Springfield Golf |amp| Country Club thriving in north-side location

When representatives from Lindsey Management Co. Inc., one of the largest multi-family housing property management firms in Arkansas, decided to open a new golf course community in Springfield, many people assumed the new development would be located on the south side of town.

LMC representatives, however, had a different idea. After examining several potential sites, they decided to locate the new development in north Springfield near the intersection of Highway 65 and Interstate 44.

"We choose this area because we felt like the north side's potential hadn't been tapped into yet," said Sherry Payton, community director. "We also felt like Springfield itself had a lot of potential. What we're doing is new to this market. We're the first golf course apartment community in Springfield."

The development's 18-hole golf course and clubhouse Springfield Golf & Country Club opened for business in February 2001. Two months later, LMC opened 228 of the 456 apartment units at The Greens of Springfield, which comprised the first phase of the development. The Greens, which is still under construction, will be open in three phases. Once completed, it will contain 900 one- and two-bedroom apartments and fully furnished executive suites.

According to Payton, included in residents' rent is access to amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, table tennis and billiards, a whirlpool and sauna, tanning beds, a business center, a swimming pool and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

"A lot of things are included in the rent, which substantially reduces residents' out-of-pocket expense," said Payton. "Not only do our residents have access to the golf course, clubhouse and other amenities, we offer free cable TV. Each unit also has a full-size washer and dryer."

One of the biggest perks for residents, however, involves special golf privileges. Each resident gets an affiliate membership to Springfield Golf & Country Club. Under the affiliate membership, residents can play the course for 50 percent of the members' guest rate.

Play on the course is unlimited Monday through Friday, but tee times on weekends and holidays are subject to availability.

Residents also can purchase an affiliate-plus membership, which costs $125 per month. This entitles them to full member privileges at Springfield Golf & Country Club, including unlimited golf any day, advance tee time availability, golf cart and range privileges and access to play on 18 LMC courses located in a six-state area.

According to Payton, leasing at The Greens has been brisk. So has construction at the development, and another 228 apartments in phase one are slated to open by September.

Springfield Golf & Country Club also has attracted many members in a short period of time. According to Andy Lambel, PGA professional and general manager of Springfield Golf & Country Club, the club has sold more than 500 of its 525 memberships since it opened seven months ago.

The 6,826-yard, 18-hole championship course features Bermuda grass fairways and bentgrass greens.

Water comes into play on four holes, and the course's hilly terrain can create some blind shots.

"This is really a challenging course," said Lambel. "There's still some work to be done, of course, but it's already exceeded our expectations. We have an extensive sprinkler system out here, which has really helped us. I can't believe the course is in this good of shape this soon."