Giving up the golf course they operated for more than 25 years proved emotional for the Eschbach family, said Wendy Eschbach, former owner of the Upper Perkiomen Golf Course in Upper Hanover Township.
Adding to the pain was the fact that her mother had to be hospitalized during settlement talks that transferred ownership of the course to Harleysville-based developer T.H. Properties, Eschbach said.
"It was very difficult. Our mother passed away March 14," she said. "It was a difficult period for all of us."
Helping to lessen the blow, Eschbach said, was the fact that THP is operating the golf course under its new name of The Hills at Perkiomen before building a 714-unit residential development there.
"They said they would run it as a golf course until they got all their necessary permits," she said. "It's a transition period for not only us but for the community. It gives us all time to prepare for the transition."
The Eschbachs and THP reached settlement on March 1.
On Nov. 11, THP requested a zoning change to build 504 townhouses averaging about 2,000 square feet and 210 apartment units of varying sizes.
After reviewing plans for the proposed Redwood development, municipal officials sent THP back to the drawing board with several suggestions, Township Manager Stan Seitzinger said.
"The biggest thing is the mix of types of homes that might be included at the site," he said. "Initially it was all townhouses and apartments. Now I think there's a little more chance there could be single-family homes and other types of varying housing to make it a more attractive project."
So while they await final approval from the township, THP officials are running a golf course.
"It is not something we have done before," said Richard Parry, THP senior approval specialist.
The same employees continue to staff the course, Parry said. One of those employees, golf professional Craig Frank, said the developer has been able to pour money into the course and improve the fairways and bunkers.
"THP has put a lot of time and energy into the advertising to help us out that way, too," Frank said. "For next year we're supposed to be open. That is what they've told me."
Parry said his company plans to shut down the course as soon as it receives approval. Parry and Seitzinger said they could not predict when a viable plan will be finalized for the residential development, but the company and township are working to get to that point.
Parry said THP hopes to present more appealing plans to the township within the next couple of months.
Meanwhile, Eschbach and others in the community continue to enjoy the golf course her parents opened in the 1970s.
"I play there," Eschbach said. "In fact, I'm going to play nine holes tonight with my friends."
Source: Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
