Bear Brook Golf Club's future uncertain

FREDON — Bear Brook Golf Course in Fredon is seeking new ownership due to financial difficulties at the club. "The acquisition of the club, the construction of the new clubhouse, which opened in 2007, and the downturn in the golf market both nationally and locally have all depleted the capital available to...operate the club," said Glenn Geiger, attorney for the owners, Gale & Kitson, Fredon Golf, LLC. The owners themselves could not be reached for comment. The owners have apparently expended all of club's available capital and can no longer afford to continue operations. Gale & Kitson are seeking a new owner who has the capital to operate the club and turn it around. "The club's operations require a subsidy and will continue to require a subsidy until a new owner with adequate capital can invest in marketing the club and improving the efficiency of its operations and can also benefit from improved economic conditions," said Geiger. The website for Bear Brook Golf Club is still up and has information about the course, memberships, events and real estate. When asked whether the club will open this season, Kitson & Partners Director of Operations Kyle Mooney, said "as far as I know, that decision has not yet been made." Mooney referred The Township Journal to Geiger, who also said that a decision regarding this season had not yet been made and pointed to the high taxes he said the club is burdened with. "While the extremely burdensome tax assessment is not the sole reason that the club has proven extremely difficult to sustain, and even more difficult to sell, it is a major contributing factor," said Geiger. "It's a beautiful course, very challenging and just needs a financial commitment from someone," said Head PGA Golf Professional Scott Matthews, who has worked at Bear Brook Golf Club for the past three years. Geiger said that Gale & Kitson's most recent serious efforts to sell the club were initiated last summer and have been continuing since then.