Gated Golf Communities - are they a thing of the past! Are our golf courses in these beautiful gated communities up to PAR! Who are the next buyers? Where are they coming from? Will they want to have their second home in a gated golf community and incur the fees?
I recently visited with "golf" friends who live and play in prestigious gated golf communities in New Jersey and in Massachusetts. Our friends also own homes in gated golf communities in Florida.
We were discussing recent home sales and comparing home sales in the north vs the south over cocktails one evening. Our conversation, as most often times does, diverted to the economy, who the next buyers will be, the stock market, and the transitional state of golf courses across the country.
Recently I read that there were over 1,000 golf courses closing due to lack of players, costs, service and golf course upkeep. The recession is hurting membership which has a direct impact on the social aspect. Is the business of golf facing an economic outlook and is the "putt sinking"? USA Today recently reported that Golf clubs are suffering in recession as membership dwindles. Living in a gated golf community, we see some every day struggles. How is that impacting the homes for sale in those communities?
Through the years we have always counted on the baby boomers and the "soon to retire" buyers looking for their "dream retirement" home in a paradise like gated golf community. Where are those folks? Are they still there? Are they holding back from making that swing and hitting the ball?
In Martin County, we have some of the finest gated golf communities. Willoughby Golf Club and Pipers Landing Yacht & Country Club are two of them. Piper's Landing is a Florida Gated Golf Community in Palm City, part of Stuart Florida and Martin County and offers fine dining in their clubhouse capable of hosting any type of function. Pipers Landing community consists of 302 homes with 600+ acres. In 2007, they redesigned their Gene Bates golf course.
The Willoughby Golf Club Community consists of 375 single family homes on 403 acres. Willoughby Golf Club offers an Arthur Hills championship golf course and has hosted several regional U.S. Open qualifiers. Willoughby Golf Club has a superb dining venue with great meals prepared by chef "Jimmy".
Both clubs are beautifully decorated. Both clubs have pristinely manicured golf courses. See for yourself. For more information regarding these two gated golf communities located in Martin County, visit their websites: www.willoughbygolfclub.com and www.piperslanding.com
