Stoneybrook golf course under new ownership

HERITAGE HARBOUR — After touring the Stoneybrook Golf Club for the first time, Chris Brandt didn’t think twice about sending a text message to client Mark Pentecost to let him know the facility was for sale and may be one of interest.

But the message proved to be more noteworthy than he ever expected.

“(Mark) called me (back) laughing,” Brandt said. “The day before, he (and his wife, Cindy) had purchased a home in River Strand (in Heritage Harbour). In all the places they could have bought, it was literally a half-mile away in the same community.”

Although the Pentecosts didn’t jump into the transaction without due diligence, the site proved to be the perfect match.

After six months of research and negotiations, the couple closed on the 18-hole championship Arthur Hills-designed course on Sept. 30, hiring Brandt and his company, Red Wire Sports, to manage the facility. The $3.48 million deal also includes a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse with a pro shop, restaurant, and cart barn and a 7,500-square foot maintenance building.

“These clubs have a lot to do with relationships,” Brandt said, noting his company took over operations Oct. 1. “We want to make sure we don’t take away something people enjoy. There will be no broad, sweeping changes right away. We’ll start with baby steps.”

Changes to date have been subtle — Red Wire Sports didn’t even miss its first payroll, although it occurred just four days after the deal closed.

The most obvious sign has been the four new 55-inch flatscreen televisions.

Just this week, the course was scheduled to start using a new water and ice dispenser so golfers wouldn’t have to scoop ice into coolers themselves.

“It’s more sanitary,” Brandt said. “Everything is nice and clean.”

Brandt said the first few weeks of the transition were spent talking with department heads, staff and members about what they loved and what they felt could be improved while also sharing the Pentecosts’ vision for the future.

Brandt last week picked up drawings for a big patio on the back of the clubhouse. Although the addition has not been finalized, it is something management is “strongly considering.”

Brandt said the Pentecosts, who love to play golf and already have spent time meeting members, will be relying on the course’s staff and membership in determining what other future improvements may be needed.

Additionally, the Pentecosts have hired Zach Hesse to handle public relations for the facility. Hesse has worked three years for the Pentecosts with their It Works! direct-sales business in Michigan.

Brandt said Hesse is tasked with building relationships with non-profits and other organizations that may wish to use the course or any of its facilities — whether for tournaments or meetings.

“We’re a daily fee golf course with a few members,” Brandt said. “We’re probably never going to go private, but we want to be part of the community. There’re lot of organizations that need things, need help. They need venues.”

Sean Roth contributed to this report.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.