golf club closes for business

By Joseph Marks

staff writer

Commercial developer Scott LaFavre announced Friday afternoon he had closed a deal to purchase the Albert Lea Golf Club. About an hour beforehand a locksmith changed locks at the club, which LaFavre said is now closed for business.

LaFavre, a Lakeville resident who owns the companies Eagles’ Rest Tree Farms and Equity Holdings, made his announcement at the golf course’s clubhouse. He said he plans to bulldoze the property and build a 120-lot high-end residential development called Eagles’ Rest.

He said he expects to begin construction within 30 days and hopes to complete construction on 30 lots and a 20-unit condominium by the end of the year. He said construction on the entire project should be completed within five years.

He said the development will include a children’s water park, tennis courts and other amenities.

LaFavre would not directly answer questions about the purchase price but said it was well over $1 million. The purchase price will become public information when the purchase is filed in the Freeborn County Courthouse. The first nine holes are in Albert Lea city limits. The back nine are under county jurisdiction.

LaFavre said final negotiations on the sale began at 9 a.m. Friday at Christian & Peterson PA law offices on Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea. A press conference was scheduled for 1 p.m. at the clubhouse but LaFavre did not arrive until shortly before 4 p.m.

Former owners Marlo and John Gillotti and John Clark also appeared at the clubhouse but left after a half-hour conference with LaFavre in a private room. They did not speak to club employees before leaving.

Marlo Gillotti said the owners received several offers for the club during their seven years of ownership but decided to sell now because it felt right.

&8220;This is a great town,&8221; he said as they set off for Des Moines.

The fourth former owner, Nils Norland, who was not present Friday, said in a telephone interview he decided to sell because club members &8220;were not willing to support&8221; the club.

&8220;We tried for six years,&8221; he said, &8220;but members constantly resisted any increase in membership fees. Mr. LaFavre came along and made an unsolicited offer and we decided to take it.&8221;

A group of about 10 former members began floating in and out of the clubhouse before noon waiting for news of the close and sharing memories. After several hours of waiting, they left, saying they were going to Green Lea for beers.

Club member Cal Johnson said he was disappointed the club would close but was glad he got in 27 holes with friends on Wednesday. Johnson said he came to the club last night and moved his golf cart to Green Lea Golf Course.

Club Business Manager James Stripe was on and off the phone most of the day taking calls from the law office negotiations about inventory and other matters. Course Superintendent Mike Timms walked out into the rain at one point during the long wait and joked, &8220;It’s a good day for a funeral.&8221;

LaFavre purchased the Wedge Nursery in February. He and his wife, Shari, graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1981.

Look for further coverage Sunday in the Albert Lea Tribune.

Contact Joseph Marks at joseph.marks@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3435.