Some members worry about the future of Fox Glen Golf Club with the possibility of new ownership before the start of the 2022 golf season.
The Amherstburg course went up for sale by Manor Realty a month ago with a listing price of $5,750,000
“We do have an accepted offer in place with conditions until the latter part of February,” said broker Rob Agnew in an email response Monday.
The listing specifically mentioned the buildings, carts, equipment and business.
Current owner Larry Sauve said he couldn’t comment on what new ownership might do with the land but rumours have swirled in the past that it was worth more as a housing development than a golf course.
“We’ve heard the rumours about housing,” said one member who wished to remain anonymous.
Normally club members pay annual dues in the spring but this member noted “we haven’t heard anything about membership dues yet.”
This marks the third time in the previous five years that the beleaguered course has been offered for sale. It also marks the second time Sauve has been the seller.
In 2016, equity membership agreed to an offer from DBS Hearn Group but the deal fell through when the Hearn group backed out.
Later that same year, Sauve reached an agreement to come back on board as the club’s president. Almost 20 years before that, Sauve sold the golf course to a group of equity members. Under terms of that agreement, Sauve was to receive an annual payment of $88,000 and a lump sum of $1 million.
Due to financial pressures, the membership group couldn’t meet its payment obligations to Sauve in 2015, prompting his return the following year.
“I’m retiring,” Sauve said Monday when asked why the course was for sale again. “I’ve been 47 years now in the golf industry.”
