New owner purchases ‘Apple Valley’ of his eye
LEWISTON – Gard Craw has holes in his dreams.
Nine of them to be exact.
The new owner of Apple Valley Golf Course has big plans for the nine-hole, par 35 golf course on Pinewoods Road – including adding another nine holes across the street on 93 acres he just purchased.
“I know it’ll be a lot of money, but I want to do it,” said Craw. “The city doesn’t have 18 holes and everywhere else does. There’s the need, and I think the community would support it.”
A 1971 graduate of Edward Little, Craw spent 30 years working in the golf industry while based in the Southwest. He specialized in irrigation work, running the golf divisions of Toro Industries and Hunter Industries, which took him to golf courses around the world. When he decided to retire, he also decided to return home.
“Most of my family remained here,” said Craw. “I just decided to go home.”
But once back East, he was restless. Owning his own course was something he’d dreamed about for a long time. Plus it would give him something to do, and provide some financial security for his family. So he started checking out local courses: Prospect, Turner Highlands, Springbrook, before deciding Apple Valley was what he wanted.
Polling the members
There were lengthy negotiations with the Gilroys, the couple who owned Apple Valley for 19 years; the deal was closed Dec. 12. Craw declined to disclose the purchase price, but coupled with what he’s paying for the acreage across the street, he says he’s made a hefty financial commitment to make a go of his dream.
But he’s also a pragmatist. He’s sending a letter to the club’s membership asking what improvements they’d like to see at Apple Valley. And his plans for the nine-hole expansion include a 10- to 12-lot residential subdivision. If the community welcomes the expansion, Craw said he’ll need the revenue from the house lots to help pay for the additional nine holes.
And that can be considerable.
An irrigation system alone can cost upward of $300,000. And the cost of building the holes can vary widely, depending on the site preparation. Some holes could cost as little as $10,000; others upward of $100,000. In the Southwest, it was common for a new golf course to cost $1 million per hole.
“I’ll spend to specifications,” said Craw. He hopes if all goes well, he’ll break ground on the expansion within a couple of years.
In the meantime, he has plenty to do with the existing nine holes. Craw said there are at least a half dozen tees that need to be rebuilt. And he’d like to lengthen the first hole, adding another 40 yards to the existing 239. There’s also a blind spot on the ninth hole that Craw could eliminate, but first he wants to hear from the membership.
“My letter will go out shortly,” he said. “I’ll introduce myself and explain some of the plans I have.”
No fees increase
He’s also upgrading the food and beverage service to include a full menu and replacing the lounge’s picnic tables with bistro tables and chairs.
One thing he doesn’t plan: an increase in membership fees or greens fees. There are about 100 members of the club who pay $880 a year for a family membership or $495 for an individual. Greens fees are $14 a round.
“Other than the improvements to the course, and the food and beverage service, it’ll remain status quo,” said Craw.
“I’m hoping by midseason all the improvements will be done and well-received,” said Craw.
Then during the off-season, Craw can relax in a warmer climate. And maybe spend a little time on his own golf game.
“On a good day, I can play with a 10 handicap,” said Craw with a smile. “But I would tell anyone I’m a beater.”
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