Investor Group Completes Purchase of Glen Oaks CC
November 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Jamie Buelt, Spokesperson
515-249-1857
PLAN TO BUILD MEMBERSHIP, IMPROVE FACILITIES
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (October 28, 2010) — A group of local investors announced today that it has completed the purchase of Glen Oaks Country Club from West Bank for an undisclosed price.
The ownership group is composed of three families—Mark and Jill Oman, Ron Pearson and Robert and Deb Pulver. The new owners, all of whom live in the Glen Oaks community, came together to acquire the championship golf course and club earlier this summer. Their common vision is to restore Glen Oaks to its original design, and make the club a profitable enterprise as well as an appealing venue for the entire community. The new owners hosted a reception for members on Thursday, October 28.
“Glen Oaks is a tremendous asset with a lot of potential,” Pearson said. “We plan to maximize that potential by making appropriate investments that further improve the club and make it more appealing to members, golfers, guests, employees and the community.”
The ownership group announced that Golf Resources Group, a management firm owned by D.A. Weibring, will continue to run day-to-day operations at Glen Oaks. Bill Kirkendall of GRC will continue as general manager of the club, overseeing all aspects and operations of the club including membership.
“By choosing the Weibring group to manage Glen Oaks, we achieve continuity and have access to the best management professionals in the business,” Mark Oman added. “Bill Kirkendall and his team have gone above and beyond over the past several months to provide a positive experience for our members and guests.”
CLUBHOUSE MAKEOVER
One of the first steps in optimizing the potential of Glen Oaks is a makeover for the clubhouse. The new owners have contracted Tom Hoch Plan Design Build, a well-known club designer in Oklahoma City, to provide a plan.
“Getting members and their guests to Glen Oaks several times a week is what will ultimately make the club successful,” Bob Pulver said. “A country club succeeds when members are using the facilities, shopping in the pro shop, lunching at the restaurant and generally enjoying themselves.”
Since Glen Oaks was completed in 1994, the club has not undergone any significant updates or changes. Pulver noted that in the past 16 years, however, the industry has seen significant changes in membership demographics.
“Women drive a lot of the decisions regarding country club membership, and we will be the club that makes women feel welcome and comfortable,” Pulver said.
The planning process with Tom Hoch will also address how to better accommodate signature events as well as weddings and parties. While the club’s kitchen facility has the capacity to cater large events, the current layout best accommodates events for approximately 250 people.
“A few changes will allow us to bid on more events and be a true venue of choice,” Kirkendall noted. “After all, the view from the club house is one of the best in the metro.”
IMPROVING PLAYABILITY OF THE COURSE
Glen Oaks golf course remains highly rated and will continue to host The Principal Charity Classic, a signature PGA event. Over the next several months, the team will work on improving the playability of the course for all levels of golfers.
“We have one chance to make a first impression next spring,” Pulver said. “The work that is starting now and continuing over the winter is aimed at restoring the course to the original Tom Fazio design.”
Glen Oaks Country Club was conceived in 1991 as part of a golf and residential community. The 18-hole championship course was designed by Tom Fazio and officially opened in July 1994. Today, the club has 479 members.