If the Jones Creek Golf Club’s former clubhouse is not sold as part of the development agreement, plans to revive it could be put at risk.
In September 2018, Evans’ Jones Creek subdivision closed its course. The course’s clubhouse, along with the adjacent parking lot, was purchased in 2019 by Mark Herbert’s MBH Holdings. While the course fell into disuse, it was later foreclosed. In October 2020, the course was not sold at public auction.
Herbert now asks Columbia County to modify the zoning of his property to allow it to be used as an “event, hospitality, meeting space; restaurant and catering space and kitchen” instead.
Bond Golf Global, a golf event services company, has informed the Jones Creek HOA of its interest in helping to rebuild the 48-year old course. It will partner with Black Cat Athlete’s veteran golf pro Darren May. Andrew Brooks, founder of Bond Golf, wrote a letter to the HOA stating that the goal is to have Jones Creek “fully functional by the end 2024”.
Brooks stated that the course will require a clubhouse.
He noted that the clubhouse is “the nucleus for the golf course, providing an ideal place to meet with golfers and the community. It also has parking and storage areas for the course.” It would be important that the clubhouse be included in the development plans. The clubhouse could be separated and rezoned away, making it difficult for Jones Creek to sell the course and the existing plans for the academy. This would reduce the possibility of Jones Creek’s future.
Harry Revell, the attorney representing Julian Saul, agreed. Over the years, many legitimate buyers and “a lot more bottom-feeders” expressed an interest in purchasing the property but negotiations were stalled. Bond Global emerged as a bright spot and Saul has supported the company’s efforts to renovate Jones Creek Golf Course.
Revell stated Sunday that although we were optimistic about a deal, the clubhouse scuttled it. “Everybody who expressed an interest in purchasing the property must have the Clubhouse,” Revell stated. It will not be possible without the clubhouse.
Auction will not include Jones Creek Golf Club’s Augusta clubhouse. (Augusta Chronicle file photo)
What are the complications?
Many Jones Creek Homeowners Association members filled the Evans Government Complex chambers Sunday afternoon to hear more about Herbert’s request for rezoning and the possible consequences for the future of the golf course.
Scott Johnson, County Manager, was invited by the HOA to its meeting. He stated that Herbert is almost incumbent on Herbert to request rezoning so that he can use the property as he pleases.
Other ownership factors can also complicate the property. The HOA owns Jones Creeks’ tennis courts and swimming pool. While Saul is the owner of the golf course, Herbert is the clubhouse’s owner. Access to these amenities is only possible through vaguely defined easements on the clubhouse property.
“To my best knowledge, easement is not defined.” Johnson stated that this is a problem and that he was telling Johnson because he feels like it’s a problem. If you want to really get down to it, MBH Holding would have said that you cannot trespass upon my property in order to access the tennis courts or the pool. He put up gates. Although you have an easement, it is not a clearly defined easement. We really need a defined easement.
Tripp Nanney of Jones Creek HOA stated that 79% of respondents did not approve of the proposed rezoning of the clubhouse, according to a survey he sent to residents. He stated that he would present the results to the Columbia County Planning Commission who will vote on Herbert’s request for rezoning Feb. 2. The full Board of Commissioners will also vote, and are expected to give final approval or denial of the request Feb. 21.
Nanney stated, “I would like to believe our collective voice could make a huge difference on that.” “We’ll see.”
Revels stated that he was convinced by his professional dealings in the county that a Jones Creek golf course would be a priority. However, he added that if another person purchases this property and is successful in getting it zoned, and puts in something that’s economically viable, there will never be a golf club here.
