By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – The fate of Slidell’s oldest country club and golf course appears to be bright after the Pinewood Country Club Board of Directors voted on Monday night to support a decision by the shareholders to sell the club to a private investor.
The city of Slidell seemed poised to cut a deal that would purchase most of the 96-acre property after the City Council in February approved $900,000 for the buy. That vote came months after an initial purchase proposal last fall by Councilman Bill Borchert was voted down.
The City Council had a change of heart in February after three Parish Council members came on board and crafted a city/parish deal to use the Pinewood land in a comprehensive drainage package for the eastern St. Tammany region.
But apparently the time from November to February was enough to bring other interested parties into the Pinewood picture.
On Monday night, longtime Slidell resident Chris Smith stunned many when he offered $850,000 of his own money to buy the golf course, while current clubhouse operator Louis Ochoa capped the deal by teaming with Smith to offer a purchase of the existing buildings and restaurant operation.
With the prospect to keep the Pinewood Country Club golf course and clubhouse operation alive and well, a majority of over 40 shareholders opted for the Smith-Ochoa deal.
“The turning point to go with Smith and Ochoa was because we wanted to keep the golf course operating,” one unnamed shareholder said.
Smith, a Slidell resident who grew up playing at Pinewood, then worked over 30 years as an engineer for Shell Oil, stepped to the plate in a surprising move and presented an offer to the other shareholders that would put up his own retirement money to buy the Pinewood golf course.
Smith, 55, said it was Ochoa who kept Pinewood alive the past three years since he was hired to head the restaurant and clubhouse operation. And he said it is Ochoa’s offer to buy the facility, remodel and expand it that makes the deal worth doing.
“Louis Ochoa was the savior for Pinewood since he came in here three years ago and turned the restaurant and banquet room around,” Smith said. “But with the improvements he will now make, I believe we can generate new interest in club membership and do well.
“Ultimately for me the decision was made because Pinewood is a part of this community and I want it to be here for a long time,” Smith added.
Since the City Council initially turned down the idea of buying Pinewood last November there was varying levels of interest, including home developers, a near-by nursing home facility, a trailer park owner and finally, Smith. All told there had been as many as seven offers for Pinewood in recent months.
“I never thought seriously about buying Pinewood until I saw the city would definitely be killing the golf course if they bought it,” Smith said. “This is a perfect course for kids, a great part of our community, and it increases home values in the area if the golf course continues. That is another reason I hope more homeowners around here will decide to begin supporting the club, whether they are golfers or not.”
Borchert, the city councilman who took his share of heat since last year for proposing the idea of Slidell buying the land, said he was happy the golf course would remain, but mostly frustrated with fellow council members who took so long to approve the purchase.
“If we would have gotten an OK to buy the land in November it would have been a done deal now and we could have done a lot to improve drainage for many people,” he said. “I’m still happy for Pinewood and the fact that the club will survive. I just hope the next time there is a heavy rain and we see people flooding again that they will remember we tried to do something that would have helped.”
Pinewood began to face financial problems shortly after Hurricane Katrina when membership fell and golf play was down. The board opted to borrow $840,000 from Resource Bank, but Smith said the debt obligation took a heavy toll on finances as golf course play struggled to recover.
Smith’s price of $850,000 will pay off the bank loan, then Ochoa’s purchase of the other buildings will pay back many former club members who loaned money to Pinewood, as well as former club pro James Leitz. Those obligations total nearly $300,000. Leitz was among others who had filed a lawsuit against the club in an attempt to recoup some of his losses after he left Pinewood over a year ago and accepted the head pro job at Tchefuncta Country Club.
Part of the new deal will also include a management operating company that includes six investors and current club pro Ted Elliott. It will include sales from the pro shop and provide additional income for course maintenance and improvements.
Smith said his immediate plan is to improve the greens on the course and then address other needs to bring the course condition back to the days of old.
Ochoa plans to remodel the restaurant and club facility, and also construct an events building next to the current 10th tee box.
Borchert said his main concern for Pinewood now is if Smith’s plan fails.
“The city has the money now to buy Pinewood, but if three to five years down the road things don’t work out then we will likely not have the money,” he said. “I wish them the best on their plan and hope it works out. At this point I think we’re all glad to know there won’t be a lot of new homes going up on the Pinewood property—at least that’s a good thing.”
Pinewood General Manager Terri Haithcox wanted to make it clear that everything is operating as usual at the club and “nothing is changing. We are open for business.”