Owners look to sell, realign Westport Golf

WESTPORT | Owners of the Westport Golf Club are looking to sell or otherwise curtail their role in managing the historic property. In a recent letter to club members, owner Robert M. Hall, of Duluth, Minnesota, said they do not plan to operate the facility next year. He sent the letter out after meeting with local golfers and area residents. The meeting over Labor Day Weekend gathered about 50 residents. Golf course owners sought input as to next steps for the historic 327.39-acre property, according to several people who attended. "Our goal of repairing the assets was completed in 2020," Hall wrote in a letter signed with his email information and telephone number. "It was never a goal of ours to run Westport Golf long term. We are trying to determine if there are any potential individuals, groups of individuals, or entities ... interested in taking a leadership role in preserving the golf course as an asset for the community. "Nothing is set in stone and we would like to hear from each one of you concerning your ideas and if you are interested in an equity proposition." The letter does not define "equity proposition" or indicate whether Hall is looking to retain development rights. But it does ask members to advise ownership. "We are gathering information from the community of golfers that have an interest in keeping the course open next year," Hall said. "Since our plans are (to not open) if we do not find a buyer and if we do not have any viable interest or offers, we will be moving to list the course for sale in October as a business and a potential home estate." Reached by phone on Sept. 14, the Sun asked Mr. Hall if he could elaborate on their plan for the coming year and if they want to sell the golf course. "There's really nothing I can say right now," he said. "I can't really discuss it." Hall is owner of the Superior Fuel Co. in Superior, Wisconsin and northern Minnesota, and CEO of Como Fuel Co., a propane and oil supplier in Florida, according to his social media and corporate filings. He and sister Leslie Hall-Butzer took over ownership of Westport Golf, which they run as part of Consolidated Mortgages LLC, after a years-long lawsuit the siblings brought against their brother, John Hall, a PGA pro, who died in a car accident in Randolph, Minnesota on July 4, 2019. The golf course property was conveyed by court order in 2016 to Consolidated Mortgages LLC "as is - where is" for $60,000, according to court documents. Significant back taxes were owed and paid after the sale. The siblings had sued their brother John for full ownership of the property. A fourth sibling, Rickie Hall, PGA golf pro, currently manages the golf course. The business property has been positioned for development by the Halls through steps taken in recent years. In July 2019, the Town of Westport sought and the Adirondack Park Agency approved Hamlet expansion, adding 32 acres of land to the less stringent Adirondack Park land-use category. Robert Hall advocated for the classification change to allow addition of 24 townhomes and a lodging facility beside the Westport Golf club house. Expansion of the town's sewer and water lines to the new section of Hamlet are contingent upon development. And in public meetings, town officials said costs associated with new water lines would be the purview of the developer. At the Sept. 4 meeting with golf club members, Hall expressed interest in a possible sale or "equity propositions." "Our purpose of the meeting was two-fold. We wanted to start a conversation with our golfing members and the community members who had an interest in the preserving a future for Westport's golf course," the follow-up letter said. "We also wanted to give the same people the opportunity to express their ideas or concerns to us. We are at the very start of a process to gather ideas from anyone willing to offer them. "This was not a meeting to share data or financial information concerning the business. It was to share ideas on how the club could be transferred to different ownership so that the community could continue to use it for their recreational needs." Hall said the meeting was not the proper venue for disclosing financial information about the property or golf course operations. Last year, Westport Golf Course owners did list the links in the auction section of LoopNet, an online purveyor for investment property. The property was listed as a "Lake Champlain Development Opportunity" on April 20, 2020 with the most recent update indicated on that website as Aug. 16, 2021. It is no longer being advertised as active. In addition to the 18-hole, historic course, Westport Golf Course includes Winton's 1898 Tavern, a restaurant and bar facility in the club house. Current assessment of the property, which is located entirely in the Town of Westport, is $976,300 for the buildings and links on 327.39 acres, according to Essex County Real Property's online database. The property includes a second parcel with a ranch-style home on 11.60 acres, assessed at $192,700. The home is at 1052 Stevenson Road in Westport. The golf course is open with a cell phone number to call for tee times. The rate given in a telephone message indicates a round of 18 holes with cart is $60. 18 holes walking costs $40. Rates for nine holes are $45 with a cart or $30 without. The number for the course is: 518-956-0858 The golf course also has added livestock farming interest as part of an agri-golf venture on adjoining lands.

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Owners look to sell, realign Westport Golf

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