Article Courtesy of The
Osprey Observer
By Brad Stager
Published May 19, 2019
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If
you are looking to upgrade from an indoor putting green or golf simulator, a
local championship-level golf course has hit the market.
River Hills Country Club and it is almost
200 acres of land and facilities, including an 18-hole
course designed by legendary designer Joe Lee, is for sale
at an asking price of $3.35 million.
You also get amenities like a 13,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, a
pro shop as well as men and women locker rooms. Other
athletic and lifestyle facilities include a fitness center
and swimming pool as well as basketball, sand volleyball and
tennis courts.
Besides physical recreation, River Hills dining and banquet
facilities have been locations for countless family and
community celebrations, ranging from wedding receptions to
charitable chili cook-offs.
How all that will change after the sale of the club, which
was established in 1989, remains to be seen.
In the near future, not much is expected to be different,
according to River Hills General Manager Tom Ritenour in an
email. “The club and all club staff continue to operate on a
normal basis and we will continue to strive to give the
members and their guests the best experience possible.”
There are a few options available to buyers, according to
Steve Ekovich, the national managing director of the Leisure
Investment Properties Group of Marcus & Millichap, who is
handling the club’s sale.
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An aerial view of the River Hills Country Club golf
course from the club's Facebook page. The course and facilities are
for sale.
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According to Ekovich, new owners could turn it into a
public course, make it semiprivate, keep it private as it is or develop part
or all of the site as apartments, a rehabilitation center or an assisted
living facility. Ekovich said he is getting interest from prospective buyers
who are leaning toward development of the property.
“We’re talking to those types of people right now,” said Ekovich, who added
that if a buyer continues to operate the club and course as it is now, a
deal could close in six months, but if development is the buyer’s intention,
the process could last up to two years.
The River Hills golf course was designed by ‘Gentleman’ Joe Lee, who
according to golfadvisor.com designed 146 courses in the second half of the
20th century, reshaping the landscape of Florida with 71 courses in the
state including Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge outside of Orlando.
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