Bixby closed the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course and stripped the property of anything valuable, like sod and irrigation equipment. Gee said at the time that golf was no longer economically viable on the property. Eventually, the ownership group drained the lakes, too, leaving a barren dirt patch in the middle of the neighborhood.
Full Answer
What happened to Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course?
AHWATUKEE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - There are some pretty nice, upscale golf courses across the Phoenix area. The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course is not one of them. The golf course off of 44th Street and Warner Road has been a mess since it closed down in 2013. "It made a lot of neighbors angry," said homeowner Ed Wise.
How many bunkers are on the lakes at Ahwatukee?
Rated as one of the top 10 executive courses in the country, The Lakes at Ahwatukee offers an enjoyable challenge for seasoned players and beginners alike.This fun layout incorporates 44 bunkers and water coming into play on 13 of the 18 holes.
What happened to the old Lindstrom golf course?
But Lindstrom couldn’t secure enough interest and the course remained in disrepair until fall of 2017, when an Ahwatukee man, Richard Brueninger, reached a deal with Gee to buy it for $1 million. He restored the site to a luxurious green and reopened it for play until he fell in arrears by more than $160,000 on his city water bill.
What happened to the park at club West?
The Club West Golf Course is now called “The Park at Club West” after four investors calling themselves The Edge closed their deal to buy the beleagured site from Wilson Gee. W ilson Gee on Monday closed his deal with four investors who are buying the beleaguered Club West Golf Course and still want to still build some homes on part of it.
Who owns Ahwatukee golf course?
The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course has been a wasteland for more than seven years but owner Wilson Gee said he is working to have it restored a full year ahead of a deadline for its rebirth that was set by a judge.
Who is Wilson Gee?
Wilson Gee - Managing Member - Ahwatukee Golf Properties, LLC | LinkedIn.
2006-2013: Golf course conditions deteriorate
Real-estate developer Wilson Gee purchased Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course, located in the middle of a neighborhood near Knox Road and 44th Street, through an ownership group called Bixby.
May 2013: Golf course closes
Bixby closed the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course and stripped the property of anything valuable, like sod and irrigation equipment. Gee said at the time that golf was no longer economically viable on the property.
October 2013: Pulte Homes wants to buy course
Atlanta-based PulteGroup, which owns the Pulte Homes brand, confirmed it was in escrow to buy the golf course. Pulte later revealed plans to build single-family homes on the land, about three per acre.
October 2014: Neighbors file lawsuit
Two neighbors, each with homes adjacent to the barren golf course, filed a lawsuit against Bixby, claiming that the governing documents for the golf course require the land be maintained for golf use.
November 2014: Pulte backs out
The neighbors scored their first win when Pulte pulled out of talks to purchase Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course.
June 2015: New owner, same problems
The True Life Companies purchased the golf course for $9 million. It paid $750,000 up front, with the rest due to Bixby over time.
June 2016: First legal victory
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah ruled that the governing documents require the property to be maintained as a golf course.