Changes are ahead, and the new owner is ready to dive into improvements
(UCBJ) – Southern Hills Golf and Country Club in Putnam County will soon be under new ownership. Local builder Sam Cass has purchased the course, with closing set for May 26. The transfer of ownership has gone smoothly, according to Cass.
“There’s been nothing but help and support from previous ownership to make this transition as seamless as possible. My team has been working to learn as much as possible about the day-to-day operations of running a golf course as well as setting up everything (insurance, licenses, permits, etc.) so that we’ll be ready to go on day one.”
Changes are ahead, according to Cass, and his team is ready to dive into improvements.
“I’d love to dive in and start making huge changes to improve the course immediately, but it can get very expensive very quickly,” said Cass.
Patience is key.
“I’m going to do my best to be patient and do my research so that any changes made will be lasting and not have to be redone in the future,” said Cass.
Cass is no stranger to golf or Southern Hills. He has been playing there since he was 12 years old.
“This place is home to me. I’ve met so many great people and lifelong friends through this game and this course,” said Cass.
What was once a seven-day-a-week obsession has slowed with age, responsibility and time. Now that obsession has grown into a dream come true.
“Nowadays, with business and my four children, I’m lucky to get nine holes in a week. Still, this game is a passion of mine and becoming the owner here is a dream come true,” said Cass.
A golf course is a business that ebbs and flows. According to Cass, a golf course isn’t a great investment. It is “very expensive and you’re likely not to turn a profit each year.” He wants to make improvements and build something special at Southern Hills, saying the real investment is in what gets built, not just what’s bought.
“As a builder, if I can build 25-30 houses, it makes the purchase more worthwhile to me and the profits from home sales can then be used for course improvements,” said Cass.
With so many moving parts, running a golf course is tough, according to Cass.
“There really hasn’t been one thing I could single out as the toughest. But there are so many little things, I definitely have my work cut out for me,” said Cass.
Cass is ready to step in and get to work, focused not only on improving the golf course but also on strengthening the community around it.
“I guess if I wanted the public to know anything, it’s that I want to improve this place to the best of my ability, not just the course but the community as well. I want this to be a place people want to live and a course people love to play and I’ll do my absolute best to achieve that,” he said.
Located at 4770 Ben Jared Road, for more information call 931-432-5149, visit HERE or email info@shgc1776.com.
Photo via Southern Hills.
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