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After more than three months, the "closed" signs are gone and the golf course at Burnt Store Marina opened for business. All thanks to the people who live there. "The golf course belongs to the neighborhood. I'm glad they decided to reopen it," said Burnt Store Marina resident Don Carberry, 79, who lives on board his 32-foot sailboat and plays golf once a week. "This is the first time I've come to play since they reopened." Course owner Will Stout closed the course March 16 as unprofitable. He said his company Realmark Group lost $1.1 million a year since buying it in December 2005. Stout offered to lease the course, clubhouse and restaurant for $1 a year plus the costs associated with running the business. The residents put the proposition to a vote. With 1,659 residents voting, leasing the course won by a 777 margin in May. The lease could last as long as 10 years. The lease specifies that it is for five with an option for another five. Residents could withdraw from the lease at any time without penalty. When they voted to take over the course, residents incurred a higher homeowner fee. Residents in Burnt Store Marina have been billed an additional $300 to help cover golf-course costs, which increased their fee to $760 an owner for 2007. In 2008, the dues will be $860 a year. The yearly assessment could help reduce any deficit at the course. The residents also hired a management team, Master Link Club Service, devoted to managing golf courses, to run their course. The management firm plans an assertive campaign to fill the rolls of the golf club's membership to keep it in the black, said Tary Kettle, Master Link president. "So far more than 50 percent have paid the assessment," said Hans Rentsch, 73, vice president of the master homeowners association Section 22. Rentsch played nine holes and came into the clubhouse drenched in sweat Tuesday. "The golf course is in the best shape it's ever been in," Rentsch said. "The score, not so." It takes 20 employees to run the pro shop and maintain the course's 27 holes, greens and fairways. The course sits on part of 125 recreational acres in the 626-acre development. The staff also looks after the golf carts and has other duties. Master Link hired about 90 percent of the staff back that had been let go when the course closed. "We have Ray Davis coming back as a pro on the instructional side," Kettle said. "He was very popular when the club was at its peak about 14 years ago." Plans call for the restaurant to reopen July 14 with a staff of 11 for breakfast, lunch and special events. "I think that the clubhouse (with its restaurant) will have more cross sharing among communities and won't just be used by golfers," said Burnt Store Marina resident Tom Woodling. "That is a great benefit."
BURNT STORE MARINA FACTS
CITRUS SPRINGS, FL. - El Diablo Golf and Country Club, long considered one of Florida's premier public courses, is emerging from a period of major improvements both on and off the golf course that will allow the club to retain its lofty status. "The golfing experience for our players at El Diablo matches the status as a world class golf course," said Bryan Bittiker, the club manager. "Not only have we elevated our customer service standards but the course conditions today tell you why it was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars when it opened and continues at that level today." El Diablo was recently ranked by Golf Week magazine as the 17th best public course in golf rich Florida. The course, designed by Jim Fazio, has always been ranked among the state's top 20 best public courses. "We also replaced the old wooden steps and walls with new, state-of-the-art precast steps and redi-rock walls," said Lonny Herndon, the El Diablo superintendent. Herndon also added a waterfall and two fountains to the signature 11th hole, the third and 12th holes. Herndon also constructed a new pond near the ninth tee and will implement revamping the bunkers and adding new sand in the near future. El Diablo, which translates into "The Devil" in Spanish, was named America's best new affordable golf course by Golf Digest magazine when it opened in 1998. "We're excited this course continues to stand out in a very competitive industry that has been challenged in recent years," said Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink Club Services, a club and lifestyle management company under the umbrella of The Link Related Companies. "Our staff has been quietly making improvements both on and off the course and we continue to show double digit growth in a challenging environment," Kettle said. "We are very fortunate to have an ownership group with an unwavering commitment to continue to improve El Diablo." "The club continues to remain popular with players in the entire Central Florida market," Bittiker said. "If we continue to add value to the El Diablo experience, our growth will continue." Bittiker also indicated they are looking to make significant improvements to the clubhouse facility in the very near future. El Diablo is centrally located in Citrus Springs, 27 miles north of Brooksville on U.S. 41 or 12 miles southwest of Ocala and I-75.
CONTACT: Brian Bittiker (878) 886-1309 or www.eldiablogolf.com or
NAPLES, FL - MasterLink Club Services, Inc., a club management and consulting company, announced that an agreement has been reached with Sunvest Communities USA to continue management and staffing of Eaglewood Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. Eaglewood, an 18-hole public facility with 900 residential units, was recently purchased by EW Golf Development, LLC, and an affiliated entity of Hallandale, Fla.-based Sunvest Communities USA from the Archon Group, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs. Sunvest USA, with properties in Florida, Arizona and Las Vegas, acquired the Eaglewood property with the intent to convert the apartment units to condominiums. "Archon had a terrific, long standing relationship with MasterLink from both the golf course management and staffing so we're glad to have them stay in place," said Harris Friedman of Sunvest Communities USA. MasterLink, an affiliated company of the Lifestyle-Link, Inc. related companies, provides management or consulting services to a wide variety of companies throughout Florida, including golf and tennis clubs, deep-water marinas, lifestyle communities and upscale shopping developments. "We're excited to continue with the property," said Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink. "Eaglewood is in one of the fastest growing areas of Orlando, if not the country, and this will enable us to continue our growth in a key core area - the club industry and being a solution provider in staffing." Eaglewood Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course, including a clubhouse with restaurant facilities, a pro shop and lighted driving range, serving as a primary amenity for the Eaglewood community. "We will continue to operate every facet of the club as we have since taking over management," Kettle said. "With the acquisition by Sunvest, the club will continue to grow in the local market, providing residents and Orlando-area golfers a great value."
NAPLES, FL. - MasterLink Club Services, Inc. has continued its growth while providing key management positions for the golf club and lifestyle industry in Florida. Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink, indicated the company, with management or consulting agreements with many well respected lifestyle amenity, club, residential and mixed use owners and developers in the United States, will continue to grow the staffing component. "Our goal is to be recognized as a leading solutions provider in not only the club industry but the many multi-facetted lifestyle developments, both residential and mixed-use," Kettle said. "Staffing is a continuation of what we provide, conceptualization, design, structuring and operating developments." "The club, lifestyle developments and mixed-use development process continues to expand and this in turn raises many complex issues for owners and members," Kettle said. "Securing the proper staffing components is not a simple solution." "Examples of our recent placements show a wide range of completed assignments, from general manager positions at clubs to turn key, core staffing at the Marina at Factory Bay on Marco Island," Kettle said. MasterLink Club Services provides management or consulting services to a wide variety of clients, from golf and tennis clubs to deep-water marinas, lifestyle communities, upscale shopping, galleries and a variety of restaurants. The company is based in Naples with an office in Orlando
Kevin Stoneburner has established a new Naples scene for waterfront entertainment. More than five years ago, Stoneburner became one of several urban pioneers when he created Bayfront in downtown Naples, Florida. Bayfront captures the ambience of a seaside village with a combination of residential living, dining, shopping and entertainment on the Gordon River. "When I first conceived Bayfront and its luxury lifestyle I was dedicated to smart growth, extending downtown Naples to Bayfront," Stoneburner said. "Today you can park your car at Bayfront and spend a full day or evening meandering throughout the area that is connected with walkways." Now a new 41-slip marina is presently being added to the amenities and marketed for sale, at the entrance to Naples Bay. The expansion will continue with the projected opening of two more mixed-use buildings, adding 11 residences to the present 156 in the first four residential buildings. The expansion will also include additional office and retail space and secured underground parking. "Bayfront had previously emerged as a destination for living," Stoneburner said. "Now there is a terrific mix of restaurants and shops that match everything else in the area, our niche is well established and improving everyday." Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink Club Services, has a management agreement with Bayfront regarding the marina and a consulting contract relating to the amenities. The recent addition of Meritage gives Bayfront four unique dining experiences with Stoney's Steakhouse, IL Bellagio and Catch 22 already experiencing a successful winter season. Bayfront is also home to Café Meritage for breakfast and IL Bellagio, Catch 22 and Cafe Meritage for lunch. Naples dining legend Cloyde Pate, famous for nearby Fifth Avenue and other Naples restaurants, operates Catch 22 and has taken notice of an expanding downtown waterfront experience and the increased traffic at Bayfront. "Dining at Bayfront has become more than merely eating a meal, it is an evening memorable in every way from start to finish," Pate said. "The waterfront gazebo bar on the water next to the marina, Shane's Cabana Bar, allows you to enjoy entertainment and a waterfront atmosphere throughout the day." IL Bellagio is the sister to established East Coast restaurants featuring upscale Italian cuisine. Catch 22, like IL Bellagio, is directly on the Gordon River and has redefined the fish and oyster bar experience. Stoney's Steakhouse has joined Naples' great steakhouse list with the Old World feel of a famed Chicago steakhouse. Among the retail shops at Bayfront are Bayfront Boutique for Women, Blue Diamond Jeweler, Cerruti, Jennings of Naples, a fine china and crystal shop with home accessories and gifts and Sweet Gemellis, a cafe offering sweets, gelato, international coffees, an old fashion soda fountain and gourmet bakery. Additional shops are expected in the near future. Premier Properties of Southwest Florida Realtors and famed luxury hair salon Robert of Philadelphia are also located at Bayfront. "Downtown Naples has a diverse dining scene, a vibrant social setting, and people with discriminating taste," Stoneburner said. "My philosophy was to take Bayfront and blend into that scene and establish an incredible downtown Naples waterfront entertainment experience."
New developer/owner of Hibiscus Golf Club plans improvements NAPLES, FL. - Location matters in Collier County, and developer David W. Nassif is betting on East Naples. Nassif and his company, Nassif Golf Ventures LLC recently bought Hibiscus Golf Club from Miami-based Lennar Partners Inc. for $3.8 million. The 18-hole public course is located on Rattlesnake-Hammock Road not far from U.S. 41 East. It's in an area that has good demographics and an increasing number of homes, said Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink Club Services Inc., which will help manage the course. Nassif hasn't mapped out a clear plan for the property, he said. But initial plans are to improve the club by evaluating and possibly enhancing the course, the clubhouse, restaurant and parking lot, Kettle said. In general, the appearance of the club has been neglected, Kettle said. "The whole goal is to make a better experience," he said. That's what the customer wants, Kettle said. "It's more appealing to the eye," Kettle said. "It's more appealing to the golfer. It's just more appealing and better received by our customer." A new management team and golf professionals are being brought in to help, he said. Hibiscus is a great asset that needs a little attention, Nassif said, but he wants to keep it available at a good price. Nassif is the son of the late David E. Nassif, a former partner of Jack Antaramian. Summer prices are $25 before noon and $18 in the afternoon. The high-season price should be around $75 in the morning and $50 in the afternoon after improvements are made to the course. The course accommodates between 45,000 and 48,000 rounds of golf a year, Kettle said. The national average is around 30,000. Private clubs bring in between 15,000 and 20,000, he said. Naples doesn't have many fully private clubs, Kettle said. There are only around four or five full public courses. That's not a lot given that there are more than 80 golf courses in Collier, he said. A private course's goal is to offer members a premium experience and break even, he said. High private initiation fees make a public course attractive even for people who have the money for a private membership, Kettle said. "Everybody thinks it's her majesty's game, and it's really not," he said.
by Kathryn Helmke - Naples Daily News
Date: April, 2004
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MasterLink Club Services, Inc. |
