Plans are in the works to transform a local crown jewel of golfing into a upscale housing community.
It could be the next step in the legacy of the historic Spring Valley Country Club. The facility opened about 80 years ago, but a recent drought and declines in membership forced stockholders to close the course Feb. 29.
Now the estimated 118-acre club is up for sale, according to Lee Booten. He is a major stockholder in the Kraut’s Creek Corp., which is the country club’s parent company.
Booten said stockholders would love someone to buy the land and re-open the golf course, but he admits that dream could die in six months. The more likely scenario is the upper-end housing community.
Booten has confidence a housing development would be successful and enhance the community. He said developers have already been in contact with the corporation.
"It's not just what we want," he said. "It's what the market is telling us ... The area already lends itself to upper-income housing."
Booten projects the land will sell for $30,000 per acre. That means the gross price could reach or exceed $3.54 million.
There are infrastructure needs in some portions of the golf course, but Booten said roads and utilities are close by. Sewer, water, natural gas and other needs already surround the course.
The property also is very close to Spring Valley High School. Booten said their plan will continue the construction of nice homes outside Huntington. Similar homes already are being built in Barboursville and along W.Va. 75 in northern Wayne County.
"The nice housing is already there," he said. "It's a beautiful piece of property. It's in a very nice, quiet community."
Such conversions are not unheard of.
Developers transformed the former Knob Hill Golf Course in Barboursville. One developer used a portion of the course to construct single-floor duplexes and an assisted-living facility.
Paul Turman II converted the rest of the Knob Hill course into 24 housing lots.
"I don't know that we've been very successful, but we've sold our lots," he said.
Turman said the Knob Creek development was not solely a profit-making venture. Instead, the Barboursville resident wanted to spruce up his neighborhood. The conversion enhanced what otherwise would have been dull, vacant land.
The Barboursville project helped to inspire the Spring Valley stockholders. Booten hopes for similar success. He estimates the average home will sell for between $300,000 and $400,000. The stockholders do not favor a development with many houses cramped together.
Booten said the stockholders believe they have a duty to the community.
"We envision, if housing is built on the golf course, it is going to be even nicer than what is already out there," he said. "We think it's going to be an upgrade because it is such a beautiful piece of property."
Booten said the transition process has been emotional due to the club's history.
Denny Shute of Huntington learned the game at Spring Valley, and went on to capture the West Virginia Amateur in 1923 and 1925. He also won 15 PGA Tour events, including three majors.
Sam Snead won the West Virginia Open at Spring Valley in 1949 with a 17-under-par 263. His victory margin was 18 shots.
Rick Houvouras is president of the Krauts Creek Corporation. He and Booten are the main contacts for those interested in the transformation.
Houvouras can be contacted at (304) 697-1177.
Booten can be contacted at (304) 522-4601.
Curtis Johnson is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Comments may be e-mailed to him at cujohnson@herald-dispatch.com.
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