Situated within fast-growing Magnolia Green community outside Richmond, VA
(MOSELEY, VA) – Westham Golf Club – owned by iStar Financial and managed by Billy Casper Golf – has started construction of its second nine holes to complete the 18-hole Nicklaus Design course in Moseley, VA, just southwest of downtown Richmond in Chesterfield County.
Westham is the only golf course in greater Richmond by the firm founded by golf legend and renowned designer Jack Nicklaus. The new holes, crafted by Nicklaus Design in association with architect Tom Clark, will seamlessly meld with the existing nine that feature wide, undulating Bermuda-grass fairways, vintage scruffy-edged bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes.
Nine holes opened to public play and critical acclaim in 2010, and the additional nine, along with a first-class practice facility, are scheduled to open in spring 2015. A new clubhouse is anticipated to open in late 2016.
Nicklaus Design boasts more than 380 courses open for play in 36 countries and 39 states. It creates award-winning layouts which are enjoyable for all levels of play and enhance the natural environment. Construction will be performed by Sanders Golf, known for its work at Jack Nicklaus-designed Valhalla, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Pinehurst No. 2 and other famous courses.
Westham is the centerpiece of Magnolia Green, the master-planned community ranked No. 1 regionally by Integra Residential Report for new single-family home closings. iStar Financial assumed ownership of the property in 2009, completed the first nine holes and continues to commit substantial resources to the entire Magnolia Green community.
“The current nine holes at Westham have received rave reviews from media, loyal daily-fee golfers, and Magnolia Green residents,” says Tom Page, Vice President of iStar Financial. “The second nine will bring additional harmony and balance to the routing and golfer experience, and we are excited to team with Nicklaus Design and Sanders Golf to complete this world-class course.”
Hole No. 2 at Westham, a mid-length par 4, has quickly established itself as a signature hole. Beyond the receptive landing area off the tee, a nerve-jangling, downhill second shot into a heavily protected green that slopes from back to front grabs the attention of all golfers. When all 18 holes are open, it will be re-routed as No. 18, making for a spectacular finish.
Under the eco-friendly stewardship of Billy Casper Golf, the course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Abundant wildlife and fully restored streams lined with native shrubs and grasses create a natural environment.
Magnolia Green is a vibrant, resort-style, family oriented development approved for 3,550 homes, 200 acres of commercial, an on-city elementary school and a 28-acre county park. The master-planned community offers a variety of housing options for first-time home-buyers, families with children of all ages, empty-nesters, single families and active adults.
The community offers product from regional builders Craftmaster Homes, Eastwood Homes, HH Hunt Homes and Ryan Homes. A new section of custom homes, including fully-decorated models, in Magnolia Green’s Veranda Oaks neighborhood features 37 lots and seven homebuilders, and will be showcased May 1-18 at the 2014 Richmond Homearama event at Magnolia Green. A new townhome neighborhood is currently under construction by HH Hunt Homes.
Exceptional schools helped Chesterfield County rank as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People” by America’s Promise Alliance, and Magnolia Green is currently assigned to the Cosby High School cluster, one of the finest in the country.
As part of Magnolia Green’s active, healthy lifestyle theme, Arbor Walk opened in 2012. It contains a junior Olympic pool with a children’s play area, a multi-purpose sports court and walking trails throughout the community. Tennis courts, playing fields, parks, playgrounds and other amenities are planned, along with commercial and retail additions, as the community continues to develop.
Magnolia Green will also be home to a county elementary school, along with a new county park. In addition, approximately 25 percent of the development is allotted for open space, including a major portion of Blackman Creek that traverses Magnolia Green’s 1,896 acres.
Westham and Magnolia Green are located on the north side of Hull Street Road (US-360 W), 6.2 miles west of VA-288.
For more information: Westham Golf Club, 804.639.5701, www.westhamgolfclub.com; Magnolia Green, 804.639.9954, www.magnoliagreen.com.
About iStar Financial
iStar Financial, the owner of both Magnolia Green and Westham Golf Club, is one of the nation’s largest investors in luxury condominium, multifamily and master-planned residential developments throughout the United States. We believe that great ideas, developed by great people, generate great returns. Our portfolio has included interests in over 18,000 condominium units in the nation’s top markets and more than 65,000 acres in master-planned communities having the potential for an estimated 50,000 single family and multifamily units. The Company’s unique, fully-integrated development, finance and investment platform extends from property acquisition, entitlement, development and construction, through financing, asset, property and portfolio management.
iStar Financial, focused on the real estate industry, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “STAR.” Additional information on iStar Financial is available on the Company’s website at www.istarfinancial.com.
About Billy Casper Golf
Founded more than 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, the company is the largest owner-operator of golf courses, country clubs and resorts in the U.S. with more than 150 properties in 28 states. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia with regional offices across America, Billy Casper Golf directs all aspects of course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food-and-beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.
Billy Casper Golf divisions:
• Buffalo Communications is the leading global golf-lifestyle public relations, branding, marketing-communications and creative services firm representing top brands in and related to golf.
• Buffalo Turf & Landscape Company provides golf course maintenance-only programs with a new fee-for-service structure that allows property owners unfettered visibility into actual activities and costs.
• Women on Course is the nation’s premier golf-networking organization, further solidifying Billy Casper Golf’s commitment to grow participation in the golf lifestyle.
More information: www.billycaspergolf.com, 703.761.1444.
Contact:
Tommy Glasgow
Billy Casper Golf / Buffalo Communications
703.891.3348
tglasgow@buffalocommunications.com
