Right now in Addison Township there exists the potential to build the perfect golf course in one expert’s opinion.
The land is there. The master plan is sitting on a shelf. All that’s needed is an interested party.
‘I think it’s one of the more spectacular sites I’ve seen throughout the country,? said Raymond Hearn, founder and owner of the Holland-based Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs, Inc. ‘It’s one of those sites that’s perfectly suited for golf ? the rolls, the terrain, the vegetation, the view.?
Located in Addison and Dryden townships, the site Hearn’s referring to is 500 acres zoned agricultural and owned by Randy Bellestri, owner of the Orion-based Odyssey Industries, Inc., an aircraft and automotive tooling manufacturer.
The property has one mile of frontage along Hosner Road between Johnathan and Oakwood Roads. It has another quarter-mile of frontage along Johnathan Road and a half-mile fronting Hemstead Road.
About five years ago, Bellestri was planning to finance and build a golf course there on his own. ‘It’s just a gorgeous site for a golf course,? he said.
He hired Hearn who in turn designed an approximately 250-acre course with 18 holes called Springwater Farms Golf Club (see plan on page 14).
‘We were talking about putting a (subdivision) around it at one time,? Bellestri noted.
But Bellestri decided to shift gears and focus on his other business interests, so the project got shelved.
‘I’m so busy doing my own thing, I just decided not to do it,? he explained.
Although the land is currently not for sale, Bellestri said he would be willing to sell if an interested party approached him with the right offer.
‘At this point in time, he has no intention of developing the project himself,? said Hearn, ‘but he would entertain (offers by) any parties that were interested in buying the property and going ahead with this development.?
Hearn said he would love to see his plan come to life given the site’s unique features and sheer ‘splendor.?
‘The (site’s) variety is one of the most dramatic design elements,? said Hearn, who’s designed 16 golf courses around the United States since 1996 and is currently designing two more in France and Egypt.
Bellestri’s property has open meadows, beautiful pine stands, wooded areas filled with hard wood trees, beautiful wetlands, large natural ponds, areas that are ‘gently rolling? and ‘some pretty steep hills,? according to Hearn. ‘He’s got everything on that site.?
‘When you see it, you’ll know what I’m talking about,? Hearn noted. ‘In my 22 years, I would rank this as one of the best sites.?
The entire 500-acres contains ‘probably seven homes? right now. Bellestri and family members live in a few, while the others are rentals.
‘One lady, when I bought her property, I told her she could live there for the rest of her life,? Bellestri said.
Bellestri noted that ‘none of the houses interfere with the course design.?
‘We designed around all that,? he said.
In fact, there’s a possibility Bellestri’s own main house ? which is 17,000 square feet in size and includes a bowling alley and indoor pool ? could be used as the course’s clubhouse, if a developer wished. ‘That would be an ideal situation,? he said.
Hearn’s design includes a clubhouse, driving range, putting green, tennis courts plus a swimming pool complete with pool house.
To make the course user-friendly for the greatest number of players, yet still provide a fair challenge, Hearn’s plan calls for a ‘five-tee system.?
Each hole would have five areas from which to tee off, each suited to a different skill level ranging from beginner to professional.
‘You could have multiple levels of golfing ability out there and everyone having a good time. You could bring the wife and kids out with you,? said Hearn, whose course designs have won numerous awards from Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. ‘You could also have a U.S. Open event there. It’s that strong.?
If the course Hearn designed was built on Bellestri’s site, he said, ‘it would immediately be ranked one of the top 10 courses in this state ? the land is that good.?
‘When you play a great golf course, you clearly remember a majority of the holes, the beautiful settings,? he explained. ‘This is one of those courses you would remember the vast majority of the holes. It’s that special.?
‘I think it would be a home-run for someone (to develop),? said Hearn, noting it would be perfect as a ‘semi-private? golf club that offered ‘very affordable? private memberships yet was still open to the public. ‘In essence, it could be the poor man’s country club.?
To all the ‘naysayers? who would undoubtedly ask why anyone would consider building another golf course in this area, especially when there are already so many, Hearn’s reply was quite simple.
‘If something’s better, the cream’s going to rise to the top,? he said.
Hearn said he once told Bellestri he’ll ‘never give up? on making his plan a reality. ‘Hopefully, it will get built someday,? he said.
Anyone who’s interested in purchasing Bellestri’s property can call him at (313) 909-2450.
For more information on landscape architect Raymond Hearn and his golf course designs visit www.rhgd.com.