Valleybrook Golf and Country Club, a popular Chattanooga golf course since the 1960s, will go on the auction block on Aug. 22.
The sale was ordered by a judge after the three children of former owner Carl Drake could not agree to terms on its future.
David Drake, who has been involved in the club's operation for the past two years, is in court with sisters Nancy Donelson and Carolyn Sneider.
David Drake had this statement in a recent issue of the Valleybrook newsletter:
To the Valleybrook Family, Staff and Friends,
This letter is meant to dispel any rumors that you may have heard about the golf course and its future.
I have tentatively set June, 7th as my last day to operate Valleybrook. Many of you know that my two siblings and I own the corporation that operates Valleybrook and that we are currently in court trying to break up the corporation and go our separate ways. They intend to auction off all the properties with no regard for the golf course or the tax consequences.
I cannot tell you what the future will hold or what the business will look like a year from now but my decisions have not come without a lot of prayer. I can tell you I am leaving the place in much better shape than when I arrived 27 months ago and where I can take some of the credit; most of the credit goes to my staff who have worked tirelessly to make the operation a success and I hope they look back on these two years with fond memories. I started working here when I was 15 years old and returned 2 years ago, so you could say this was on my bucket list, but everything ends and my final day will be Friday. I will cherish the friendships that I have made and hope you will remember me in a better light than I presented myself.
I would once again like to thank Derek, Hilary, Rachel, Wendell, Robert, Stan, and the rest of the staff that I relied on so heavily. It is time I return to some of the places and friends that I hold close and I can only hope for the best for a place that has been a large part of my life for almost 50 years.
God Bless You And Keep You
David Drake
The auction will be handled by Potts Auction at the site at 180 Valleybrook Road at 10 a.m.
The Valleybrook subdivision is near the golf course.
Auction info includes:
? Selling hightly-rated 18 hole Championship Golf Course - Built in the 1960's - Champion Bermuda Greens, Tees and Fairways 419 Bermuda - Well-maintained, 6704 yards - Par 71
? Large Brick Clubhouse, Cart and Maintenance Buildings, Large Pool - Excellent Established Business Opportunity
? Banquet Room, Large Kitchen, Restaurant-bar with fireplace
? Offices, Men & Women's Locker room, Pro-Shop, Patio
? Beautiful, tree-lined fairways, lakes, small branches, irrigated, driving range-putting and chipping greens - Surrounded by Valleybrook Subdivision
? Former home of the Provident Classic and Red Bud Invitational - One of the mosted historied courses in the area
? Excellent location minutes from I-75, Chattanooga, Hwy 153 and Chickamauga Lake, Northgate Mall
? Also, selling all Clubhouse equipment, including office, restaurant, kitchen - maintenance equipment, including John Deere tractor, mowers, sprayers, other various items, ginders, sharpeners, welders and many more items. (NOT SELLING Golf Carts) - To be offered in bulk and piece meal.