the old business model
The 18-hole golf course at Deer Ridge was completed in September 2003. The course turned out to be an attractive feature for selling some 1,000 residential homes. However, the public course never became financially viable. In the fall of 2019, after 16 years of consecutive losses the course was permanently closed.
The experience mirrors developments across the U.S. In the past 15 years, there has been a steady decline in the number of golf courses in the country. There are still more than 15,000 golf courses in the U.S.
In the coming years, it is anticipated that many more particularly public courses will have to close. These closures will cause scars in residential neighborhoods built around them.
When golf is not economically sustainable as a business model to produce income for residential neighborhoods built upon the promise of the enjoyment of a natural environment, alternative income generating sources must be found.
Beyond selling renewable energy, the environment and climate at Deer Ridge is well suited for a vineyard. There are already several wineries in close vicinity.
the new business model
At Deer Ridge, we will focus on organic production to repair the environmental damage caused by years of extensive use of chemicals for fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides to maintain the former golf course.
In addition to the organic vineyard, we envision planting olive trees and possibly lavender to create a natural and organic Mediterranean experience on the contoured hills of Deer Ridge.