BERNARDO HEIGHTS COUNTRY CLUB
THE EARLY YEARS
By Chuck Wallace
October 01, 2000
INTRODUCTION
On January 1, 1987 the members became owners of the golf course and clubhouse known as Bernardo Heights Country Club. With the passing of time I realized that records would be lost and memories become vague, so I set about attempting to chronicle the events leading up to the purchase, and the beginning of the Bernardo Heights Country Club as a private, member owned, equity club.
This document covers the period of time 1977 to early 1987 in Bernardo Heights Country Club's history. I have attempted to name persons playing leading roles in the events of Bernardo Heights Country Club in that period of time, but with recognition that there were dozens upon dozens of others who are not mentioned who also made significant contributions of time, money and efforts to the success of the venture. To those I may have missed naming, forgive me, and accept sincere thanks for your tireless efforts.
This paper is not a complete history of BHCC. History is still being formed and will continue to be formed as the evolutionary process of people and time have effect upon the Club. I hope that others will continue to document the continuing events and people of BHCC.
Chuck Wallace
Broadmoor Homes, a subsidiary of Genstar Development, Inc., purchased 1015 acres in 1977 for the sum of 17 million dollars from A VCO Community Developers, developers of Rancho Bernardo, and began construction of the Bernardo Heights project in 1978. At the time it was one of the largest earth moving projects. ever undertaken in San Diego County: From the beginning, the golf course :and clubhouse to be known as Bernardo Heights Country Club were to be the center attraction for development of the properties.
Genstar operated BHCC with a Board of Directors consisting of Frank Dembinsky, President of Genstar Properties, Inc., Robert McLeod, President, Genstar Southwest Development, M.R. (Mim) Scott; Vice President, LaDonna Monsees, Treasurer, all reporting to Walter Bannister, Genstar Executive Vice President, Real Estate U. S. A. & Canada .
Don Collett Associates was contracted by Genstar in March 1981 to develop, manage and coordinate all the activities associated with the construction and operation of the golf course and clubhouse. Don Collett was named President and Director of BHCC Operations by Genstar and remained in that position until April 1985. Ted Robinson, well known golf course architect, was contracted to design the golf course. Construction of the golf course began in April 1981 and officially opened for play July 1,1983.. Roger Gordon Associates of Irvine, Ca. was contracted to design and direct the installation of the golf course and clubhouse irrigation systems. Dale Naggle Associates, Inc. of La Jolla, Ca. was the architectural firm for the clubhouse. M. H. Golden Company of San Diego, Ca. was the General Contractor and job site director. The clubhouse ground breaking was on May 25th, 1983 and officially opened June 1984.
Genstar with Don Collett operating from a trailer on the clubhouse site opened a membership drive on February 1, 1983, seeking 100 Charter Members. The first ten memberships were reserved for Genstar executives. Following that, the first member accepted was Bob Skibinski (#11), closely followed by Hank Darmstandler (#12) and Ron Jackson (#13). Genstar enlisted these three members as a membership committee to interview applicants seeking a Charter Membership. By August 1, 1983 the goal of 100 Charter members .had been reached with other applications on hand. On this same date BHCC became a member of Southern California Golf Association.
The first formal organization of golfers occurred in July 1983 when a group of women golfers established a Steering Committee to organize and coordinate the activities of the women of the Club until a permanent Women's Association could be formed.
The Steering Committee consisted of Marie Astrologes, Treasurer, Vivian Sands, Secretary, with Jeanne Blake, Jeri Brooks, Beth Major, and Jeanne Spangler. as committee members. The first course rating for the women was obtained in August. 1983.
In conjunction with the Steering Committee, Marie Astrologes, with Dorothy Kalgaard assisting, organized women's bridge play on August 18,1983.
In a November, 1983 meeting the Women's Golf Association (WGA) members had the first election for officers of the Association. The elected officers were Nita Logan, President, Diana Huttar, Vice President, Vivian Sands, Secretary and Irene Boyd, Treasurer. Appointed to .the WGA was Vivian Wuerz - Tournaments, Evelyn Ekrom Handicaps, Betty Demirjian - Membership, Jeanne Blake - Rules, Jane Piraino Awards, Lois Novak - Publicity, Betts Schreyer - SDGA/WSCGA Representative, and Dorothy Kalgaard - Nine Hole Representative. In June 1986 the BHCC Women's Golf Association was accepted into the Southern California Women's Golf Association.
In October 1983 a group of men golfers, led by member John Logan, organized a Seniors Golf Association for those men over 55 years of age. This group held many events during the formative years of BHCC. .
In December 1984 the men golfers held elections and on December 11 announced officers for the first Men's Golf Association (MGA): Chuck Wallace - President,
Hershel Shepherd - Vice President, Greg Meeks - Treasurer, Bob Huttar - Secretary, Gene Craven - Tournament Chairman, Ward Wright - Handicap and Rules Chairman, Bill Wrigglesworth - Hospitality and Membership Chairman, Rudy Novak - Greens Chairman and John Logan - Seniors Chairman. .
In November 1985 Dan Egan pursued an opportunity and arranged for BHCC to become a member of the Golden Age Seniors organization, an organization of
Southern California clubs selected for home and away golf competition. The first qualifying round for BHCC golfers for a position on the BHCC Golden Age Seniors Golf Team was held January 2, 1985. Dan was elected Captain and Bob Thoren Co-Captain of the first BHCC Golden Age Seniors Team.
Genstar negotiated with the promoter of the LPGA Kyoceri Inamori Golf Classic for the tournaments of April 1986 and 1987 to be held at BHCC. Parking and control of admissions presented problems, but both tournaments attracted large crowds. The tournaments were played from the regular white tee markers. Patty Sheehan won the 1986 tournament with a final day score of 68. Ayako Okamato won the 1987 tournament with scores of 66-70-69-70. In the same tournament Betsy King played a neat 30 on the back nine (the present front nine).
Ad Hoc committee was formed in January 1985 for the purpose of gathering information with which the Club members could determine what actions should be taken for purchase of the Club. . The committee consisted of Chuck Wallace Chairman, Hank Darmstandler - Vice Chairman, with Ernie Craven, Dan Egan, Greg Meeks,and Hershel Shepherd as committee members. .
Discussions were held by the committee with Genstar executives M. R. Scott and Robert McLeod, but it was not until October 1985 that the committee received a letter from Robert B. McLeod, President of Genstar Southwest Development that when Genstar offered the Club for sale it would be first offered to the members. With this assurance in hand, the Chairman sent a letter to the Club members asking that the Ad Hoc Committee be dissolved and a permanent committee, to be known as the Steering Committee, be established.
The results of the voting by the membership for the Steering Committee placed Chuck Wallace as Chairman, Hank Darmstandler, Vice Chairman, with Dan Egan, Greg Meeks, John Piper, Hershel Shepherd and Mary Wrigglesworth as committee members. John Piper's experience as a real estate appraiser, and in particular, his knowledge of golf course financial operations and golf course properties values, would prove to be invaluable in negotiations for purchase of the Club. With the addition of attorney Charles Pinney of Pinney and Caldwell of San Diego and EI Centro, CA., to handle the legal affairs of the negotiations and purchase, the members negotiation team was complete. Thus began in earnest the planning and negotiations that would last 14 months,
In February 1986 Genstar negotiators, Robert MqLeod, President, Genstar Southwest Development, Inc., Mim Scott, Vice President, LaDonna Monsees, Treasurer, and attorney Alan R. Perry submitted a letter of intent to the Steering Committee offering to sell Bernardo Heights Country Club assets for $2,900,000.00 with $900.000.00 cash and the balance with 9.5% interest for ten years, with provisions that 100 resident memberships remain available during 1987 and 50 in 1988 for purchasers of residences in Bernardo Heights, .and that five memberships be allotted as Founding Members for Genstar executives at no fee. Genstar excluded from discussions 5.7 acres of land on Bernardo Heights Parkway planned for a swim and tennis facility.
The Steering Committee presented the proposal to the membership at a meeting on March 4, 1986 and recommended that the offer be rejected because the financial provisions would be too much for the membership to carry. The membership voted to reject the Genstar offer and instructed the Committee to continue negotiations.
After several months of negotiations and members meetings an agreement was reached for the membership to purchase the Club properties from Genstar for $1,950,000.00, payable all cash at the close of sale. The contract called for GenstaR to proVide $200,000.00 for a start-up operational fund, five Founding memberships for Genstar executives and 100 memberships reserved to sell to Bernardo Heights residents. The Steering Committee was given until September 15, 1986 by Genstar to acquire the approved cash funding. .
At a May 12, 1986 general membership meeting the Chairman of the Steering Committee presented Genstar's offer, and the news that the Steering Committee
had obtained from Southwest Bank of Rancho Bernardo a $1,250,000 loan commitment and a $200,000 revolving business line of credit. The Committee also presented a five year plan indicating that to support the loan there was the need to acquire 50 new equity members the first year and 30 new members in each subsequent four years.
The Committee recommended that the members accept Genstar's offer. After discussion, a ballot vote was taken and counted resulting in 142 votes for and 1 against. Genstar was advised of the acceptance of their offer and agreement was reached to proceed toward a December 31, 1986 escrow closure.
The Steering Committee submitted an offering circular on July 1, 1986 to the membership to sell Regular equity memberships in the new Bernardo Heights Golf and Country Club at a purchase price of four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) each to present members of BHCC holding Resident Family, Non-Resident Family, Individual and Corporate memberships. Also to sell new equity memberships at a purchase price commencing at eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000.00) each, with subsequent price adjustments in accordance with changing market value.
Response to the offering circular was proof positive that the members wished to own and operate their Club. By the middle of August, six weeks after the circular was mailed, 197 members of 217 eligible of the Genstar BHCC membership had submitted their applications and checks for $4,000.00. Within a few more weeks, a total of 222 members, including some new members acquired by Genstar, had submitted their applications and checks. With the excellent response to the Equity membership offering and the commitment of a loan from Southwest Bank, the funds for purchase of BHCC from Genstar were assured.
With sufficient funding, and having taken the necessary steps to establish as a corporation in the State of California, it became necessary to establish a Board of Directors for the new corporation and one which could carry the transition from a Genstar BHCC to a member owned BHCC. In August the potential equity members were asked to nominate by ballot what was to become the first Board of Directors of the members owned BHCC.
On August 20, 1986 the newly elected Board, as shown below, became effective and would officiate during the closing negotiations and escrow proceedings:
Officers
C. W. "Chuck" Wallace - President
H. M. Darmstandler - Vice President
John Piper - Chief Financial Officer
R. M. Huttar - Secretary
Committee Chairmen
Hank Darmstandler - Executive Committee
Warren Sands - House Committee
John Piper - Finance Committee
Hershel Shepherd - Audit Committee Howard Freyensee - Membership Committee Ward Wright - Golf Committee
Bob Huttar - Green Committee
Hershel Shepherd - Social Committee
Ed Briggs - Long Range Planning
A meeting was called of the general membership on September 26 to seek final approval of the purchase. Members voted at the meeting 132 to 1 in favor of the purchase terms. Officers of the Board of Directors and their attorney Chuck Pinney met with escrow officers on Tuesday, September 30th, 1986 signing papers to start the escrow process.
Howard Freyensee, Membership Chairman, immediately began actions to acquire new members. A subscription agreement was prepared offering an equity membership in the new Club for $18,000.00. Those making application would tender a . $1000.00 deposit, which would be held in trust with the remainder to be paid at the Club sales completion. By December 31, 1986, forty (40) applicants had submitted the $1,000.00 deposit.
The escrow closed and transfer of title took place December 31, 1986 at a total purchase price of $1,980,845.00, including licensing and escrow costs. Thus, on January 1, 1987 the members under the name of Bernardo Heights Golf and Country Club became the owners and operators of Bernardo Heights Country Club.
The Membership Chairman, Howard Freyensee, and his hard working committee had processed 103 applications for memberships from November 1, 1986 to February 16, 1987. The Regular membership fee was increased from $18,000.00 to $21,000.00 effective February 1, 1987 and to $25,000.00 effective February 2, 1987.
On February 25, 1987, a few days over seven (7) weeks after the members purchased the Club from Genstar, a check was delivered to Southwest Bank for $1,158,290.98 paying in full the loan granted for purchase of the Club. After paying off the loan, less than two months after the members purchased the Club, $691,887.00 remained in cash accounts.. . .
. . ***********and so it began!
SITE OF BERNARDO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY AND BERNARDO HEIGHTS GOLF CLUB (NOTE WATER TANK LANDMARK) APRIL 1978
EARTH MOVING UNDERWAY - BERNARDO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY
DECEMBER 1979
EARTH MOVING WORK EXPANDS FOR BERNARDO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY AND
EARTH MOVING BEGINS FOR BERNARDO HEIGHTS CC SITE - OCTOBER 1980
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF BERNARDO HEIGHTS AND BERNARDO HEIGHTS
COUNTY CLUB BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE - DECEMBER 1981
BERNARDO HEIGHTS COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN
AND THE GOLF COURSE IS TAKING SHAPE - MARCH 1984
THE BERNARDO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY AND THE BERNARDO HEIGHTS COUNTRY
CLUB AS A FINISHED PRODUCT - JANUARY 1999
DRIVING RANGE TEE AREA IN FOREGROUND LOOKING EAST.
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SHIPPED FROM CANADA BY GENSTAR FOR START
OF BERNARDO HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION.
#5 FAIRWAY LOOKING EAST TOWARD #4 GREEN.
#5 GREEN AREA LOOKING WEST TOWARD TEE.
#9 GREEN IN FOREGROUND LOOKING EAST ACROSS LAKE SITE.
#4 TEE LOOKING NORTH DOWN FAIRWAY.
CLUBHOUSE CONSTRUCTION. TEMPORARY CLUBHOUSE (A TRAILER)
LOCATED AT LEFT OF PHOTO.
FINALLY!!
