Gateway Investment Group LP has purchased Battlefield Golf and Country Club for an undisclosed sum, officials said.
The principals in the transaction are Fort Oglethorpe businessmen Jim Stephens and Randy Deck. Mr. Stephens is the former owner of P&S School Supplies in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville. Mr. Deck is CEO of Deck’s Wholesale and Pine Grove Pottery, with offices in Ringgold and Dalton.
The golf course, located at the perimeter of Chickamauga National Park just outside of the Fort Oglethorpe city limits, had been owned by Farrell Hayes and Kim Geselbracht. Mr. Hayes had been the principal owner since 1996. Mr. Geselbracht has been involved in ownership since 1993.
The deal was negotiated by Gateway Markets, a Chattanooga company, and financed by Gateway Bank in Ringgold. Gateway Markets will be retained to manage construction of a renovation project and as a consultant on all business matters.
“We’d like to publicly thank Bob Peck of Gateway Bank for the role he played in making this happen,” said DeWayne Williams, CEO of Gateway Markets. “In a day when a lot of banks are shying away from golf course deals, Mr. Peck expressed confidence in our team from the outset.”
The golf course was built in 1970. Harry Shoemaker, a former national left-handed champion who grew up on Signal Mountain, was the course architect and was involved in ownership with the late Gene Abercrombie.
The sons of the new owners will be involved in the management of the course. Adam Stephens, currently the head pro, will become director of golf. Chase Deck will become the head golf professional and CFO.
The two managers are long-time friends and played together on the first Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe golf team to qualify for the Georgia state high school tournament. Mr. Stephens is a graduate of Lakeland (Fla.) Community College with a degree in golf course management. Mr. Deck played college golf at Jacksonville (Ala.) State University and graduated with a degree in finance.
“We are committed to keeping Battlefield a private course,” Jim Stephens said. “When we take over, we will no longer have public play. You must be a guest of a member to play.”
Battlefield recently had a controversial promotion involving public play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. According to Mr. Stephens, the course lost members when the public play began.
“I’m excited about this for the club, us as owners and our kids,” Randy Deck said. “We’re in this for the long haul because of our family members, but I also think it’s a good business opportunity.”
The new management team will be in place immediately. Kenny Little, the longtime greens superintendent, will remain in his position. He has been involved with golf course maintenance for over 30 years.
The new ownership will also retain Wanda Carlock, who has run the grill facility for over 30 years.
Adam Stephens said the grill area and the pro shop would become the focus of expansion and remodeling.
“We’ll have a fully stocked pro shop and we are going to get rid of the ‘70s look in the grill area and expand the menu,” Mr. Stephens said. “We also will be offering catering for tournaments at our course in 2007.”
Mr. Stephens said clubhouse remodeling will begin almost immediately.
“That’s something we can get done in the winter,” he said. “We need to give the clubhouse a facelift, then start golf course renovations in the spring.”