The owner of the Killearn Country Club, Barton Tuck, informed club members that he has taken two steps to ensure that the club will remain an improved golfing facility for years to come.
In a letter to members, Mr. Tuck said that he filed an amendment to the restrictive covenant of the golf course which extended protection of the original 18 hole golf course by 40 years.
The filed covenant can be seen here.
View other reports on Killean Country Club issue here.
In the letter, Mr. Tuck wrote:
You may recall back in October, I stated that we would create a new covenant in the event we closed the North course. On January 11, 2016 the North course officially closed and true to my word we filed the new covenant last week.
I hope you will be pleased to know that in the new covenant we pushed back the closure date of the course from 2021 to 2061 – Killearn’s golfing future is secured.
In addition, Mr. Tuck writes in his letter to members that he included in language in the amendment to spend any “net proceeds” from the development of any land on improvements to the club.
Mr. Tuck wrote:
The covenant went farther though and in it requires us to reinvest all sales proceeds from any sale of the North property back into the club.
The full letter is included at the end of this report.
Beyond the closure of the “narrows”, there has been much controversy over the future of the club. Many have questioned Mr. Tuck’s plans and were concerned that promised improvements would not be realized.
In addition, those who live on the original 18 holes were concerned that in 2021 the course would be closed and sold for development.
The amendment filed by Mr. Tuck is consistent with his statements about the future of club.
However, a number of questions remain.
First, the closure of the north nine holes is still in court and a trial is pending?
Second, the specifics of a proposed development are unknown?
And third, what are the legal ramifications of the amendment to the restrictive covenants?
TR is researching the answers to these questions.
Dear Members,
I am happy to share some good news with you.
Over the past year there has been much talk and speculation about the future of Killearn Country Club. Some of it has been accurate. Much of it not. I have steadfastly maintained I am committed to improving Killearn Country Club and that Killearn should remain a golfing community.
You may recall back in October, I stated that we would create a new covenant in the event we closed the North course. On January 11, 2016 the North course officially closed and true to my word we filed the new covenant last week.
I hope you will be pleased to know that in the new covenant we pushed back the closure date of the course from 2021 to 2061 – Killearn’s golfing future is secured. The covenant went farther though and in it requires us to reinvest all sales proceeds from any sale of the North property back into the club.
I know many of you are eager to see improvements and changes at the course and clubhouse. I am too. This action puts us on the path to do exactly that and I’m excited about what the future holds.
We will have copies of the covenant available at the clubhouse to those who want them. Please feel free to reach out to me or my General Manager, Lori Wilkey with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
N. Barton Tuck
Killearn Club Owner Changes Covenant, Extends Golf Course Protection added by Staff on
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To mad as hell: Unfortunately, over the years management has let the course including infrastructure deteriorate and never bothered to address the problem. Seems to me that when Tuck became aware of the problems, he should have done something other than to sit on his butt. They should have taken some action to try to resolve the problems including North course usage and its retention.
Also figuring into the nearly “blind” member support for Tuck is the fact that most of the members can’t play the North as well as the other two “wide open” nines. So those folks have no problem with its closing.
Bottom line is Killearn had a good thing going in the only 27 hole course in the area, but the powers that be did virtually nothing to maintain its continuing viability and most of the members could care less so long as they have their “wide open” and loosely termed “championship” course to ply their wares.
So North Nine homeowners get f**ked and I thought my retirement home would be on a golf course.