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Country Club Eyes Merger WithW&L
Golf Course Expansion Would Start Next Year
Members of the Lexington Golf & Country Club are currently considering entering into a partnership with Washington and Lee University, which would expand the club’s course to allow W&L competitions to be held there.
If approved, according to a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, W&L would make improvements to the county club’s existing golf course to bring it up to Division III requirements.
In return, according to the MOU, “W&L will have priority use of the golf facilities during two 3-day Division III golf tournaments annually,” and “W&L will have priority rights to the golf facilities and event spaces during a reasonable number of specific dates and times to be determined, including during W&L Alumni Weekend, Young Alumni Weekend, and Parent’s Weekend.”
On April 14, the country club’s board unanimously voted in favor of the agreement, passing it on to members, who will have the final say on whether or not it is approved. Members will have until May 21 to cast their votes.
Neal Lineberry, president of the board, said that it has “heard and addressed comments and questions” from members.
In addition to work on the golf course, the MOU explains that W&L will “contribute cash and its requirement or assumption of the club’s loan with Bank of Botetourt,” and “… is prepared to provide some financial support for the reasonable and necessary improvements of the pool.” It also says that “the Board believes that as a result of a variety of factors, the ability of the club to continue to provide social and recreational benefits for its members is doubtful.”
The document cites W&L’s support in the past, saying, “Washington and Lee has provided considerable support to the club over the past five years, without which the club would have been challenged to have maintained services.”
According to a questionand- answer memorandum sent out to club members, “Washington and Lee’s generous and increasing financial support has significantly improved the condition of the golf course, elevating play to its highest level in recent years. A future without W&L would compromise the quality of the course and pose insurmountable financial challenges in the near term.”
The MOU also details a new organization, NewCo, which will operate the renovated golf course, overseen by a seven-member board, four of whom will be appointed by W&L, three by the club.
NewCo will also elect 10 members of an 11-member board — the 11th member appointed by W&L — to advise the independent management company that will manage day-to day operations.
Dues for most club members will decrease during the renovation, then increase for the three to five years following.
The course renovations are currently expected to begin in January of 2025 and end in May of 2026. The golf course would be closed during that time, and play may be “disrupted by renovation preparation” during the fourth quarter of this year as well.
The management firm is arranging for reciprocal arrangements at several courses within a one-hour drive for members to use during the renovations.
