I have something that I have been wanting to say directly to residents of Gardendale and people who I consider leaders in our growing community for some time. Many years of thought and listening to valid suggestions will be contained in the following post. Residents of Fultondale, Mt. Olive and Morris, please listen up as well considering that this major project would affect you and/or your students at local schools. If I tagged you in this long post, please know it is because I respect your voice in our community concerning our well being over the next ten years . First off, let me begin with letting you know my intent. I am going to give you a heartfelt letter about our little underdog of a golf course. Castle Pines Country Club (formerly Quail Ridge Country Club before my friend, local businessman Dewey Barber purchased it roughly a decade ago) is at a crossroads. After some very long brainstorming sessions with Mr. Barber concerning not only the future of the club but also the future of Gardendale, one truth is undeniable, THE ONLY GOLF COURSE IN GARDENDALE IS A CRITICAL ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY ITSELF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. It is no big secret that Mr. Barber would gladly sell the property if offered the right price and trust me, the number probably isnt as high as you think. There are a few options that could lead to our club becoming something we members and locals could really enjoy and cherish. Option 1: THE CITY OF GARDENDALE PURCHASES CASTLE PINES FOR A GREAT PRICE WITH A MONTHLY BUDGET IN MIND SPECIFICALLY FOR MODERNIZING THE CLUB BY MAKING TOUCH UPS TO THE CLUBHOUSE, POOL AND GOLF COURSE LAYOUT. The game has changed drastically since the course was built in the 60s. It could remain semi private for the current members or potentially become a very nice public course. Ive noticed on Google Earth a couple potential ways to link Castle Pines with central Gardendale. Could you imagine the Rocket golf team able to leave the high school and arrive at the course within 3 minutes? It currently takes them about 12-13 because you have to drive away from it first by going all the way down Tarrant Road, then New Castle Road and so forth. I know it becomes expensive when you build roads but believe it or not, IT COULD BE A SCENIC 45 SECOND DRIVE FROM THE GARDENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO THE 17TH TEE BOX. Hello, local realtors!! Prime golf course lots sell at a premium, especially if we can acquire the funds for the major facelift. Dont forget that having a very nice golf course in town increases property values and the general sense of well being for the community. Could you imagine how much property values at the course would drop if Mr. Barber were forced to shut it down? Even if you do not live at Castle Pines, just know that your property value would make at least a minor decline if the only course in town shuts down....which brings me to Option 2: This is probably the more feasible (and probably better) option: IF THE MEMBERSHIP OF CASTLE PINES, THE HOMEOWNERS AT THE COURSE AND THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD ENJOY ACCESS TO THE COURSE AND POOL AT LEAST 3 OR 4 DAYS A MONTH COULD RALLY TOGETHER TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP FROM JUST OVER 100 TO 250, WE COULD OFFICIALLY MAKE THE CLUB PRIVATE AGAIN AND HAVE A SELF SUSTAINING BUDGET FOR THE NECESSARY RENOVATIONS TO THE CLUBHOUSE, POOL AND GOLF COURSE. More staff would be hired to keep the new greens (that Mr. Barber purchased without increasing monthly dues I might add) in excellent shape where we could proudly host friends and high school teams from across town. Heck, Ill even promise to start hosting a fun 2 or 3 day pro-am event featuring my former UAB teammates and Pro friends I have met on the various tours. Having traveled all over for golf and having witnessed up close how many successful golf courses operate, I know that I can be a valuable asset to our club that I love so dearly. Ive never asked for anything on facebook but this is a project that I am passionate about. Out of the 13,849 residents of Gardendale (2012 Census)--not even to mention how much Fultondale is booming--do you really think we cant find 150 families who can easily afford $150 per month for a country club lifestyle?? If each member family could recruit 1 other family we could immediately begin groundbreaking. We have an excellent opportunity to do something special to shape up this beautiful piece of property and really have something to be proud of. These are not the only two options for Castle Pines improvement. If membership were increased enough, we could potentially pay for the road ourselves one day without the city of Gardendale buying the club. Please comment if you have valuable input on the matter. Mayor Phillips, I hope you and the city council members will strongly consider what I am saying for the sake of our citizens, high school students and even children who would enjoy spending a little more time outdoors with an active mind and body and a little less in front of a TV or computer screen. This is the future of our hometown that we are discussing. Mr. Barber and I would be happy to host you all at the club one day for lunch scheduled for a time when I am in town. Please feel free to tag friends or share this with those who you feel would be interested in this discussion and have some meaningful insight for us. Please know that I write all this with a motivated smile, prepared to take on a large project if you good folks are on board with me. There is a reason that my hometown is announced as Gardendale, Alabama instead of Birmingham every time I tee it up in a big event and I would like to keep it that way!
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 06:32:40 +0000