According to a Tuesday statement, another golf course will be closing its doors permanently this fall.
In North Canton (about 25 minutes south of Akron) and only a few miles away from the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be closed for good by October.
A story in our network partner The Canton Repository reported that staffing issues were the reason for the closure. The course was not profitable since 2001 and had been reduced from two to one before this final step.
McKinley Development Co. is a partnership between DeHoff Development Co.
Bill Lemmon stated in a statement that “the economics of operating a golf club has changed dramatically during the last few years.” “We tried to make it work but it wasn’t sustainable.”
McKinley Development purchased the Sanctuary in 2001 from the Paul Weber Family. After a few more years, the south golf course was purchased and developed as a residential mixed-use development with single-family homes. villa homes, and multifamily units were also included.
Lemmon suggested the name change from The Sanctuary to The Sanctuary in 2003 and 2004, when the North Course was reconfigured. The name refers to the back-to nature feel of the wetlands on nine.
The company stated that the plan was to maintain the golf course until the 2023 season and then permanently close it in October.
Daniel Gambone, Hoover, tees-off on the second green during their match with GlenOak on Wednesday 15th September 2021 at the Sanctuary Golf Club.
Bob DeHoff stated in a statement that “we know the Sanctuary is a golf course loved by many people in our community.” It was a tough decision that we didn’t take lightly.
According to the company there are no immediate plans of development. McKinley is still optimistic about the future plans that will be made for the property and its impact on the Plain Township community and North Canton.
Photo: Julie Vennitti Botos/Canton Repository/USA Today Network
The closure of many courses in the area in recent years is a cause for concern. According a second story in the Repository here is a list of courses that are either closed or in danger.
The Sanctuary, as the crow flies:
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- Amazon’s hub is located five miles north of Skyland Pines. Skyland Pines closed in 2021.
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- Seven miles east from Rolling Green. The 18-hole course near Canal Fulton was closed in 2016 due to plans for a new residential development.
- A nine-hole golf course closed in 2017 in Hartville, seven miles southwest of Lake View.
