Story and photos by Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – Interested parties have until noon Wednesday, Dec. 7 to submit offers to purchase Suneagles Golf Course and associated facilities, part of Fort Monmouth within the borders of Eatontown. This is the second time the course has been offered for sale by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA).
An optional pre-proposal meeting and tour has been scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 for qualified individuals interested in the parcel, which includes the 37,125 square-foot Gibbs Hall clubhouse/catering facility with capacity for 650 persons. The 171-acre site also includes Joe’s Sports Bar, a maintenance facility, 42 residential units in 21 buildings, an in-ground swimming pool, tennis courts, and a pro shop.
Gibbs Hall, opened in 1926 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has historic preservation covenants subject to reuse guidelines. There is also an archeological covenant calling for a “no disturb” area surrounding the stream that transits the golf course. The 18-hole course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast.
A hotel and conference center is contemplated for the site, but due to little interest in that use when the sole unsuccessful bid was received earlier this year, FMERA would accept alternative proposals, including residential housing in the ten acres of the fort’s former Megill Housing section.
FORT MONMOUTH – Interested parties have until noon Wednesday, Dec. 7 to submit offers to purchase Suneagles Golf Course and associated facilities, part of Fort Monmouth within the borders of Eatontown. This is the second time the course has been offered for sale by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA).
An optional pre-proposal meeting and tour has been scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 for qualified individuals interested in the parcel, which includes the 37,125 square-foot Gibbs Hall clubhouse/catering facility with capacity for 650 persons. The 171-acre site also includes Joe’s Sports Bar, a maintenance facility, 42 residential units in 21 buildings, an in-ground swimming pool, tennis courts, and a pro shop.
Gibbs Hall, opened in 1926 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has historic preservation covenants subject to reuse guidelines. There is also an archeological covenant calling for a “no disturb” area surrounding the stream that transits the golf course. The 18-hole course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast.
A hotel and conference center is contemplated for the site, but due to little interest in that use when the sole unsuccessful bid was received earlier this year, FMERA would accept alternative proposals, including residential housing in the ten acres of the fort’s former Megill Housing section.
“In this marketplace, the best opportunity is to put housing in the ten acres, which is picking up steam,” said FMERA Executive Director Bruce Steadman. “We’re hoping to get some good bids.” Steadman previously stated, “The hotel community is reluctant because traffic isn’t coming here now to stay overnight. The property itself doesn’t lend itself to a resort center.”
A proposal by Kushner Companies, owner of Monmouth Mall, also includes a hotel on that site, a few miles from Fort Monmouth. Opposition to the mall plan has focused on density and increased traffic in the already congested area bordered by Routes 35, 36, and 537.
A proposal by Kushner Companies, owner of Monmouth Mall, also includes a hotel on that site, a few miles from Fort Monmouth. Opposition to the mall plan has focused on density and increased traffic in the already congested area bordered by Routes 35, 36, and 537.
The golf property will have a deed restriction requiring it be maintained as a golf course for a minimum of 20 years, and will be sold “as is” according to the Request for Offers to Purchase (RFOTP). Furniture, fixtures, and equipment on site will be included in the purchase, of fi- cials said.
Bidders may include a proposal for an interim lease of the golf course so the selected potential purchaser can take over management of the facility prior to closing. The authority intends to maintain play at the course throughout the sales process without interruption. The purchaser will be required to operate the golf course through the end of the season in which the transfer takes place and honor the existing memberships which will expire on Sept. 30 of that year.
Bidders may include a proposal for an interim lease of the golf course so the selected potential purchaser can take over management of the facility prior to closing. The authority intends to maintain play at the course throughout the sales process without interruption. The purchaser will be required to operate the golf course through the end of the season in which the transfer takes place and honor the existing memberships which will expire on Sept. 30 of that year.
Proposed residential units may include age-targeted or age-restricted uses and up to 75 residential units, with 20 percent set aside for low- and moderate-income housing. Eatontown officials have expressed “a strong preference” that residential units on the property be marketed and sold as fee simple or condominium for-sale units rather than rental housing.
LINX Golf Management, FMERA’s current course operator, reported in late September that despite this summer’s hot, dry conditions, the course “held up well.” Over 500 trees were trimmed and 20 dead ones removed.
LINX Golf Management, FMERA’s current course operator, reported in late September that despite this summer’s hot, dry conditions, the course “held up well.” Over 500 trees were trimmed and 20 dead ones removed.
According to Rick Harrison, FMERA Director of Facilities Planning, “water discharge was substantially reduced due to the extreme drought conditions.” Normal watering continued on greens and tees, but watering of fairways was reduced by 50 percent.
“We have officially begun our membership drive and are pleased to announce there will be no increase in membership rates for the next golf season,” Harrison said. “Members will receive five free guest passes.” Rounds of golf were down in August, with 4,194 rounds played as opposed to 4,411 during the same time last year.
The inability of FMERA to find a qualified purchaser to date could be reflective of a recent trend reported in the media this summer that interest in golf is waning among younger audiences for its costs, the time involved to play, and the emergence and rise of other forms of entertainment available via new technology.
“We have officially begun our membership drive and are pleased to announce there will be no increase in membership rates for the next golf season,” Harrison said. “Members will receive five free guest passes.” Rounds of golf were down in August, with 4,194 rounds played as opposed to 4,411 during the same time last year.
The inability of FMERA to find a qualified purchaser to date could be reflective of a recent trend reported in the media this summer that interest in golf is waning among younger audiences for its costs, the time involved to play, and the emergence and rise of other forms of entertainment available via new technology.
Nike announced it would stop selling golf equipment in August after years of declining sales and slowing participation. According to Bloomberg Markets, sales at the Nike Golf division fell 8.2 percent in the fiscal year that ended in May, making it the company’s worst performing major category.
The same month, the New York Post reported millennials are “ditching golf because it’s too long and boring” and that in 2013, U.S. golf reportedly lost over 400,000 players, half of whom were millennials. Current Suneagles members include many former fort personnel and military veterans.
The same month, the New York Post reported millennials are “ditching golf because it’s too long and boring” and that in 2013, U.S. golf reportedly lost over 400,000 players, half of whom were millennials. Current Suneagles members include many former fort personnel and military veterans.
