Sports
Old course gets new ownership
By Griffin Pritchard
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Golfers at Wetumpka’s Quail Walk Country Club may notice a different attitude around the clubhouse and a few new faces on the links.
Earl Singleton, who owns commercial real estate including the San Marcos building, Academy Events building and property in Shelby County, purchased Wetumpka’s only golf course nearly three weeks ago.
“I think Wetumpka needs a nice golf course,” said Singleton. “I’m hoping that the residents will participate and enjoy the club. This city needed a public golf course.”
Quail Walk was built in 1974 as a private country club-style facility and remained that way until Singleton purchased it.
“It’ll always have the membership option,” said Singleton. “But the golf course will always be open to the public.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the new cost to play 18-holes with a cart was $35.
The course measures 6,480 yards and runs along the Coosa River on Alabama Highway 111.
“We are very excited about the progress that we’ve made so far,” said Singleton. “It’s in better condition than it’s been in 10 years.”
The course, however, isn’t the only part of the facility that received a facelift.
“I’m very excited about the progress that we’ve made to the clubhouse and to the course,” said Singleton. “We are going to totally remodel the clubhouse. We’ve already added stonework to the foryer and to the exterior. We’ve started painting the exterior and already replaced the deck and the plumbing.”
But that’s not all.
“My goal is to put a restaurant in there that is going to be open to the public,” said Singleton. “Hopefully people will come in and play 18 holes and see all that we are doing here and want to join.”
Membership at the now semi-private country club does have it’s perks.
“We are going to have exercise facilities, tennis courts and an Olympic size swimming pool for members to use,” said Singleton. “There’s also going to be a lot of activities for members to participate in, like the Ladies Golf Association and the Men’s Golf Association. Plus, greens fees are waived for members.”
However, they will still have to pay the $15 cart rental fee.
Membership to Quail Walk is $300 initially and then $110 a month there after.
“If you play regularly, then joining the club would be a benefit to you,” said Singleton. “Plus, by being a member, you will have total use of all the amenities, including tanning beds and the exercise room.”
Membership aside, Singleton just wants people to visit and play at his facility.
“I don’t make an investment unless I think it’s a good one and I thought this was,” said Singleton. “This will certainly be more an attraction to the people in this area.”
Quail Walk is open from 7 a.m., to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday but is closed on Tuesdays.
