Donald K. Willi
New Member
FVSU discussing hotel/golf course resort possibility
By Wayne Crenshaw - wcrenshaw@macontel.com
FORT VALLEY --Before unfurling a concept plan on a table at his office, Isaac Crumbly makes clear this is only an idea being discussed.
But what an idea it is.
If it becomes reality, it not only would be a dramatic step for Fort Valley State University but would give Peach County a major tourist attraction.
Crumbly, the college's vice president of collaborative programs, is spearheading discussions on the possibility of a public/private partnership to build a 250-room hotel/conference center and two 18-hole PGA golf courses on university farm property. The facilities would be part of new degree programs for golf course management, turf management and hotel management.
"One of the things that is so attractive," Crumbly said, "is not only the implementation of these courses, along with the support facilities which would be the golf course, hotel and convention center, but it would also mean so much to the community itself. To me, the overall concept is the thing that would mean so much to Middle Georgia."
Talks about the project have been ongoing between the school and state and local officials, along with Diversity Sports Inc., a Las Vegas company interested in the project. If it gets that far, however, Crumbly said it would be open for bids from other developers.
The next big step, Crumbly said, would likely be for a feasibility study to get done. He wasn't sure when, or if, that might happen, but he noted that FVSU president Larry Rivers isn't likely to sit on the idea for long without making some kind of decision.
Fort Valley Mayor John Stumbo has been involved with the talks. An avid golfer himself who has played all over the world, Stumbo said he is convinced the project would attract enough golfers to make it successful.
"If it's a quality course and maintained well, the golfers will come," Stumbo said. "I'm excited about it."
The resort would be built on university property on Camp John Hope Road, south of U.S. 341, just a few miles from Interstate 75. A concept design was drawn by Perry Dye, son of famed golf-course designer Pete Dye. It also included a lighted 9-hole par three course.
Though Crumbly emphasized that many details would still be left to hammer out, the general idea is that the school would lease the land to the developer, and the developer would finance the construction. The primary expense for the school would be adding professors, Crumbly said.
The resort would take up approximately 360 acres, including large tracts set aside for turf management. People should not be concerned that the school would be eliminating too much land used in its agriculture program, Crumbly said. He pointed out that FVSU owns 1,365 acres total.
Crumbly said he has been promoting the idea for more than 10 years, but it wasn't until Rivers came along that the school had a president willing to explore the idea.
While other colleges operate golf courses as a part of degree programs, Crumbly said, the idea of a college operating a hotel and golf course together would be unique.
"If there are any others in the nation, it's just a few," he said.
Another benefit of the project, Crumbly said, would be that it would allow the historically black college to field a golf team. Crumbly said interest in golf among minorities is on the rise, and he said the interest is actually greater than the participation.
"Many would never become proficient in playing golf, not because they don't have the interest but because they don't have money or the access," he said. "Having something like this would certainly stimulate interest in golf for a number of people."
By Wayne Crenshaw - wcrenshaw@macontel.com
FORT VALLEY --Before unfurling a concept plan on a table at his office, Isaac Crumbly makes clear this is only an idea being discussed.
But what an idea it is.
If it becomes reality, it not only would be a dramatic step for Fort Valley State University but would give Peach County a major tourist attraction.
Crumbly, the college's vice president of collaborative programs, is spearheading discussions on the possibility of a public/private partnership to build a 250-room hotel/conference center and two 18-hole PGA golf courses on university farm property. The facilities would be part of new degree programs for golf course management, turf management and hotel management.
"One of the things that is so attractive," Crumbly said, "is not only the implementation of these courses, along with the support facilities which would be the golf course, hotel and convention center, but it would also mean so much to the community itself. To me, the overall concept is the thing that would mean so much to Middle Georgia."
Talks about the project have been ongoing between the school and state and local officials, along with Diversity Sports Inc., a Las Vegas company interested in the project. If it gets that far, however, Crumbly said it would be open for bids from other developers.
The next big step, Crumbly said, would likely be for a feasibility study to get done. He wasn't sure when, or if, that might happen, but he noted that FVSU president Larry Rivers isn't likely to sit on the idea for long without making some kind of decision.
Fort Valley Mayor John Stumbo has been involved with the talks. An avid golfer himself who has played all over the world, Stumbo said he is convinced the project would attract enough golfers to make it successful.
"If it's a quality course and maintained well, the golfers will come," Stumbo said. "I'm excited about it."
The resort would be built on university property on Camp John Hope Road, south of U.S. 341, just a few miles from Interstate 75. A concept design was drawn by Perry Dye, son of famed golf-course designer Pete Dye. It also included a lighted 9-hole par three course.
Though Crumbly emphasized that many details would still be left to hammer out, the general idea is that the school would lease the land to the developer, and the developer would finance the construction. The primary expense for the school would be adding professors, Crumbly said.
The resort would take up approximately 360 acres, including large tracts set aside for turf management. People should not be concerned that the school would be eliminating too much land used in its agriculture program, Crumbly said. He pointed out that FVSU owns 1,365 acres total.
Crumbly said he has been promoting the idea for more than 10 years, but it wasn't until Rivers came along that the school had a president willing to explore the idea.
While other colleges operate golf courses as a part of degree programs, Crumbly said, the idea of a college operating a hotel and golf course together would be unique.
"If there are any others in the nation, it's just a few," he said.
Another benefit of the project, Crumbly said, would be that it would allow the historically black college to field a golf team. Crumbly said interest in golf among minorities is on the rise, and he said the interest is actually greater than the participation.
"Many would never become proficient in playing golf, not because they don't have the interest but because they don't have money or the access," he said. "Having something like this would certainly stimulate interest in golf for a number of people."
