BRISTOL — After 21 years of fun, owner Dave Barnes believes it’s time to pass Bristol Oaks Golf Club to an owner who can “take it to the next level.”
“It’s a fun, nice place that could be taken to the next level,” he said. “Someone who comes in and is interested in the golf course, especially if they’re familiar with golf courses, it would be ideal for them.”
The property has been listed for sale by Links Capital Advisors for $2.5 million and includes 144 acres with 1,200 feet of frontage on Highway 50, an 18,000+ square foot clubhouse with a pro shop, two full bars, two large banquet rooms, a large patio area, driving range, two-story barn, all equipment and furnishings, and a remodeled four bedroom rental house.
A full listing of the property is online at www.LinksCapitalAdvisors.com.
Barnes, who owns Bristol Oaks alongside two other principal owners, said he first got involved with the property when one of his friends, Steve Zamora, wanted to purchase it.
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“I represented the buyer previous to me. I was his lawyer and friend and he bought it,” Barnes said. “A few years later, he started having some financial difficulties and was going to sell Bristol Oaks but he really liked the place, and I said I would help him find a buyer.”
Barnes said he asked friends and family if they were interested in owning the property. After deciding with them that it was a good investment, “the next thing I know, I’m part owner of a golf course.”
Barnes said he planned on keeping it for a short period of time, in which Zamora would buy him out or Barnes and other stakeholders would sell it.
“Well, a few years later, (Zamora) relocates, moves out of the area. He’s not running it, and we had this golf course. A couple of the other partners just love it and wanted to keep it,” Barnes said.
There were nine to ten partners involved at first, Barnes said, but now there are three after people retired and were bought out.
“We were having a lot of fun but now, all of a sudden, it’s 21 years later, and I’m the youngest of the principal owners, and I’m 65 and where did that time go? And the other one, who’s out there all the time, he’s in his 80s. We just said, this is time (to sell),” he said.
“One (owner) golfed occasionally, but none of the owners are really avid golfers,” Barnes said. “So we kind of laugh when we go out there, just to say, ‘How did we get into this?”
Course improvements
Since owning the course, Barnes said a number of improvement projects took place, “from improving the grass, the tees, the fairways, the tee boxes and the cart paths to creating the only course in the area that has an island green.”
“We completely remodeled the inside of the clubhouse a number of years ago,” he said. “Everything from the beautiful mahogany paneling to point of sale systems to putting in new carpet and redoing the banquet room.”
The golf carts have regularly been upgraded, Barnes said, and the rental house on the property had been stripped down and completely remodeled.
The current course needs additional improvements, such as an automatic irrigation system, Barnes said, but “we’re just not at that stage in our life anymore.”
Memorable moments
Some of the more memorable moments from owning Bristol Oaks include the events held there, including Barnes’ daughter’s wedding reception, another partner’s daughter’s wedding reception and various birthday and anniversary celebrations.
“We’ve had a lot of nice events, a lot of fun,” Barnes said.
Something Barnes will miss about owning the course is the “camaraderie.”
“You’re seeing people sharing their fond memories, whether it be golf or whether it be through other events, particularly weddings (and) family gatherings,” he said. “When they come back and you get a nice note, or you see the people around, they say, ‘I had such a good time at Bristol Oaks,’ that’s what we hope for.”
Racine County’s annual golf outing, supporting local veterans, in photos
Zach Zdroik, executive director for Veterans Outreach Wisconsin, speaks Friday during the Racine County Annual Golf Outing at Ives Grove Golf Links.
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Jonathan Delagrave , county executive for Racine County, speaks Friday during the Racine County Annual Golf Outing at Ives Grove Golf Links, 14101 Washington Ave, Sturtevant.
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Racine County held its annual golf outing Friday at Ives Grove Golf Links, 14101 Washington Ave., Yorkville, with 100% of the proceeds going to support Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin help local veterans. Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin operates the tiny home village on Yout Street.
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