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Musselman-Led Local Group Purchases Cardinal Club
October 27, 2003 | Men's Golf
Oct. 27, 2003
LOUISVILLE, KY - University of Louisville alumnus and former Cardinal golfer Tom Musselman and a group of local investors (Champion's Way LLC) have purchased the Cardinal Club located in Simpsonville, Ky. Musselman and partners acquired the approximately 220-acre complex from Arnold Palmer Golf Management LLC for an undisclosed amount. The purchase, financed by Fifth-Third Bank, is expected to close before the end of 2003.
Palmer Golf Management owns and operates more than 30 golf properties in the United States and Europe and recently decided to find a new owner for the Cardinal Club, one of its five University Club facilities. Palmer Golf has operated the course since its opening in October 2001.
Musselman and his partners are expected to make major capital improvements to the course and facility.
"We are thrilled to be able to keep the Cardinal Club in the U of L family," said Musselman, who lettered in golf for U of L from 1955-59 and is a member of the school's athletic hall of fame. "In two years of operations, the facility has received rave reviews from members and guests alike. It has proven to be a success. My partners and I are in a position to take steps to turn an already good club into a great one."
"I'm very glad that this wonderful facility will stay within the Cardinal family," said U of L Director of Athletics Tom Jurich. "Tom has taken an active role with the Cardinal Club since its inception. He's been an active supporter of our golf program and has always kept the university close to his heart."
Home to the U of L men's and women's golf teams, the Cardinal Club partners with the University through a licensing agreement which will allow both teams to continue honing their skills at the club. Also in the agreement, U of L will receive six complimentary tournaments at the course as well as an unspecified number of complimentary memberships for its administration.
"It's a treat to have such talented and enthusiastic young people around the club who dedicate themselves to the sport," said Musselman. "That is part of the environment we want to sell about the Cardinal Club. It is a place for people who love the game of golf."
"Tom Musselman has been a friend to the University of Louisville, and we look forward to his involvement with the Cardinal Club," said U of L President Dr. James Ramsey. "We're particularly pleased that the University of Louisville's golf teams - as well as many of our alumni and friends - will continue to call the Cardinal Club home."
Along with a championship course that spans almost 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the Cardinal Club features full-service food and beverage service, a 20-acre practice facility featuring three chipping greens, two putting greens and a two-tiered driving range, banquet and meeting facilities and pro shop. Five different levels of tees provide a fair and enjoyable round for players of all skill levels and are one of the club's most admired characteristics.
"It goes without saying that the course is one of the finest in the area, but the staff is truly the number one asset of Cardinal Club," said Musselman. "We are going to renew our efforts to get our people out in the Louisville community talking about our venue and creating additional interest in the facility."
The Cardinal Club currently employs 50 full and part-time workers including General Manager John Sobecki and Director of Golf Instruction Ted Schulz, a former touring PGA professional and U of L alum.
As of October 1, 2003, the Cardinal Club boasted a membership list of 250 local members, 79 corporate members and 48 U of L faculty and staff members. The 377 area members are joined by a list of 248 regional and national members. In its two years of existence, the Cardinal Club has played host to an annual average of 24,000 rounds.
