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Tag: WIndermere Club

  • Windermere golf course tax sale set for July 6

    BLYTHEWOOD – Last summer, there appeared to be new hope that the financially troubled Windermere golf course and country club, situated in the heart of LongCreek Plantation subdivision, would be purchased and flourish.

    This summer is a different story. Next week, the golf course, club house and 80 acres of undeveloped land will be up for auction in a tax sale at the Richland County Courthouse.

    According to LongCreek Plantation Property Owners Association (LCPPOA) president Rob Szwec, Windermere POA members were notified via email last week by the LCPPOA that the foreclosure sale is to take place on Monday and that the LCPPOA will not be participating in the auction.

    The Windermere Club and golf course are owned by John T. Bakhaus, Fairways Development, LLC, et al.

    A potential buyer, L&J Acquisitions of Snellville, Georgia, announced plans last August to rename the club to The Blythewood Country Club and launched extensive improvements to the golf course and club house.

    “We’re going to bring this Pete Dye course back to its former glory,” new club manager Fred Layman, told club members during an open house at the club at the time.

    By September, however, the sale was on pause and eventually failed to materialize.

    The foreclosure follows on the heels of the sale of the Golf Course of South Carolina last year to E-Capital, a Texas investment firm that had the property rezoned for hundreds of homes. While the firm’s attorney Robert Fuller told council that E-Capital plans to flip the property, the zoning for homes would follow the sale to a developer.

    The sale was opposed by the majority of homeowners in the adjacent Crickentree neighborhood who accused their Richland County Council representative, Joyce Dickerson, of backing the developer. Dickerson was defeated last month in her bid for a fourth term.

    The Windermere Club, golf course and Windermere communities lie in Richland County Councilman Calvin ‘Chip’ Jackson’s district. Jackson told The Voice that he would not like to see the outcome of unhappy homeowners in the Windermere communities as he saw in Crickentree and is hopeful that something good happens before time runs out.

    “I believe that the beauty and quality of life that the golf course provides for its members, community residents and neighboring communities is absolutely essential,” Jackson said. “The attention to green space and protecting the surrounding natural environment is what makes this area special.  I applaud the work of the Home Owner’s Association, the Conservation Commission, and the Soil and Water District, for working together to preserve this community. And I would fully support any efforts to maintain this standard and hope it remains that way in the future for this community.”

  • New Owners – New Club: Introducing the Blythewood Country Club

    Photos: Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – The new Blythewood Country Club open house on Friday welcomed an outdoor patio full of guests to the new look of the former Windermere Club.

    Fred Layman, the club’s manager, introduced Jorge Martinez, the president and Principle Partner, COO David Biscan and other principles of the new venture.

    Guests enjoyed live music and complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs and wine on the patio overlooking the lake. The club offered special rates on Friday for golfers and tours of the new 3,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center that also overlooks the lake.

    The Pete Dye golf course and the dining facilities are open to the public.

    For membership information or to tour the renovated facility, call Layman at 786-6088.

    • Sam Brick, Vandice and John Aguiar, and Tyler Barton
    • Rick and Tina Johnson, Gaba and Dale Jarvis
    • Mickey Dinkins, Ann Dedman, Karen Brazell, Joey Dedman, Scott Arquilla, Todd Dinkins
    • Linda Schade, Lisa Adams, Taylor Feuerstein, Yvonne Farra
    • Grayson Macfarland, 6, Margaret Brunecz and Lydia and Jorge Escobedo
    • Curtis Moffit, Naomi Lankford, Tommy and Gwen Barnes
    • Cameron Flemming, Brandon and Laura Denning, Evelyn Denning

  • New Blythewood Country Club Open House set for Aug. 23

    New Owner Aims To Bring Former Windermere Club Back To Glory Days

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Windermere Club is being purchased by a Snellville GA company, L&J Acquisitions, and is now called Blythewood Country Club. Under the new ownership, the Club will be managed by Fred Layman who said the name change is the tip of the iceberg of what’s new at the Club.

    “We’re renovating not only the facilities but its services as well,” Layman said. “We have a new 3,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center that overlooks a breathtaking view of the lake. There will also be new events for members such as sunset socials on Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.

    The golf course has also undergone extensive renovations.

    “We’re bringing this Pete Dye course back to its former glory,” Layman said. “We’ve converted our greens to a top Bermuda grass – Champion G-12,” The newly converted front nine green will be available starting Friday morning at reduced rates.

    “We have also initiated an outstanding junior program for young golfers, tennis players and swimmers. We have other offerings as well, including a semi-private atmosphere for members that includes an open-to-the-public golf course and dining area, but members will have first rights to tee times,” Layman said.

    Layman said the Fitness center, pool, indoor and outdoor tennis center and overall amenities are still for members only, but members may bring a guest.

     “I don’t know if people in the community realize that this club offers more amenities than any other club in the area. Plus, we offer significantly lower rates than other clubs in the area,” he said. ”Current Windermere Club memberships are being grandfathered in.”

    The Club’s new owner, management and other principles will be on hand at an open house at the Club on Friday, Aug. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. Complimentary beer, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available.  Those planning to attend are asked to phone in reservations to allow for sufficient food preparation. Layman said special membership discounts will also be available at the open house.

    The Blythewood Country Club is located at 1101 Longtown Road East in Blythewood.  For more information or to make a reservation for the open house, call 786-6088.

    “We have a great new future here,” Layman said. “Our goal is to bring the club back up to its glory days.”

    L&J Acquisitions also owns The Country Club of Gwinnett (GA) and is looking to purchase two others. Jorge Martinez is President and Principal Partner of the Blythewood Country Club. David Biscan is the COO of L&J Acquisitions.