The Week That Was, september 7, 2014

     Seven nations have put themselves into the running to host the Ryder Cup matches of 2022. The self-nominators -- Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey -- can reconsider until February 16, 2015, the date when the official bids are due. Ryder Cup Europe expects to name a winner in the fall of next year.

     California’s unrelenting drought is threatening the future of a John Harbottle-designed golf complex in the Silicon Valley. Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, a public venue in San Jose, has just one source for water, and its provider, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, is running perilously dry. To survive, Cinnabar Hills appears to have only one option, and it’s an expensive one: It needs to build a 5.5-mile pipeline to a supply of recycled water.

     Troon Golf has secured its fourth management contract in Dubai, where splendor in the grass is a coveted expression of the luxe life. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based firm been selected to usher in what it calls “an exciting new era for golf” at Arabian Ranches Golf Club, the 10-year-old centerpiece of a richly appointed community developed by affiliates of Emaar Properties. The club features an 18-hole course that wears the “signature” of Ian Baker-Finch, although much of the handwriting was done by Nicklaus Design. The pact is Troon’s second with Emaar, which turned over Montgomerie Dubai when it opened in 2001. Although the opportunities are relatively few and far between, Troon has been delivering the goods to Middle Eastern luxury golf properties for years. Its portfolio includes two other courses in Dubai (including the Els Club), two in Abu Dhabi (including Saadiyat Beach Golf Club), and one in Bahrain.

     One of Australia’s premier golf properties has been sold out of receivership. HGC Properties, which is believed to be controlled by a Chinese group, reportedly paid $17.8 million ($16.7 million in U.S. currency) for Heritage Golf & Country Club, a 36-hole venue in suburban Melbourne. The club had been owned by a pair of quarreling Chinese investors who’d taken their ownership disputes to court, apparently unaware of what the consequences might be. Golf Digest ranks Heritage’s St. John course, Jack Nicklaus “signature” track, at #62 in Australia, and its Tony Cashmore-designed Henley course at #94. Golf Industry Central reports that the club, unlike many in metropolitan Melbourne, has “a strong established membership base.” It attracted roughly 47,500 rounds last year, not to mention the Victorian PGA Championship.

     Arnold Palmer Golf Management has signed a five-year contract to operate Florida State University’s financially troubled golf course. Don Veller Seminole Golf Course, a 52-year-old venue, has reportedly lost $3.5 million over the past 10 years, which is right about how long it’s been since the track was redesigned by Robert C. Walker. APGM, a company owned by Century Golf Partners, believes the key to improving the track’s bottom line is to keep greens fees affordable. “Our philosophy is about growing the tee sheet and memberships,” a spokesman for Century Golf told the Tallahassee Democrat. “The more you maximize round count, the more people you get through the door, the more retail you do, the more food and beverage you sell.” In exchange for the concession, APGM has agreed to pay the university 2 percent of the course’s gross revenues.

     An abandoned, state-owned golf course in Manchester, Tennessee may soon be revived by private-sector developers. According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tink Driver and Pete Jackson are negotiating to buy the 140 acres formerly occupied by Old Stone Fort Golf Course, a venue that’s been closed since 2011. If they reach an agreement, the partners plan to reopen Old Stone Fort as a nine-hole track that appeals especially to women, children, seniors, and beginners. To fund the reconstruction, they figure to do some ancillary development, including meeting space and accommodations for overnight visitors.