Millionaire's club...and other available extravagant golf properties

: Jun 13, 2009

The Saturday Golf Properties advertising section of the Wall Street Journal features a few interesting offerings for anyone looking to live large next to a terrific golf course -- or to own an entire golf resort. Just bring more than $14 million and a heavy sweater.
LandVest, which is affiliated with Christies' "Great Estates" division, is offering the Thousand Islands Country Club, located on an island in the St. Lawrence River in New York State, for a cool $14.95 million. The almost 1,000-acre

Bring more than $14 million and a heavy sweater.

property, which is located on the river and Lake of Isles, includes two 18-hole golf courses, a 103-slip marina, clubhouses, restaurant and 20 rental units. The Castle course, whose first nine holes were built in 1896 by the property's landowner, were later expanded and redone by the legendary Seth Raynor, who designed the Yale Golf Club and Fisher's Island, among others. The Lake course has its fans as well: One commenter at a golf blog site wrote recently that "If you don't have an absolutely fantastic experience playing this course then I don't ever want to golf with you."
    Good luck, however, to any buyer trying to recoup the investment via green fees (the two courses are public). The top charge on the Castle Course is $35, and you can play the Lake Course for as little as $19. The far upstate New York golf season is about as short as Nova Scotia's -- think May to October, if you are lucky. However, the scenery is impressive, especially for those looking for water views. All that extra acreage provides plenty of room for future housing and a potential refuge for Floridians looking for a summer escape. More info is available at LandVest.com or contact me if you would like me to inquire in your behalf.
    Saucon Valley Country Club is legendary among golf course aficionados. The Allentown, PA, club features 60 holes of golf, and its [name] course will play host to this year's U.S. Women's Open. The Still House and its 11 acres is adjacent to the club and is listed for just under $3.5 million. The 5 bedroom, 4 ½ bath home was built in 1936 by a former Bethlehem Steel chief financial officer and Saucon Valley president. The web site is StillhousePA.com or contact me for more info.
    Last is a brand new 8,000 square foot home on the terrific Oyster Harbors Golf Course on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I have played the Donald Ross designed Oyster Harbors twice and found its spacious fairways and crowned greens a delight. The home that will be auctioned by JJ Manning on June 27th features 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 3 half baths on a little over an acre inside a gated community and includes deeded rights to a dock and beach. For more information, see JJManning.com, or contact me.

Oyster Harbors is a Donald Ross gem on Cape Cod.