Suher told officials he plans to keep the site as a golf course, but that wasn't a condition of the sale, so he can use the property as he wishes.
Holyoke Country Club Pro Via Wightman gives a lesson during The Republican sponsored Women's Group Golf program in this May, 2011 file photo.HOLYOKE — Entertainment mogul Eric Suher is looking to add to his high-profile property holdings as the Holyoke Country Club agreed to sell the nine-hole golf course to Suher for $850,000, a club official said Thursday.
Suher’s purchase of the 109-acre facility on Country Club Road in the northern part of the city is sure to re-fan the flames of speculation about his long-term plans, given that he owns the Mountain Park outdoor entertainment venue nearby.
In his failed bid earlier this year to get approval from the city to build a parking lot adjacent to the Mountain Park venue, Suher said at public hearings a casino wasn’t part of his plans for that site. But speculation persists about the area possibly becoming a resort casino some day if the state legalizes casino gambling.
Wyckoff Country Club is nearby and has been targeted to house a casino by a group called Paper City Development if gaming is legalized.
Suher, who declined to comment, told officials with the member-owned club he plans to keep the site as a golf course, club President Thomas Taylor said. But that wasn’t a condition of the sale, meaning Suher could use the property as he wishes, he said.
“We approved his proposal. It is now in the stages of going forward, for $850,000,” Taylor said.
Taylor said a majority of the club’s 120 members participated in the vote to approve the sale to Suher. The vote wasn’t unanimous, but it was approved by a majority of those present, he said.
“That’s Eric’s intention, to keep it as a golf course,” Taylor said.
Holyoke Country Club consists of about 109 acres, with the golf course accounting for 46 acres, he said.
Suher, a Holyoke native, also owns Western Massachusetts entertainment staples Iron Horse Music Hall, Pearl Street nightclub and the Calvin Theatre, all in Northampton, as well as residential and commercial property here.
Suher bought the 60-acre Mountain Park in 2006 for $1.6 million. The former amusement park had been closed for 22 years.