Galloway Township, NJ – Ole Hansen and Sons, Inc. has announced the pending sale of the West Course at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club to RDC Golf Group, according to Roger Hansen, chairman of Ole Hansen and Sons. This follows an announcement in 2004 that the East Course at Blue Heron Pines would be sold to developer K. Hovnanian Co.
It is anticipated that RDC will assume ownership on or around April 25th. RDC would then operate both the East and West courses for the 2005 season, following which the East Course is expected to close pending the receipt of approvals for the development of an age-restricted senior housing community on the property by K. Hovnanian. That is expected to take place on or after November 1, 2005, after which the East Course would no longer be available for public play.
“The sale of the West Course at Blue Heron Pines reflects a continuing transition on the part of Ole Hansen and Sons to focus more on our other business interests,” said Roger Hansen. “These include our transportation and real estate interests, as well as our private golf club, Hidden Creek, which has been acclaimed as one of the finest golf courses in the United States.
“Our decision is also reflective of the economic state of the golf industry,” added Hansen. “Our region, like many others in the U.S., is oversaturated with upscale daily fee courses. We are operating in a very competitive environment, one that demands our full time energy and attention if we are to maintain a leadership position in the marketplace. Given our other business interests and our firm commitment to Hidden Creek, that is no longer possible.
“We are proud to have been at the forefront of the upscale daily fee golf movement in southern New Jersey, and equally proud of the role we’ve played in positioning the Jersey Shore as a bona fide golf destination. We are confident that Blue Heron Pines will continue to distinguish itself under RDC’s ownership, and pleased that RDC intends to continue to operate the club as a market-leading upscale public facility with a strong membership base as well.”
Blue Heron Pines (West) opened in 1993 as the first non-resort, championship caliber upscale daily fee golf course in southern New Jersey. It was designed by Stephen Kay. The East Course, designed by Steve Smyers and site of the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, opened in 2000.
RDC Golf Group is a full-service golf course and country club management firm that owns and manages seven courses in three states, including the highly acclaimed Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, NJ, where RDC is based. For more information about the company, visit www.rdcgolfgroup.com. For more information on Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, visit www.blueheronpines.com.
Contacts: Rodger Gottlieb ~ 609.484.0750 ~ rodgergottlieb@yahoo.com
RDC Golf Group: Matt Galvin, Executive Vice President ~ 732.656.8900
or Suzy Abrams-Jones ~ 203.618.1864
