justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
ANDERSON - A Fishers businessman has made an offer on Edgewood Country Club and expects the deal to be finalized within days.
Gary Reynolds, 65, of Fishers, said the deal hinges on the completion of a survey, but fully expects to take ownership and open the course to golfers this spring.
"We're anxious, we've hired a couple people just this morning," Reynolds said Friday. "We've hired a superintendent, another person and we hope to have a pro hired within the week."
On Dec. 4, Edgewood Country Club and Cattails Golf Club in Elwood went up for auction by Indianapolis-based Gallivan Auctioneers & Appraisers. Brad Mays, co-owner of the courses with his father, Jeff, said only the Elwood course attracted interest.
"Essentially, there is an offer for Elwood, Cattails," said Mays, explaining that the deal would be settled the following day. "On Edgewood, we have no bid, although we have five interested parties who need financing to some degree. We will be working to make the package workable."
Reynolds said he was aware of the auction but was not interested at first. He changed his mind, however, after considering the proximity to his home in northern Hamilton County and his business, Reynolds Farm Equipment in Fishers.
"We're not very far from there, that was one attracting piece," Reynolds said. "Secondly, the other attracting thing, was that it's an aged course. I felt like we could resurrect it to the grandeur that was once there."
Edgewood Country Club features 18 holes on 85 acres, a two-story club house featuring dining, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
Brad Mays and his father purchased Cattails Golf Club in 2004 and then Edgewood Country Club in 2006. They expanded Cattails from nine holes to 18 and both courses were opened to the public, rather than a private membership.
"There were a lot of challenges in the operation of the business," Brad Mays said. "We did not do near the revenue (we had done) as a private club. It's a little bit of a sign of the times."
Reynolds said he will approach the task with realism and optimism.
"I don't have any grand illusions that we're going to go up there and have all the answers," Reynolds said. "But I think in a couple of years that people say our product is as good as they can find."
Reynolds said he has a three-year improvement plan for the course. During the first year, he plans to install new irrigation on the golf course and to improve the food service to include both casual and fine dining. In the second year, he hopes to improve the ballroom and make the space available for private parties.
Reynolds said he also has found a burgeoning business in golf and turf equipment in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. He said the time is right for Anderson to make a resurgence, given the growth in northern Hamilton County. He's also gambling that the economy will mount a comeback.
"We know it's a long-term project, not a quick fix," Reynolds said. "We want to be a part of resurrecting Anderson. We're betting that the economy will get better. I've just always been a positive person by nature. Now is not the time to get negative."
Reynolds has kept open the possibility of golf course employees returning to their jobs this spring, saying he does not plan to micro-manage. He plans to hold an open house at the course some time in the next month.