Dec. 1—WILLMAR
After 93 years, the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Willmar, Minnesota, is being sold to a new partnership company— Birdie Boys LLC. Established in November in Albertville, the partnership is headed by Chad Pendill and Chris Sauer.
Eagle Creek Golf Club was founded in 1931 as a nine-hole course, with another nine holes added in 1962. The original nine holes were updated in 1994. The sale, which was put together by the Eagle Creek Board and shareholders, will include the entire golf course, including the land, buildings, equipment, inventory, and The Oaks restaurant.
According to Ross Magnuson, the current board president, the decision to sell was made for the best interest of the course due to evolving challenges in recent years. The sale is not due to a lack of use, as over 20,000 rounds of golf have been played on the course this year alone.
One of the new partners, Chris Sauer, has owned golf courses since 2006 and is a PGA Class A member. Chad Pendill, the other partner, is a 30-year propane industry businessman and avid golfer.
The sale is expected to be closed in early January of 2024, with the proceeds being used to pay off the club’s current debt. The course is expected to remain largely the same as a semi-private course, continuing to provide a place to play for its members and remain a part of the Willmar community.
“The challenge right now is selling golf courses overall. Just finding buyers for golf courses is a challenge. The number one thing for our members is that we have a golf course that is the quality that we have with professional people running that we can have for the next generation of play,” Magnuson said.
“It is very important to have in the community. It attracts employees for businesses to hire. It is an outdoor activity people can do. There is a lot of enjoyment when people go out to play golf and then go up to the Oaks after for something to eat. There are a lot of benefits it provides to the community,” Magnuson added.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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