May 23, 2013
News 12 at 11 o'clock / Thursday, July 19, 2012
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Alton Parker loves playing golf at the North Augusta Country Club, but recently, there's been a problem.
"It's blocked off," Parker said.
He showed up over the weekend to play only to find caution tape, a "no Trespassing" sign and a sign saying "golf course closed" at the entrance to the club.
"Without any information and walking up to this, you just don't know what's up," Parker said.
Donnie Thompson bought the course in June. He told News 12 he owns the land but does not run the course. He said those running the course ran out of money, couldn't pay their insurance and shut down.
That poses another problem for Parker and other members.
"All I'm really expecting is a newsletter, an explanation," he said. "Are we going to do y'all good because I paid a month in advance."
Parker's paid up through August to play at a golf course that isn't open.
Thompson says he's never received a penny in membership fees. He says all that goes through the old management, which is now dissolved.
Thompson, however, is still maintaining the course and told News 12 it's up to members to band together, come up with a plan and lease the course from him if they want it to stay open.
He says to keep up with maintenance costs, the course needs about 450 members. He says the course is nowhere near that right now.
Have information or an opinion about this story? Click here to contact the newsroom.
Copyright WRDW-TV News 12. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished without express written permission.
