Exclusive golf course will be home to Wildcat golf teams.
The University of Kentucky Athletics Association has entered into an agreement with University Clubs of America to open The University Club of Kentucky, an exclusive golf club that will be used by UK Athletics, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and fans, UK athletics director C.M. Newton announced today.
Under the long-term agreement, University Clubs of America (UCA) will purchase The Player’s Club from former UK golfer and coach, Danny McQueen. The 36-hole course is located 7.7 miles from downtown Lexington on Leestown Road. UCA has hired Arthur Hills, who designed Champion Trace, a local course that played host to the 1993 NCAA Championships, to renovate the 8-year-old club. Total capital expenditures by UCA, which include the planned renovations, will be in excess of $10 million, according to UCA managing director Carl Espy III.
Under terms of the contract, there will be no financial obligation by UK, but the school will receive income from the project. While the site serves as home to the UK men’s and women’s golf teams, the University will receive five percent from membership sales and three percent from annual revenue.
“This has been a long-time dream for us in UK Athletics,” Newton said. “It’s certainly a win-win situation for the UK community, UK Athletics and the University Clubs of America. It’s good for the University in that it offers a place to golf for faculty, staff, students, friends and alumni. It is a big win for UK Athletics because it provides a place for our men’s and women’s golf teams to practice and compete. And it is a ‘win’ from UCA’s perspective as a business venture.”
Newton said the deal should satisfy any concerns that citizens might have had regarding local land use.
“It’s a win-win for everybody and we’re very excited about it,” Newton added.
The transaction to purchase Player’s Club closes Dec. 1, 1999. Renovations will begin thereafter. However, the design phase of the project will begin immediately and applications for membership will be taken beginning Aug. 1, 1999. UCA will open an office next month in Memorial Coliseum.
To qualify for membership, individuals will be required to give $250 annually to one of UK’s donor programs. There will be local, regional and national memberships as well as faculty, staff and student memberships. In addition, there will be a limited number of Founder Memberships. Local membership initiation fees will begin at $5,000, with monthly dues starting at $185.
The agreement with UCA is for a period of 20 years, with an additional 15-year renewal option, Newton said. The contract is subject to UCA’s withdrawal if $1.5 million in initiation fees is not generated within 180 days.
“The University of Kentucky has tremendous loyalty from its alumni and boosters, as well as its faculty, staff and students,” said Lin Johnson, UCA President. “I am certain UCA will be able to market the project successfully and develop a championship facility worthy of UK.”
Renovations to the facility will include new tee boxes, more bunkers, an expanded clubhouse, and the addition of a training facility for UK’s golf teams, including a covered practice facility, locker rooms and a short-game area.
“First, this shows a real commitment by the University for golf,” men’s coach Steve Smitha said. “And it gives us a chance to be more competitive both in our district and in the Southeastern Conference. We will now have a place to practice throughout the week and it will give our golfers a place where they can practice on their own.”
UCA is a privately held company dedicated exclusively to developing relationships with colleges and universities to build and operate university clubs similar to the one planned for UK. The company acquires land and designs, develops and constructs golf courses and club facilities tailored specifically to each community and university’s needs.
UCA, based in Columbia, S.C., opened its first club in 1995, The University Club of South Carolina. It also plans to open the Auburn University Club this fall and it has license agreements with the University of Tennessee, the University of Alabama and the University of Louisville. As an extra incentive, there will be reciprocal playing privileges between the clubs for members.
Tom Heilbron, the founder and developer of Champion Trace, will serve as project developer.
For more information regarding The University Club of Kentucky, University Clubs of America and its other clubs, contact UCA at 1-888-301-1414.
