Sapphire golf course for sale again-Cashiers, NC

For sale again! Formally the Sapphire Mountain Golf Course, now Sapphire National Golf Course. Sapphire National Golf Course is one of the only public golf courses in the Western North Carolina mountains, specifically the Cashiers, Highlands exclusive resort community.

For additional information on the golf course please call 828 226 8837

This was an orignal article published in the local newspaper in 2007 explaining the improvements that were going to be made by current owners who now have the course for sale.


Sapphire golf course to change owners
By Kelly Donaldson, Editor
Posted: Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 03:16:38 pm EDT

Sapphire Mountain Golf Club is under contract to be sold to Craig Shatto and his business partner, Roy A. Gaddey Jr., hopefully improving not only the course and its facilities, but also the struggling relationship between the course and the Sapphire Valley Masters Association (SVMA).



Current owner Danny Mays said he submitted the paperwork to the SVMA on Thursday June 7, giving the SVMA 10 days to accept or deny the sale, or perhaps even make a counter offer.

"The 10-day period has expired," said Mays, pointing to June 17 as the expiration date. "They did not respond, so it's under contract and going through the study period."

Mays said the earliest the deal could possibly close would be 90 days from June 7, which would be Sept. 7.

Shatto and his real estate broker for the deal, Bill Kruckenberger of Buyers' Real Estate of Highlands, said they could not legally disclose the purchase price of the property just yet.

Currently, there are two lawsuits pending between Mays and the SVMA, one by each. Within the last week, both Mays and his attorney, Billy Clarke, have claimed that they have filed a third lawsuit against the SVMA. However, the Chronicle has yet to obtain proof of that lawsuit.

"My main goal going into this was to improve the place, which we did," said Mays. "We wanted to leave it better than we found it, which we did. When the buyers solicited me, we wanted somebody to carry on the improvements and they have the ability to greatly improve the property.

"I would hope that the (SVMA) would work better with them than with me," Mays added.

Shatto and Kruckenberger equally reserve hope that new ownership might dismiss some of those issues.

"We're hoping to alleviate that for everybody," said Kruckenberger.

"We're trying to work with both parties," added Shatto. "Our objective here is to be sensitive to the golfers and to the members who are not golfers. There's between 11,000 to 13,000 members. We certainly do not want to cause any uproar. We're not going to make it a private course or anything like that. We want to improve the course and we're looking for feedback from the members to make this course better."

SVMA president Walt Green said the association was under a confidentiality agreement not to comment on the sale itself, but said, "These individuals seem to be cognizant of the community and want to do what's best for the property and its owners."

As for whether Green thinks new ownership could help drop the pending lawsuits, he said, "That has to be worked out. I've not seen any of the materials regarding the sale, but we'd certainly hope the sale could clear up some of those issues."

Mays said, "There's nothing in the sales contracts that will settle our litigation. We have sent written settlement requests to them, (the SVMA) but we got no response."

Shatto said he plans to put a lot of money into the course to make it, "more fun and playable." Among other changes Shatto and Gaddey Jr. are considering are improvements and renovations to the clubhouse, the pro shop, retail items, the pub, and restaurant.

But Shatto reiterated that he wants to do this with input from the SVMA.

"We're trying to say, 'OK guys, stop your fighting.' We're here to try to help one party drop their lawsuit and another party to drop their lawsuit," added Shatto. "Hopefully, we're successful in doing that."

Another of Shatto's goals is to improve property values for members.

"What's happening over there is values are dropping because of the lawsuits and talk of the golf course shutting down," said Shatto about the 148-acre property. "Property values are going to go up and we're deeply committed to that."

The SVMA owns deeded rights that require the golf course to be a golf course, according to Kruckenberger, easing any worries members may have about drastic changes to the course.

"These guys (the potential new owners) love golf, love the golf course, love the resort and Cashiers Valley," said Kruckenberger.

Shatto, 42, has been coming to the Sapphire area since 1991 and lives here part-time. He works in public relations and marketing, with a focus on golf and real estate. Gaddey Jr., is from Michigan and currently lives in Tampa, Fla. He builds and renovates golf courses.

At the next SVMA board meeting on July 9 at 10 a.m., Shatto and Gaddy Jr., plan to make a presentation and are looking for participation and support.

"We just want to give them an idea of what we're thinking," said Shatto. "We are looking for support and participation. We hope to have a good turnout."

For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale mailto:info@carolinapg.com or call
828 226 8837

Pet Friendly Communities & Parks, Cashiers, NC

Pet-friendly Communities and Parks for Retirement
ByJayDaughtry

In doing my research on pet-friendly communities for retirement I came across some interesting information.First, many communities consider themselves “pet-friendly”, but generally this means that pets are not prohibited. Some go a step further and talk about their open space where owners can bring their pets for walks or to play. A few make real attempts at defining what makes a community pet-friendly and seek to integrate pet ownership into the neighborhood.

Here's one in Western North Carolina:

River Rock, located in Cashiers, N.C., is building what it is calling The Grizzly Poodle, a pet concierge service. The facility will offer full-service grooming and kennel and will also have personnel that can offer in-home pet care. The Grizzly Poodle will be located in Skillet Gap, an amenitized village for property owners in this gated community. This convenient location will also feature a general store and internet cafe.

As more baby boomers age and retire, look for more and more communities across the country to address the issue of pet-friendliness with creative approaches.

Pet Friendly Park near Cashiers, NC
Chimney Rock Park
H 64/74AChimney Rock, North Carolina

This park offers the best of the mountains in one place, from unique geological formations to sweeping views. Enjoy spectacular 75-mile plus views from the top of the Skyline Trail (Exclamation Point) or Inspiration Point, explore a 404-foot waterfall from the top or bottom, check out a variety of interesting trails, or try the 185 stair walk that threads between a narrow passage, and is called the "eye of the needle".

You'll also find a variety of special events, a nature center, a native plant nursery, guided tours, and much more. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the stairs, but they are not allowed on the elevator or in the Skylight Cafe. Dogs must be well behaved, on leash, and cleaned up after at all times.

The Preserve at Eagle Crest Developer Website

View of Guest House at The Preserve at Eagle Crest

The Preserve at Eagle Crest is a 46 Estate Home Site community with an average of two acre lots located in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains of Lake Glenville, North Carolina. The views are 360-degrees of the lake, Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountains, Snowbird Mountains, Whiteside Mountain and long range views into bordering states.

The development is located amongst the highest mountains in the Eastern United States and the area boosts the most waterfalls in North Carolina, exclusive shopping in Highlands & Cashiers, has two of the top five golf courses in North Carolina, public and private lakes, some of the best weather in the Eastern United States.

Because of the close proximity to 3 major airports and several smaller ones, the area has doubled in size over the last 10 years. The area continues to see growth in golf courses, lake front property, shopping centers, residents of Fortune 100 companies and some of the top restaurants in the state. Today the area is known for its fine private clubs and summer home communities offering a variety of amenities.

Lake Glenville Area History

Lake Glenville is the highest lake east of the mississippi. It has an elevation of 3,942 feet. There are 26 miles of shoreline, several waterfalls, and a surface area of over 1500 acres. The lake is fed by five tributaries and dozens of creeks and streams. Glenville is a beautiful community rich in history.

The original name was Hamburg Township and was settled in 1827. It suffered during the Civil War, but was slowly rebuilt, and in the late 1880's was once again a thriving area with industries such as lumbering, tanning, and mining. In January of 1891, the town was renamed Glenville. During WWII, in 1940 and 1941, the Nantahala Power and Light Company, then owned by ALCOA Company, constructed a dam on the Tuckasegee River so it could supply their company with more electricity to make aluminum for the war effort.

While filling the new lake, it encompassed the entire valley north of Cashiers, flooding the town of Glenville and all the schools, homes, businesses, and farmlands up to a depth of 300 feet.

For more information on The Preserve at Eagle Crest visit the website at http://www.thepreserveateaglecrest.com/ or send us an email mailto:info@carolinapg.com
828-226-8837

The Preserve at Rock Creek Offers Upscale Mountain Living with a Unique Environmental Touch

This was posted on the dBusinessNews Daily web site.

CASHIERS, N.C. – (June 5, 2007) –

The Preserve at Rock Creek, a 281-acre community with 200 acres permanently protected from development by a conservation easement, offers residents the best of both worlds: attractive home sites surrounded by lush natural forest.

Exclusively represented by Landmark Realty Group, The Preserve at Rock Creek is a private, gated mountain community with 16 five-acre home sites surrounded by serene natural forest. Eleven lots remain available, including two that feature their own weekend shelter, or guest house. Prices range from $325,000-745,000.

“For me, mountain living means less is always more,” said Tim Bright, Owner and Developer of The Preserve at Rock Creek. “I fell in love with this area as a child and when I returned as a developer, I wanted to maintain the unique beauty and natural state that I had grown up with. That is why I set aside 200 acres as a conservation easement, to ensure that it will never be developed.”

Bright set aside the conservation easement following an environmental assessment that identified more than 100 wildlife species at Rock Creek, including white-tailed deer, foxes, hawks, grouse, owls and native trout. In addition, nine endangered, threatened, rare or watch list species were also found, which include the Appalachian Bewick’s Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Southern Appalachian Salamander.

The Preserve at Rock Creek features an eight-acre naturalized wildflower meadow, which Bright restored after acquiring the property. Other community features include hiking and ATV trails, a stocked trout pond, rock outcroppings, cliffs, caves, natural springs, stunning waterfalls and Rock Creek, which runs almost the entire length of the property. The lots also offer gorgeous mountain and lake views.

“The Preserve at Rock Creek is a controlled development with many unique natural aspects,” said Jane Ebberts, Broker-in-Charge and Owner of Landmark Realty Group, the exclusive representative of The Preserve at Rock Creek. “This community really brings together the best of both worlds by providing residents with an upscale lifestyle as well as the natural peace and beauty of mountain living. It is truly a rare combination.”

Surrounding areas offer 30 waterfalls, including Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, as well as Lake Glenville and Lake Toxaway. Nearby Panthertown Valley, 6,700 acres of lush national forest, offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and pristine waterfalls. With average temperatures during the winter months ranging from the 30s to mid 40s and a summer ambient temperature of 72 degrees, this region is the perfect place for year-round outdoor activities.

Located in Sapphire, and just eight miles from Cashiers, The Preserve at Rock Creek is also in close proximity to fine dining, lodging and unique antique and upscale shopping. The community is also a short drive from some of the world’s best golf courses, including Wade Hampton Golf Club, Chattooga Club and High Hampton.

For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale mailto:info@carolinapg.com or call
888-277-2006