Management group hired for Freeland golf course

The Holmes Harbor Golf Course is on the path to reopening.

After being closed for more than a year, Kevin Hanchett purchased the course in July. The Edmonds and Mutiny Bay resident has since hired OB Sports Golf Management, Development and Consulting of Scottsdale, Ariz. to review the property’s opportunities.

“The primary focus of the review has been on the food and beverage opportunities within the clubhouse as well as an overview of the existing golf course conditions,” Hanchett said, “and what it might take to elevate the project presentation and functionality.”

The course conditions were fair enough for Hanchett to play the first hole Sunday.

“We have been slowly but surely bringing the course back to playable condition,” Hanchett said in an email. “The fairways have been mowed down to 1-inch and the greens are getting their fall fertilizer.”

Hanchett said he expected to receive the management group’s report this week. Then the ownership group Onyxx Capital 1 will create a plan to reopen the course and the restaurant.

Hanchett and an unnamed principal owner bought the debt against the property, and in turn the course and restaurant were given to them earlier this summer. The previous ownership company, Holmes Harbor Community Partners, closed the course in March 2010.

Part of Hanchett’s preliminary vision to generate more revenue was to reduce the course fees and renovate the dock that leads to the clubhouse. He envisioned a dock-and-play golf course similar to

Port Ludlow Resort.

A reopening date has yet to be determined.

Contact South Whidbey Record Sports, South Whidbey School District, South Whidbey Fire/EMS Ben Watanabe at bwatanabe@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-221-5300.

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