Source: The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Tega Cay, S.C. - City officials are considering purchasing the Tega Cay Golf Club for about $3 million.
The club includes 27 holes of golf, tennis courts, pro shops, a restaurant inside a 1,500 square-foot building and a pavilion on about 150 acres.
Newland Communities, headquartered in San Diego, owns the club and also developed the Lake Shore subdivision of about 350 homes and townhomes in Tega Cay.
Residents can voice their opinions on the city buying the golf club at a public meeting on Jan. 10.
Discussion between the city and Newland Communities began in October.
"The golf course has been a central focus of the community," said Tega Cay City Manager Grant Duffield.
The club owners said they plan to sell the club when they're done with the Lake Shore subdivision, which is about two years from being completed, said Larry Burton, vice president of operations for the company's Charlotte area operation.
Newland employees moved from Tega Cay three weeks ago to a Charlotte office.
Duffield said the city knew Newland planned to sell and they wanted the next buyer of the club to bring good service to residents.
It is still unclear if any services or prices for a round of golf would change if the city buys the club, Duffield said. Fees for golf range from $25 to $60, according to the club's Web site. Annual memberships are $1,895 for individuals and $2,495 for families.
The area around the golf club could be used for the proposed community center that city officials are considering, Duffield said. City officials have considered asking residents if they could increase taxes to pay for a new $6 million community center through a bond referendum.
A city committee will suggest locations for a community center to the council. If the golf club isn't selected for the site, Duffield said, city officials don't know whether they would still purchase the golf club.
