Posted on 8/14/2019, by Caryn Little on WCCBCharlotte.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) — Skybrook Golf Club was initially designed to be one of the premier golf courses in the Charlotte area. However, poor management, market fluctuations, and lack luster ownership over the past 15 years had slowly let this gem of a course become unpolished and in need of serious repair.
In addition, uncertainty regarding the course’s future put a cloud over all 1,153 homes; and there was real concern over their future home values. A real estate packet, distributed by the golf course owners, offered the facility as a course or possibly separating it into 8 parcels of development land. This sparked the community into action. Craig Sandhaus, HOA President, said “When I saw that packet, I knew I couldn’t let this happen to our community.
Developing some of the golf course property and letting the rest go brown would be disastrous. So, I reached out to my ‘Dream Team’ and asked them if they could help.” Sandhaus’s first call was to DR Bryan and John Coley, Principals at Bryan Properties. They are the original developer of Skybrook and continue to develop land in the area; and Sandhaus knew they have a vested interest in Skybrook. Then he contacted Kim Worrel and David Taylor who own the Charlotte-based, Pinnacle Golf Properties. Their firm was hired 2 years ago by the owner to operate the facility and have gained tremendous support from the residents with all the positive changes at the course despite limited financial support. “Pinnacle has worked miracles with the course since their arrival; and they have incredible expertise.” Sandhaus concluded. He met with all four members and knew they were the perfect group to save the community from this potential catastrophe. Soon after, the four members formed Skybrook Golf, LLC and initiated an effort to purchase the course.
After months of negotiation and deliberation, the former ownership agreed to sell the course to Skybrook Golf, LLC. Sandhaus now had his Dream Team, but the work was just beginning. After 10+ years of neglected capital improvements, the new ownership knew it would be an uphill battle to bring the course back to the level it once was. However, they put a plan in place to improve the course, including re-grassing the greens to mini-verde Bermuda, and renovating the clubhouse to jumpstart the recovery process. The new ownership group met with Sandhaus and asked for help from the Skybrook community. An annual subsidy of $150,000 a year for the next 10 years would help speed up the rebuilding process, and in exchange the owners offered a protective covenant that would secure the golf course remain a golf course for the duration of the 10-year agreement.
Sandhaus brought the idea to the board and they unanimously decided to bring it to a vote. It would take a vote of 75% of all 1,153 residents to pass the amendment which seemed a daunting task. Holding community meetings, recruiting block captains, posting signage, and addressing social media fueled the movement as the community raced to reach the 865 votes required for it to pass. A multitude of Group and One-to-One discussions were had between homeowners to illuminate the benefits of the partnership on home values, safety, and security of having the golf course remain a community asset. Word started to spread like wildfire throughout the community. In just one month from introducing the amendment, the community secured 80% Yes votes (923 votes) and gained approval. “I have never seen anything like what just happened at Skybrook.” says Susan Rouanzion of Cedar Management, which oversees the Skybrook HOA. “This entire community literally came together overnight to support the golf course.”
“Skybrook Golf Club has some of the best bones in the area. Now, with the HOA support, we can expediate many of the capital improvements projects and recover the course from the years of deferred maintenance. It is a new day at Skybrook, and there is no doubt the course will quickly return to the top ranks in the area.”-David Taylor, Skybrook Golf. “We are proud to be associated with such an incredible community”.
The golf course has closed for 10 weeks to work on its renovation projects. It will be renovating the clubhouse, re-grassing the greens with a mini-verde Bermuda grass, improving drainage issues and repairing cart paths. All projects are being posted and updated on their Facebook and Instagram pages (@skybrookgolf).
The Skybrook clubhouse will re-open August 23rd with the golf course re-opening August 31st.
