43 replies to this topic

[ProBowler]

Just got this Email today from Cannon Ridge golf course in Fredericksburg VA .........

Dear Cannon Ridge Patron:

This is a difficult email for  us  to send but we want to inform you that we have surrendered our lease of Cannon Ridge. After investing several million dollars and operating the club for ten years we at this point are unable to find a way to continue in these challenging economic times Thank you for your support and loyalty over the years.

Regards,

Gary Schaal and Deane Beman
Cannon Ridge Golf Club
9000 Celebrate Virginia Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA  22406


The funny thing is that I won 750 shop credit and was going to buy new RocketbladeZ for my brother and now I have no idea if the credit is gone ( which it probably is )

Sad news as I was a fan of this course !!

[Thrillhouse]

Is that the deane beman who used to be the PGA tour commissioner?

[Johnny Biarritz]

Isn't/wasn't Cannon Ridge top 10 in the state? Pretty crazy.

[Snufles]

Yeah looks like he co-designed it.

[BluehoseGolf]

Jeez, cannon ridge is a great golf course. Hate to hear that happening

[Arizonalefty59]

Damn that's awful

[ProBowler]

Thrillhouse, on 03 January 2013 - 12:36 AM, said:

Is that the deane beman who used to be the PGA tour commissioner?

Yes

[ProBowler]

Johnny Biarritz, on 03 January 2013 - 12:43 AM, said:

Isn't/wasn't Cannon Ridge top 10 in the state? Pretty crazy.

Number 10

[Cia2a]

^{Shock of shocks, one of the best courses around. I do find it interesting that in hard times, golf courses do not reduce rates to encourage more play.}

[Johnny Biarritz]

Cia2a, on 03 January 2013 - 07:00 AM, said:

^{Shock of shocks, one of the best courses around. I do find it interesting that in hard times, golf courses do not reduce rates to encourage more play.}

They were charging very reasonable rates, at $49 during the week and $59 weekends. Looking at the course on their website, aerial views and so forth, I don't see anything that makes me think those are not very reasonable rates. A quick look tells me that the location might have not done the course/club any favors...I may be wrong, but it doesn't look all that easy to get to.

[plus8]

We're considering moving to a quasi-retirement community north of Myrtle Beach, and all the sales folks and developers we've talked to are saying that both the economic times AND the fact that golf is 'trending downward' is affecting development plans as well as ability to maintain courses. I've seen many courses that used to be pristine courses and now are just 'hanging on'.

[Puppetmaster]

This is a shame. Cannon Ridge is actually easy to get to from I-95, but its neither here nor there relative to a major city, in an area where golf isn't that big (compared to other metro areas). Too far from DC and too far from Richmond. An hour and change outside of the DC/MD/VA metro area, coupled with horrendous traffic on 95 South (even on weekends) made it a tough choice for us living up here. The golf market here just isn't as big as in other places further south, or even the Midwest. They have a great grass range and the course is solid. I wish I had gotten to play there at least a few times.

Edited by Puppetmaster, 03 January 2013 - 08:18 AM.

[ProBowler]

Location was a factor like Puppetmaster said ....... 10 years ago when the economy was good they built the course with the intentions that a huge community was being built around it ........ then BOOM the economy and the housing market TANKED !!!!
There are only a few houses built out of the hundreds that were being planned so no people to fill the course.
Hopefully someone else with money can buy the course and save it ....... It really is a great track !!!

[pingman1]

plus8, on 03 January 2013 - 07:52 AM, said:

We're considering moving to a quasi-retirement community north of Myrtle Beach, and all the sales folks and developers we've talked to are saying that both the economic times AND the fact that golf is 'trending downward' is affecting development plans as well as ability to maintain courses. I've seen many courses that used to be pristine courses and now are just 'hanging on'.

I have been going to Myrtle Beach for 30 years and have seen many golf courses closed.  Many people have purchased retirement/vacation homes on golf courses only to see the courses close and the property values go down.  It is sad.

[Puppetmaster]

ProBowler, on 03 January 2013 - 10:34 AM, said:

Location was a factor like Puppetmaster said ....... 10 years ago when the economy was good they built the course with the intentions that a huge community was being built around it ........ then BOOM the economy and the housing market TANKED !!!!
There are only a few houses built out of the hundreds that were being planned so no people to fill the course.
Hopefully someone else with money can buy the course and save it ....... It really is a great track !!!

Yeah, those plots are for huge luxury homes, there hasn't been much of a market for those in the last few years.

Here's an article I found, they are looking for someone to run it, so there is some hope still:

http://news.frederic...ng-temporarily/

[G_M_T]

Sad news, really enjoyed the course.  

But your shop credit should be safe.  The management company Raspberry Golf Trail, is responsible for the credit.  They run another course Augustine Golf links right up 95 along with several in the NOVA, DC, and central Pa area.  I wouldn't waste too much time redeeming it, they might push back, but the law is on your side.

[dcmidnight]

Cannon Ridge was one of my favorites in the area in part due to their *very* reasonable rates. So reasonable I guess that they couldnt afford to keep the course.

IMO there are just too many options for the NoVa/DC folks once you get down an hour south of the city. Lots of courses just North of Richmond and a handful of great tracks in between - Augustine, Pendleton, Independence, Mattaponi etc. In this economy I can see how some courses just cant afford to keep the lights on.

[SHIVAN]

That's horrible news.

[esketores]

The course on which I grew up closed a year ago. The owner used the economy as an excuse. In reality his ineptness was the root cause.

[Ri_Redneck]

ProBowler, on 03 January 2013 - 12:32 AM, said:

Just got this Email today from Cannon Ridge golf course in Fredericksburg VA .........

Dear Cannon Ridge Patron:

This is a difficult email for  us  to send but we want to inform you that we have surrendered our lease of Cannon Ridge. After investing several million dollars and operating the club for ten years we at this point are unable to find a way to continue in these challenging economic times Thank you for your support and loyalty over the years.

Regards,

Gary Schaal and Deane Beman
Cannon Ridge Golf Club
9000 Celebrate Virginia Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA  22406


The funny thing is that I won 750 shop credit and was going to buy new RocketbladeZ for my brother and now I have no idea if the credit is gone ( which it probably is )

Sad news as I was a fan of this course !!

I'd give them a call. You may be the only one that got the email. Trying to save that $750 in merchandise!

BT

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Johnny Biarritz, on 03 January 2013 - 07:38 AM, said:

Cia2a, on 03 January 2013 - 07:00 AM, said:

^{Shock of shocks, one of the best courses around. I do find it interesting that in hard times, golf courses do not reduce rates to encourage more play.}

They were charging very reasonable rates, at $49 during the week and $59 weekends. Looking at the course on their website, aerial views and so forth, I don't see anything that makes me think those are not very reasonable rates. A quick look tells me that the location might have not done the course/club any favors...I may be wrong, but it doesn't look all that easy to get to.

You're correct on all accounts.  Great course, those are phenominal rates for that course, and it is very difficult to get to.  It's probably about 30 to 45 minutes south of DC along the most heavily traveled portion of I-95 to top it off.  When I did play there I always allwed an extra 45 minutes on top of normal traffic time, more if it was a tournament.

When you factor all that in, it just wasn't very convenient to put on your regular playing roation.  Too many other courses much closer to the DC/Metro area that are just as nice if not nicer.

That said, it was a very nice course/facility, it was just fighting too many obstacles.

[Jon Robert]

You aint seen nothing yet. When the boomers finish dieing the courses will close like dominos

[esketores]

Jon Robert, on 08 January 2013 - 05:01 PM, said:

You aint seen nothing yet. When the boomers finish dieing the courses will close like dominos

More truth to that than most think. This from a boomer.

[Big Ben]

Very sad, I fear many of my local tracks are hanging on by a thread. We hear rumors on a regular basis...BB

[Puppetmaster]

esketores, on 08 January 2013 - 05:05 PM, said:

Jon Robert, on 08 January 2013 - 05:01 PM, said:

You aint seen nothing yet. When the boomers finish dieing the courses will close like dominos

More truth to that than most think. This from a boomer.

It's going to likely affect more than just golf courses.

[jjczerni]

Eww,  not good

[Johnny T]

Man, that is no good.  I have wanted to play there since I moved here but just never made it a priority, mainly due to the drive.  Then again, I have to drive a decent way to get to any golf course so that isn't a good excuse.

[ProBowler]

Ri_Redneck, on 07 January 2013 - 04:51 PM, said:

ProBowler, on 03 January 2013 - 12:32 AM, said:

Just got this Email today from Cannon Ridge golf course in Fredericksburg VA .........

Dear Cannon Ridge Patron:

This is a difficult email for  us  to send but we want to inform you that we have surrendered our lease of Cannon Ridge. After investing several million dollars and operating the club for ten years we at this point are unable to find a way to continue in these challenging economic times Thank you for your support and loyalty over the years.

Regards,

Gary Schaal and Deane Beman
Cannon Ridge Golf Club
9000 Celebrate Virginia Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA  22406


The funny thing is that I won 750 shop credit and was going to buy new RocketbladeZ for my brother and now I have no idea if the credit is gone ( which it probably is )

Sad news as I was a fan of this course !!

I'd give them a call. You may be the only one that got the email. Trying to save that $750 in merchandise!

BT

Called plenty of times ........ No answer ...... May stop by tomorrow to see if anyone is around and see what I can do ......
Oh well ........ Didn't see this coming or I would have stocked up on 750 dollars worth of ProVs !!!!

[ProBowler]

Jon Robert, on 08 January 2013 - 05:01 PM, said:

You aint seen nothing yet. When the boomers finish dieing the courses will close like dominos

I'm a boomer ..... I was hoping I had a few more years !!!!!

[ProBowler]

Johnny T, on 08 January 2013 - 08:45 PM, said:

Man, that is no good.  I have wanted to play there since I moved here but just never made it a priority, mainly due to the drive.  Then again, I have to drive a decent way to get to any golf course so that isn't a good excuse.

Where do you live bro ???