BERKSHIRE TOWNSHIP — Golfers will tee off for the last time at Bent Tree Golf Club in Berkshire Township in exactly one week.
The course, which opened since 1989 at 350 Bent Tree Road, announced on Nov. 2 that it will be closing its doors for good come Nov. 16.
Since announcing the closure on the course’s Facebook page, golfers, residents, folks who got married at the course, etc. have shared their stories but also have also asked: Why?
The short answer to that question, for now, is unknown. Neither the course’s operators nor Berkshire Township had an answer for the course’s sudden closure.
“To everyone who has been part of our journey over the years, from our loyal golfers and league members to the families who celebrated special moments with us, thank you,” the course’s post reads.
“We are incredibly grateful for your support and the memories we’ve made together.”
The about 167-acre property is operated by KemperSports, an Illinois-based management company. KemperSports runs five other courses in the Columbus area and markets the courses’ memberships as the Columbus Collective.
“We are grateful to all of the loyal golfers and team members who have been part of the Bent Tree experience and for the opportunity to have served the community,” B.R. Koehnemann, a KemperSports spokesperson, said in an email to Delaware Source.
“We remain committed the Columbus community through our work with other properties in the market.”
The other five courses in the Columbus community that KemperSports run include: the Golf Club of Dublin, New Albany Links, Glenross Golf Club, Royal American Links in Galena and Clover Valley Golf Club in Johnstown.
Berkshire Township Administrator hopes property will stay a golf course
Kevin Vaughn is the Berkshire Township Administrator and he told Delaware Source the township hasn’t been involved with anything regarding the golf club’s future.
“Berkshire Township has not been notified before, during or after of any potential purchase, transfer of property, however that occurred or if that occurred, prior to the announcement that Bent Tree made about closing,” Vaughn said.
“Additionally, the township has not engaged with anyone regarding the economic development or development of Bent Tree at all to this date.”
Vaughn said the closure didn’t necessarily surprise him because the course’s condition had declined over the past year. However, the suddenness of the closure was not expected.
“We’ve heard that the course’s condition has deteriorated especially in the last year, so not surprised that we’re hearing the news,” Vaughn said. “But disappointed, for sure.”
Since 2007, the property has changed owners three times, according to the Delaware County Auditor’s online records. Vaughn said with each time that it changed owners there were concerns with what new ownership would do with the property.
At the time of publication, the property has not changed hands since the golf club posted about its closure.
Yet, Vaughn said he’s hopeful the property will remain a golf course in the future and continue being a focal point in the community.
“The township would certainly love to be engaged with the ownership, or the future ownership, on how we can work with them and help them to make that course great again,” he said.
“We’d love to see it remain a golf course, we think its an amazing gem for the greater community and we would certainly welcome an engaging conversation about that.”
