2014 · Golf course · Article 13 of 20
July 17, 2014: The Ward Family Sells
After 47 years, Brierwood Golf Club left the Ward family. An Arizona investor and a local broker bought the course, clubhouse and lots for about $1.25 million.
On July 17, 2014, the Brierwood Golf Course, its clubhouse and an assortment of residential lots were sold to Blum Investment Group Golf LLC. The buyers were Kevin Blum, a real estate investor based mainly in Arizona, and Chris Sprow, a real estate broker who found the property and became a partner in the venture.
The trade publication Club + Resort Business reported the price at about $1.25 million, citing The Sun News; later reporting gave a range of $1.25 million to $1.5 million. The sale covered roughly 180 acres by one account, including eight undeveloped lots, and more than 160 acres by another. The community's own records put the course property at about 162 acres.
The new owners announced ambitious plans. The greens would be improved first, then the tee boxes. The clubhouse would get a new roof and paint, and the locker rooms would become conference, banquet and private dining space. A local artist would paint a hallway mural. Membership, then around 70, was to grow to 200 or 300 within a few years.
They also looked at the real estate. The plan was to sell the eight lots that came with the course, build custom homes on them, and possibly buy more undeveloped lots around the course. The owners said they had no intention of closing the course for redevelopment.
Public green fees were set at $35 to $45 including a cart, with introductory specials of $25 after 3 p.m. and $20 after 5 p.m. Juniors under 12 played for $5 with an adult. A new superintendent was hired to work on the greens, and the course stayed open during renovations.
Mr. Sprow told the trade press that the owners wanted to honor the history of the course. For the residents, the sale was the first change of ownership in Brierwood's history, and most hoped it would mean a stronger course next door.