems steep with the time to rezone, interest carry, cost of sitework, and that course has a lot of sitework needed. I was hoping closer to $5-6M as stated by another poster. That is an attainable number for most to buy but I don't think any public institution is touching it for $17M.

[BeauFoster]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

Northstone CC, in Huntersville, is perpetually “for sale”, the private ownership group values it for the the cost of developable land (supposedly around $20mil). The group that bought Larkin wanted to buy it, but heard the number and laughed. I wish they would have, the course could be amazing if they had the right maintenance budget. Much of the back 9 is in a flood plain and could not be built on without significant work. Similar to Boone GC.

Golf courses are facing steep challenges right now. The cost of maintenance equipment and materials continues to skyrocket. Fertilizer prices are triple what they were 6 years ago. Equipment is double. Then there’s labor-most courses have an extremely difficult time finding people to work on the grounds crews, and that continues to get harder every day (steering clear of the political side of this, but it is the biggest factor, according to the supers I’ve spoken with). It’s a headache that a lot of private ownership group don’t want to deal with anymore. They can make money, but they can’t forecast earnings even a year out due to constantly changing policies that are impacting every single aspect of their business.

[AppSt94]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

Northstone CC, in Huntersville, is perpetually “for sale”, the private ownership group values it for the the cost of developable land (supposedly around $20mil). The group that bought Larkin wanted to buy it, but heard the number and laughed. I wish they would have, the course could be amazing if they had the right maintenance budget. Much of the back 9 is in a flood plain and could not be built on without significant work. Similar to Boone GC.

Golf courses are facing steep challenges right now. The cost of maintenance equipment and materials continues to skyrocket. Fertilizer prices are triple what they were 6 years ago. Equipment is double. Then there’s labor-most courses have an extremely difficult time finding people to work on the grounds crews, and that continues to get harder every day (steering clear of the political side of this, but it is the biggest factor, according to the supers I’ve spoken with). It’s a headache that a lot of private ownership group don’t want to deal with anymore. They can make money, but they can’t forecast earnings even a year out due to constantly changing policies that are impacting every single aspect of their business.

I enjoyed playing Larkins. Haven’t been back though since it was rebranded.

[spacemonkey]

I love to play it though that’s only once or twice a year. I don’t like to see courses sold to developers but I understand the business. How much they want for Boone Golf Course? $6-$7 million?

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

Northstone CC, in Huntersville, is perpetually “for sale”, the private ownership group values it for the the cost of developable land (supposedly around $20mil). The group that bought Larkin wanted to buy it, but heard the number and laughed. I wish they would have, the course could be amazing if they had the right maintenance budget. Much of the back 9 is in a flood plain and could not be built on without significant work. Similar to Boone GC.

Golf courses are facing steep challenges right now. The cost of maintenance equipment and materials continues to skyrocket. Fertilizer prices are triple what they were 6 years ago. Equipment is double. Then there’s labor-most courses have an extremely difficult time finding people to work on the grounds crews, and that continues to get harder every day (steering clear of the political side of this, but it is the biggest factor, according to the supers I’ve spoken with). It’s a headache that a lot of private ownership group don’t want to deal with anymore. They can make money, but they can’t forecast earnings even a year out due to constantly changing policies that are impacting every single aspect of their business.

This is why the city needs to buy it. They are the only ones that can afford the equipment because they can use the equipment for more than just the golf course...or use existing equipment when the golf course needs it. I truly think this is the way forward for most golf courses if it stays affordable. As you point out, it is hard to turn a profit on golf courses with all of the equipment needs. Also, it is the first expense able to be cut if things get tight on a family budget.

[BeauFoster]

17 million.

Well, there goes the idea of App buying it.
I’d sell too if some bozo wanted to pay $17M for it. That math does not math.
Sounds like a pure land play to me at that number.

I'd assume that $17 mil. figure is based on how much the land could then be sold to developers. I doubt the course, as it is, is worth $17 mil.
It's a shame that lust for money will win out as usual. The owner of the country club where I live wanted to sell and retire. There was talk about the city or county buying it and making it a municipal country club. That didn't happen, it got sold to some investor, and now it's just a big empty field with a couple dilapidated buildings and an empty swimming pool. It could've been a real asset to the community.

Northstone CC, in Huntersville, is perpetually “for sale”, the private ownership group values it for the the cost of developable land (supposedly around $20mil). The group that bought Larkin wanted to buy it, but heard the number and laughed. I wish they would have, the course could be amazing if they had the right maintenance budget. Much of the back 9 is in a flood plain and could not be built on without significant work. Similar to Boone GC.

Golf courses are facing steep challenges right now. The cost of maintenance equipment and materials continues to skyrocket. Fertilizer prices are triple what they were 6 years ago. Equipment is double. Then there’s labor-most courses have an extremely difficult time finding people to work on the grounds crews, and that continues to get harder every day (steering clear of the political side of this, but it is the biggest factor, according to the supers I’ve spoken with). It’s a headache that a lot of private ownership group don’t want to deal with anymore. They can make money, but they can’t forecast earnings even a year out due to constantly changing policies that are impacting every single aspect of their business.

I enjoyed playing Larkins. Haven’t been back though since it was rebranded.

I played it earlier this summer. It’s in good shape (and it should be, it’s owned in part by the Metrolina Greenhouses family) and they’re trying hard to increase their membership base. Clubhouse is great. But they have no driving range and pace of play is abysmal. My round took 5+ hours, and there were no rangers around to get the dorks in front of us to pick it up.