Pine Hills sold; houses to be built on course

Pine Hills sold; houses to be built on course By Greg Hilburn [email protected] Southern Pines Country Club’s partners will close their Pine Hills golf course in Calhoun and sell it to local developers who plan to build luxury residential housing on the land. Todd Perry, one of Southern Pines’ five partners, said his group will continue toownand operate Southern Pines’ 18-hole Calvert Crossing course and residential development in western Ouachita Parish. Perry and his partners bought the 18hole Pine Hills course and club in 2008 and joined it with Calvert Crossing under the banner Southern Pines. But Perry said a declining membershipdictatedthesaleofPineHillstoFair See COURSE, Page 10A Article Continued Below See COURSE on Page A10 Course Continued from Page 1A banks Development of Sterlington, which is ownedbyKennethHarper of West Monroe and Rockland Burks of Sterlington. Harper said the deal stipulates he and Burks must close the course, but the partners are seeking entrepreneurs to reopen the pool and the fitness center and operate the clubhouse restaurant and tennis courts. “We’re excited about what we believe will be a primeresidential development,” said Harper, who said he and Burks are also developing suburbs in Fairbanks. “We’re selling the land in 5- to 10-acre plots. “Even though we’re required to close the course, we’re going to keep as much of the beauty of it as possible, including the water features,” he said. Harper said the deal is set to close Dec. 6 but could happen sooner. Perry said he and his partners were disappointed the market couldn’t support both courses, but business dictated their decision to divest the property from Southern Pines. “Unfortunately, the membership base could only support one course,” Perry said. “It was our hope and our plan to operate two vibrant courses for our members, but I think the economy wasn’t strong enough for that to happen.” Perry, who didn’t disclose the sale price, said funds from the sale will be used to enhance Calvert Crossing. “We’ll take those resourcesandputthemback into Calvert,” he said. Perry said Southern Pines had 930 members at its peak, but that number has declined to 500 members. The Pine Hills property, which was built in 1974, encompasses 140 acres. Perry said Pine Hills will close at the end of November. In the meantime, he said the partners will give public access to Pine Hills “so anyone who has enjoyed the course over the years can come play and say goodbye,” he said. Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter@GregHilburn1. Todd Perry, right, and his partners bought Pine Hills from John Smith in 2008. FILE PHOTO/THE NEWS-STAR