Published Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:05 AM
Traditions' new partner celebrates move
By CASSIE SMITH
cassie.smith@theeagle.com
A Houston-based golf course operator said Tuesday that he and his three partners were excited to be taking over the management of Traditions Golf & Country Club in Bryan.
The Huddleston Group will manage the 943-acre development through an entity known as Traditions Acquisition Partnership, according to Spencer Clements.
In addition to Clements, the partnership is made up of Billy Pete Huddleston, Peter Currie and Mike Rupe. Currie is a Traditions homeowner, while Rupe owns property in the development. All four men are Texas A&M graduates.
Clements said they would spend the week getting to know employees and members at Traditions and were looking forward to a long-term partnership with the city.
The group acquired South Carolina-based Melrose Co.'s loans and stake in the development and will be sorting through the transition's legal issues in the next couple of months, Clements said.
Melrose Co. partnered with the city for the Traditions development in 2003 but cited the faltering economy when it announced in December that it was halting construction and laying off employees.
Bryan Deputy City Manager Joey Dunn said the terms of the deal were similar to the city's partnership with Melrose and included an agreement to share profits from lot sales.
Dunn said the transition should be smooth, with no interruption of services or maintenance.
"It's a new future," Dunn said.
The Traditions project is worth about $85 million, city officials have said, including the golf course, club house and residential development. There are more than 100 homes in the development and 235 lots that have been sold.
The management change, which is effective immediately, will not affect the Texas A&M golf team, which practices and hosts tournaments at the Traditions course.
Clements said it's great to be able to come back to the area with a group of Aggies who understand the importance of the word traditions.
Residents and members should expect only subtle changes, he said, and Traditions will continue to be "a wonderful place for people to live, play golf and make friends."
"It is what it is and it's not going to change," he said about the project. "We're just going to try and make it even better."
Melrose Co. had been looking for someone to take over the development, Clements said, and Currie approached the others about the opportunity.
"It's been a very complex roller-coaster ride," Clements said.
Comments
[comment]
16 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:57 PM
Comment Title:
And we are stuck with Conlee, Bienski, and Horton for another two years after this election. God help us.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:33 PM
Comment Title: Another win for a few
The rest of Bryan citizens will pay for a few to enjoy and the mayor council and studges will journey along merrily. They have no clue in leadership.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:48 PM
Comment Title:
Some can have both, others must make choices. That's life - choices.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
RES GESTAE On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:41 PM
Comment Title: Would Rather Eat
What is the attraction to golf? Paying a lot of money to chase a white ball is not exciting. Having a loaf of bread on the table is preferable than knocking a white ball in a hole.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:27 PM
Comment Title: Bryan gambled and lost.
Hardly. This seems to be a big win since there are 2,000+ acres to be developed in the area. Traditions drew the Health Science Center to get the ball rolling.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:32 AM
Comment Title:
Good for Bryan and the project partners. Now let's get to building.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:41 PM
Comment Title:
Good on Bryan and their new partners.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
My problem is was this opportunity offered to others On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 7:09 PM
Comment Title:
Melrose Co. had been looking for someone to take over the development, Clements said, and Currie approached the others about the opportunity. Seems as though it was the choice Melrose Co., the owner of the interest.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Bryan Resident On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:09 PM
Comment Title:
The City of Bryan was pot committed regardless of whether Melrose kept the project or someone else took it over. Letting the acreage lie fallow would have benefited no one. The City of Bryan will benefit from lot sales, sales tax on construction materials, property taxes, BTU charges, etc.. Excellent move by the council to find another partner or at least assist in getting a replacement on board.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM
Comment Title:
I am dang glad they got this deal done and done now. The golf course was in real danger of not being kept up. The TAMU golf team needs a good place to practice and hold their tournaments. Well done Bryan and your new partners.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 1:52 PM
Comment Title:
Who has the Money to build a new 3/4-million dollar home today. Bryan gambled and lost. The Tax paying people lost big. To big problems now face Bryan wasted tax money and no money for city infrastructures repairs.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:47 AM
Comment Title: For a Share of the Profit
Did the city agree to share the profit after the city recovers the $32M or just give the group some money everytime a lot is sold. I do not think Mr. Dunn and the city even understand the concept of profit (ok for the city). Now if it makes them a few bucks on their investments (Conlee downtown) or maybe some fringe benefits (club memberships) then I guess it is worth it to all the good citizens of Bryan.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:59 AM
Comment Title:
Try Googling Huddleston in Houston. Same for Peter Currie. Clements runs golf courses. Rupe owns a couple of lots and apparently cares enough to invest in the project.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Jerry On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:16 AM
Comment Title: What's their background
Come on guys give us some information, who are they what is their background, do they have any expertise in developments of this kind or are they just managers. Running a golf course and developing a project like this are two completely different items. Let's not forget to ask they tough questions just because they are Aggies and understand the meaning of tradition
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:02 AM
Comment Title: Bailout
My problem is was this opportunity offered to others and the minor remark by Mr. Dunn about sharing profits from lot sales. Isn't this what Honest Abe said was the source of all the income for the city's small $32M investment?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Mark P On:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:19 AM
Comment Title:
Sterling move by these gentlemen. Best of luck to them and The City of Bryan.
Report Abuse
RSS
Mobile
Daily Emails
We Twitter
