BEND, OREGON – The joint venture partnership of Willem Willemstein and Bend-based Chris van der Velde have acquired the award-winning Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, Oregon. The acquisition includes the golf course, clubhouse and practice facility. The residential community continues to be developed by the Eugene-based Spring Capital Group, Proterra, LLC and Arrowood of Bend Oregon
Netherlands-based Willemstein is one of the largest investors in Zecco, one of the fastest growing online brokerage firms in the country. Since 2007, Mr. Willemstein has made several investments in the real estate property area, especially in Oregon, through United States-based Velocity US Properties Inc. and Velocity Capital US inc. Prior to his involvement in real estate investments; Willemstein was the joint CEO of the Petroplus group. Under his guidance Petroplus was listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Willemstein has also held various management positions in banking and petroleum industries. He served as the Deputy General Manager International Corporate Banking, with ING Bank Rotterdam (formerly NMB Bank), was the Financial Director for Calpam International Petroleum Company B.V and served as the Managing Director for the Netherlands-based Vanol Group.
Willemstein’s investment partner with the Tetherow acquisition is Bend resident Chris van der Velde. Van Der Velde was the Director of Golf Development for Arrowood Development, LLC, the original developer of Tetherow. In this role, van ver Velde was directly in charge of all elements of the golf course design performed by David McLay Kidd, and all matters related to golf course construction and pre-opening operations of Tetherow Golf Club, receiving management direction and support from OB Sports. A dual citizen of The Netherlands and the United States, van der Velde is a highly accomplished professional player and instructor. He currently serves as the Head Coach, Men’s Dutch National Golf Team and also the Director and Owner of TotalGolf BV, an Internet based golf analysis system. He was an exempt member of the European Tour from 1989 through1993 and 1998. Van der Velde is the reigning Pacific Northwest Section PGA Champion and has a playing resume that includes multiple first place finishes in the Netherlands Professional Match Play Championship, Dutch PGA Championship and the Dutch Masters, to name a few. He also finished first on the Dutch Order of Merit six times since 1990. Van der Velde holds a bachelor of science degree from Boston College University in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where he captained the BC golf team. He is a class A PGA Member of both the British P.G.A. and PGA of America.
“Since opening last summer, Tetherow has been honored with numerous awards including being recognized by Golf Magazine as the #1 Best New Course You Can Play in the United States,” stated van der Velde “We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence already established and remain dedicated on positioning Tetherow Golf Club as the premier golf experience in region. ”
No changes are slated to the existing membership program or operating standards at Tetherow. “Our acquisition of Tetherow does not change Tetherow’s commitment to delivering a spectacular golf experience for our members and resort guests. We will continue to offer membership opportunities to residents of Tetherow and until the on-property resort is built will offer opportunities for golfers from throughout Oregon and beyond to experience Tetherow first hand via our resort play periods” added van der Velde.
The visually striking Tetherow Golf Club is a par 72, 7298 yard layout that was designed by David McLay Kidd, who is the same world renowned architect who also designed Bandon Dunes and the new Castle Course, the seventh course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Since opening In July of 2008, Tetherow has been decorated with awards and accolades. Tetherow was honored by Golfweek as one of the Best New Courses for 2008, ranked as one the Top 10 New Courses in the country by T&L Golf and recognized as one of Links Magazine’s Premier Properties. In addition, Tetherow was also the very first course in Oregon to become a Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International. This signature certification is awarded only to new developments which are designed, constructed, and maintained according to Audubon International’s precise planning standards and environmental disciplines.
Most recently Tetherow was honored by Golf Magazine as the #1 Best New Course You Can Play in The Country.
Located minutes from downtown Bend, Tetherow Golf Club is the centerpiece to Bend’s new golf resort community. The community meanders over 700 acres of stunning high desert terrain and includes 379 homesites, ranging in price from mid $300s to the mid-$700s with acreage of 1/3 acre to over an acre. In addition to custom home sites, Tetherow boasts a striking 18-hole course managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports and designed by award winning architect David McLay Kidd. The 18,000 square foot Tetherow Clubhouse features a well appointed golf shop, restaurant, members Grille and expansive patios with spectacular views of the golf course and surrounding Deschutes National Forest. Other amenities at Tetherow include a complete practice facility, practice putting greens and short game learning center. Tetherow is just minutes from the vibrant restaurants, cafes and culture of downtown Bend, and is situated in close vicinity to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, miles of hiking and biking trails, world class fly fishing and white water rafting on “the Deschutes”, and more. For more information on the Tetherow community, view www.tetherow.com or call toll free at: 866 -234-4848.
For more information on Tetherow Golf Club, email golf@tetherow.com, call: 541-388 CLUB (2582) or visit www.tetherow.com.
Tetherow Golf Club is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management. Prior to opening, OB Sports managed the construction, grow in and pre-marketing of the club. OB Sports is a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success who currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300.
Contact:
Kris Strauss (OB)
kstrauss@obsports.com
(480) 518-5003