After two years, Richmond Pines Country Club is basically starting over. Two years of management problems has caused the board of directors to take over the operation and are working on improvements to the course and the entire country club.

Wayne Barker, board member and the person who has stepped in to take on the overhaul, explains how important it is.

“We currently have 70 members,” Barker said. “In two years we’ve lost approximately 90 members because the course became in troubled shape. The country club as a whole needs to show the residents of this county that we have a wonderful course that can be utilized.”

The economic downturn has created a crisis for many of the nation’s 4,400 country clubs. At one time, Richmond Pines had close to 300 members and over the years it has fallen to some of the lowest numbers it has seen. Elite clubs like the Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills outside of New York City, and the Riviera Club in Los Angeles remain impervious to the downdraft. Many middle- and lower-tier courses are feeling the crunch and some are even in foreclosure.

The National Golf Foundation (NGF) say as many as 15 percent are suffering serious financial problems. Tax reforms enacted by Congress eliminated or reduced the ability to club members to continue their relationship with many of the clubs. That gave rise to a new breed of public upscale courses that some executives view as more suitable and a cheaper place to entertain clients. The NGF expect at least 400 clubs, possibly with numbers up to 1,000 to close, convert to public pay or be absorbed into healthier clubs.

Richmond Pines Country Club hopes they will not be in that statistical count. Work on the course is in progress now and Barker is excited to see the improvements and the impact it will have on new memberships.

“We are currently working on our course, especially the greens. Jack Miller is currently aerating the greens and we will lay down fertilizer and put water to it as soon as possible,” Barker said. “We also plan to get the unwanted grass from the fairways and get the Bermuda grass back in place. This should not take very long either.”

The 18-hole Richmond Pines course features 6,267 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Designed by Donald J. Ross, the course opened in 1928. The back nine of the course proves to be true Ross inspired. His trademark was sloping courses and greens. Ross designed Pinehurst No. 2.

There is enough variety of terrain to challenge the most advanced golfer. There are four water hazards that come into play on five of the holes. Mature pines lining the undulating fairways place a premium on accuracy.

There are several scheduled tournaments this month and the club hopes they will boost interest in Richmond Pines once again.

This weekend, the club is hosting a member/guest tournament that the club does annually. After the two days with five nine-hole rounds, the first and second place teams will be announced. A “Big Dog” Elimination will follow. This is the greatest prize of the weekend.

Exit Realty and Tim Hayden are sponsoring a Habitat For Humanity tournament the weekend of Sept. 17.

“We are looking forward to the tournament,” Hayden said. “Although we still need a few hole sponsors, I feel that the tournament will be a success. I am a member of Richmond Pines. Although I have not played golf in a couple of months, I still pay my membership fees. The community needs to take part in the success of the club by joining if possible. This club has been in our county for many years. We should get behind Richmond Pines 100 percent.”

On Sept. 23, the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an Industry Appreciation Tournament.

“We have sponsored a golf tournament for the past 13 years for the local industries as a thank you for their investment in Richmond County,” said Emily Tucker, chamber of commerce president.

Tucker also spoke of the Richmond Pines Country Club.

“The club itself used to thrive. I believe the county should stand behind this club, regardless of what problems they may have had. I do not know what the future holds,” Tucker said. “It could go one of two ways with this country club. I hope that success is in the future for Richmond Pines because I would hate for the golf course or entire club itself to no longer operate in Richmond County.”

Lifestyle/Features Editor Tammy Morse can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 16 or by e-mailing at tmorse@yourdailyjournal.com