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September 2008
EL DIABLO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
ADDING NEW CLUBHOUSE
OCALA, FL. - El Diablo Golf & Country Club, ranked as one of Florida's top public golf courses for over a decade, has added a major addition to its lifestyle amenity package when a new clubhouse is completed in the fall.
The Citrus Springs course, ranked in 2007 as the 17th best public course in golf rich Florida, was designed by Jim Fazio. El Diablo, which translates into "The Devil" in Spanish, was named America's best new public course by Golf Digest magazine when it opened in 1998.
The clubhouse totals 3,000 square feet, including over 750 square feet of retail space. The expansion program will also include a new and expanded parking lot.
The restaurant in the El Diablo clubhouse offers seating for up to 140 players with a full service bar. Breakfast and lunch will initially be served.
"The golf experience at El Diablo, already considered as world class with the golf course, will be elevated with a modern clubhouse facility that completes the amenity package," said Brian Bittiker, the club manager.
El Diablo, located in North Citrus County 20 minutes from Ocala, is managed by MasterLink Club Services, a club and lifestyle management company under the umbrella of The Link Related Companies.
"The club continues to stand out in a very competitive industry," said Tary Kettle, MasterLink president. "We're especially pleased El Diablo has remained popular with the players in Central Florida and we will continue to add value to the experience."
"We are very fortunate to have an ownership group with an unwavering commitment to continue to improve El Diablo," Kettle said.
Kettle also indicated the condition of the course remains among the elite facilities in Florida.
"Lonny Herndon, the superintendent, has continued to elevate course conditions despite increased costs that challenge today's market," Kettle said. "He not only has maintained the course in a superb fashion, it's actually been elevated with improvements including rock work and water fountains."
CONTACT: Brian Bittiker (878) 886-1309 or www.eldiablogolf.com
Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or tkettle@masterlinkinc.com
Date: JUNE 2008
MASTERLINK GUIDES FLORIDA CLUB TO
REORGANIZATION, RECORD MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
MasterLink Club Services (www.masterlinkinc.com) participated in the establishing of a new not-for-profit club entity with an action plan that helped save a golf club from possible extinction. The end result could be a benchmark case for similar situations in the future.
The golf club is now controlled by the Burnt Store Golf and Activity Club located between Cape Coral and Punta Gorda, Florida ( www.bsgac.org). In January 2008, a Lee County, Fla. judge ruled the community's homeowners association had no authority to assess its residents to maintain the course. The lawsuit was brought by a community within Burnt Store named South Shore.
After failing to win an appeal the Board of Directors gave the owner, Realmark Group, notice that it was exiting the lease. A group of active and concerned Burnt Store individuals formed a not-for-profit association and secured 1,162 members in a three-week time period to satisfy a Realmark membership funding stipulation.
The new Burnt Store group signed a five-year lease for the 27-hole property and clubhouse May 29.
Tary Kettle, president of Naples-based MasterLink Club Services, (www.masterlinkinc.com), said the action saved Burnt Store.
"It became a legal, real estate value and lifestyle issue for a community that was built 30 years ago," said Kettle of the 1,900-resident community. "The new logo which features an eternal flame represents the community and club very well."
Board member Bob Wood, president of the new not-for-profit entity, indicated the residents understood what could have happened.
"Without a golf course the property values would have plummeted while impacting the residents' quality of life," Wood said. "This community would have died if the course would have closed." Bob Nuckols and Jim Brown joined Wood in organizing the new entity.
MasterLink Club Services, with operations throughout Florida and offices in Naples and Orlando, operates the club under a contract with the new entity.
"The Burnt Store residents are very committed - I would call selling 1,162 memberships in three weeks committed and phenomenal - and they understand the golf and club experience here is a quality amenity and a significant contribution to the real estate value," Kettle said.
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
Date: June, 2008
MASTERLINK CONTINUES
LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES
NAPLES, FL. - MasterLink Club Services (www.masterlinkinc.com) president Tary Kettle announced this week the company's continued expansion in the representation of clients from large developers to communities in its litigation support services.
MasterLink is a company within The Link Related Companies with offices in Naples and Orlando and throughout Florida, incorporating over two decades of experience serving the golf and leisure communities industry. (www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com)
The litigation support services has focused on medium to large communities and major developers throughout Florida, many of whom already have a working relationship with MasterLink, and owners of hospitality and recreational properties.
"The mission of our litigation support services and consultants is to provide the legal field with a wide range of services for litigation preparedness." Kettle said. "Combining the litigation services with our deep understanding and involvement in the golf and lifestyle communities and hospitality industries gives those entities and our clients a critical support arm, very essential in today's world."
The litigation support service refers to all activities to prepare law firms and legal departments to resolve a case, including expert professional services, opinions, interviewing witnesses, document review and case preparation.
"We continue to specialize in a variety of real estate related services such as management, consulting, staffing, expert witness work, asset management and financial analysis," Kettle said.
MasterLink has previously provided appraisal reviews and counseling marketability services in Florida and the Southeastern United States. Specific interests include complex valuation issues for acquisition and disposition of properties, valuation of major income properties, market and marketability studies and investment analysis. (www.masterlinkinc.com)
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
Date: May 2008
GLENDINNING OF PANAMA CITY APPOINTED
MANAGER AT SUNNY HILLS GOLF & CC
NAPLES, FL. -Jim Glendinning of Panama City has been appointed the new clubhouse/golf operations manager at Sunny Hills Golf and Country Club. (www.sunnyhillsgolfandcountryclub.com)
Glendinning, a Panama City resident the past 15 years, will oversee the operation of a popular public facility that was designed by golf Hall of Famers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi. The 18-hole, par-72 course stretches to 7,095 yards.
"Our goal is to continue and build on an amenities program that allows members and other players to enjoy not only a quality experience but value at the same time," said Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink Club Services, a Florida based golf and lifestyle management company.
"This property is tied to a long standing relationship MasterLink has had with the ownership group since the early 1990's," Kettle said. "Jim in turn will develop and incorporate improvements at Sunny Hills on a consistent basis."
Glendinning, a Maryland native whose father worked in the golf industry, worked in the hospitality industry with the Tampa Hilton Downtown Riverside Hotel for 10 years before moving to Panama City. He has worked in sales and marketing in the marine industry since 1993.
"We plan to incorporate very significant and noticeable upgrades in the next 18 months and nearly all of the additions will greatly enhance the golf experience for the customer," Glendinning said.
"The course is a classic old Florida layout, a ride through nature, designed by two of golf's better known names, Sarazen and Venturi," Glendinning said. "With five sets of tees Sunny Hills is playable for any level of player."
Sunny Hills Golf & CC is located off Route 77 within the master planned community of Sunny Hills that was developed by the Deltona Corporation. The club is seven miles north of Route 20 on Sunny Hills Drive and 38 miles north of Panama City Beach.
The public facility currently has rates ranging from $28.50 to $44.50 with both family and single membership plans available. The clubhouse also features a pro shop and a restaurant with snacks and beverages.
Additional Information: Contact Jim Glendinning, 1-800-956-4455 or MasterLink
at (866) 434-2300 or www.masterlinkinc.com
Date: April, 2008
MASTERLINK ADDS PANAMA CITY COURSE
TO PORTFOLIO OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
PANAMA CITY, FL. ----- Sunny Hills Golf Club, a picturesque golf retreat in the Panama City area, has retained MasterLink Club Services www.masterlinkinc.com
to assist with management of the 27-hole facility.
Sunny Hills, located 20 minutes north of Panama City, was built in 1974 by the Deltona Corporation and designed by Hall of Fame golfers Ken Venturi and Gene Sarazen.
The championship par 72 layout totals 7,095 yards. The public facility also includes a range, pro shop and a full service lounge that serves breakfast and lunch.
"This property is tied to a long standing relationship MasterLink has had with the ownership group since the early 1990's," said Tary Kettle, president of MasterLink, a club and lifestyle management company with offices in Naples and Orlando.
"We have a great relationship with the family that originally developed Marco Island and most recently El Diablo Golf & Country Club in Citrus Springs," Kettle said.
"We intend to increase the scope of Sunny Hills in the northern Florida marketplace, stressing value and a fun experience," Kettle said. "We intend to evaluate the facility and make improvements as needed to attract a great cross section of golfers."
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
Date: January, 2008
MASTERLINK CONTINUING EQUITY CONVERSION
GROWTH IN THE GOLF CLUB AND AMENITY INDUSTRY
NAPLES, FL. - Tary Kettle, the president of Masterlink Club Services, remembers the days of flying his airplane over Southwest Florida over a decade ago and seeing the reflectio
are maturing and the residents and members of golf, yacht harbor marina, and resort club communities are being offered to purchase or assume ownership of the club assets and amenities from the developer or related ownership entity.
Accepting the fact that equity conversion or developer sale of club assets will be an ongoing part of the club business for the next decade, Kettle and Masterlink have added to a long portfolio of success stories in the industry by establishing itself as a leader in the complicated conversion or sale of a club.
Equity conversion or sale indicates the members, residents, Homeowners Association, or another formal group of stakeholders will accept financial and legal responsibility of the entire club in terms worked out with the owner/developer. Many clubs have a difficult time managing this transition successfully, because the strategies that served the developer are probably not appropriate for the long-term benefit of the club.
"Significant changes in the club financial management, membership plans, bylaws, dues, etc. are almost always necessary," Kettle said. "With our experience in the club industry, we can structure a fair transaction that provides value to the owner/developer while providing the club members/residents or stakeholders a fair and efficient transaction and importantly one that will stand the test of time."
Kettle explained a key component in an equity conversion or sale is maintaining a positive environment, a focused timeline of tasks/events and the structure of the transaction that will facilitate and accomplish the conveyance and be established on sound financial footing.
"These situations can be very controversial in a community, but handled effectively it will translate into a positive experience," Kettle said. "With the record growth in the Southwest Florida market in the last decade, a great number of the clubs are nearing a point where the owner/developer is prepared for what should be a natural transition."
"This is somewhat of a natural progression since the club or amenities should migrate to a group of the most interested, vested or appropriate stakeholders in these changing times," Kettle said. "The conversion or sale of a club is significant since developers have committed millions of dollars to clubs and related amenities in the Southwest Florida market."
In addition to the equity conversion or sale projects, Masterlink, an affiliated company of the Link Related Companies based in Naples and Orlando, has also provided management, staffing and consulting services to a wide variety of entities-developers, residential communities, private or public enterprises. Included among Masterlink's clients are golf and tennis clubs, deep-water marinas, lifestyle communities and upscale shopping mixed-use developments. Recent representation includes consulting for the approximate 2,000 residential unit community (4,000 residents) of Burnt Store Marina Golf Club in the securing of interest in the community's 27 hole golf course, clubhouse, restaurant and related amenities. Masterlink Club Services has also announced it has been retained by major Southwest Florida developer Stock Development to manage the equity sale of two premier golf course clubs: The Club at Grandezza in Estero and The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, Florida.
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
December 15, 2007
Developer will sell upscale golf clubs
Stock Development is selling the golf clubs at Grandezza in Estero and Olde Cypress in North Naples.
"We aren't really in the club business," said Blaine Seivey, president of Stock community services. He said the company kept ownership of the clubs to wow potential buyers.
But since the company is no longer selling property, it no longer needs to own the clubhouses, community officials said.
He said the intent has always been to sell the clubs, potentially to the residents of the communities.
He said the company is working with MasterLink, a consulting group that has helped a dozen communities transition from being developer-owned to resident-owned.
"We cannot make any comments as to the likelihood of this happening until we have all the necessary information and have determined the consensus wishes of the golf community and all the residents of Grandezza," wrote Bob Pinnel, president of the Master Homeowners Association in a statement. "That time is many months in the future."
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
December, 2007
BURNT STORE MARINA GOLF CLUB
PRODUCES RECORD MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
No celebrations are scheduled however the members at Burnt Store Marina Golf Club would be justified in saluting themselves for a recent turn around in a grass roots membership drive that produced new record numbers.
Faced with the closing of their golf club and community clubhouse in March 2007 by the owner, Realmark Group, Burnt Store Marina residents organized and voted to lease the course from owner Realmark Group.
With a lease in hand for five years, plus an option for another five, the Burnt Store Marina Golf Club residents, headed by Dick Loughman, president of the master homeowners association, restored the operation of 27-hole golf course, restaurant and community clubhouse.
The club reopened in early July and in mid-November reached the 300 golf membership base. Annual association dues were increased by $400 per residential unit to accommodate the operation of the golf club, community clubhouse, restaurant and related amenities.
"We focused on the correct business model and a smart strategic plan, and the response has been very gratifying," Loughman said. "Our residents believe in this community and the club and the response to our membership drive reflects wide community optimism."
Diane Mattas, who oversees the pro shop at Burnt Store, has noted the success. "The great majority is very committed to make the club a long-term success, understanding the golf experience, restaurant, and now community center and social activities are now a focal point for the community," Mattas said.
Masterlink Club Services, a club and amenity management company based in Naples and Orlando, assisted the Homeowners Association with the leasing of the property, planning, budgeting and reopening of the club. Masterlink now operates and provides the staffing for the facility on a turnkey basis.
"The residents of Burnt Store are focused on having a successful club with value and operating with sound financial effectiveness and efficiency" Masterlink president Tary Kettle said. "We in turn took the opportunity to open and reinvigorate the operation, from clubhouse dining, community activities, to the pro shop to the condition of the course."
INFORMATION: www.masterlinkinc.com or www.thelinkrelatedcompanies.com
CONTACT: Tary Kettle (866) 434-2300 or Dave Kempton (239) 405-1709
tkettle@masterlinkinc.com or dkempton@masterlinkinc.com
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