by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The new management company of Mill Cove Golf Course in Arlington is Philadelphia-based G.F. Management, which took over operations for T.C. Newman effective Tuesday morning.
According to the company’s Web site, G.F. Management is primarily involved in the hospitality industry, acquisitions and corporate evaluations. It was founded in 1988, its chairman is Ira Lubert and the company is associated with Hilton, Marriott, Radisson and other hotels.
John Mousley is managing the course on behalf of G.F. Management. He said Mill Cove is one of 6-8 golf courses in the company portfolio.
“We plan to go forward as a golf course,” said Mousley. “We want to restore it to a condition that does justice to the layout. It’s a great golf course and we want to capture a good portion of the market.”
Officially, ownership of the course is in limbo. Technically, the course is owned by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. Newman had been operating the course since February 2001 under a 20-year lease that had two, five-year options. However, Newman has been struggling financially and eventually filed bankruptcy in local federal court.
Sunday, Newman left employees and members a letter explaining the situation and that Silver Point Capital — which is in Greenwich, Conn. — was taking over the course. Silver Point Capital then hired G.F. Management to oversee operations until the courts rule on who will take over the lease on a more permanent basis.
Mousley said he and the company’s controller are in the process of meeting with employees on an individual basis to determine who will remain with the course. Mousley said the superintendent and his staff will stay on.
“We want to hit the ground running,” he said. “We will see who wants to stay and who is comfortable with the situation. There is not a specific plan or strategy right now. We will likely keep a majority of the employees unless issues arise.”
Mousley said one of the first objectives is to make Mill Cove is one of the first choices when golfers think of a public course.
“We want to improve customer service and make Mill Cove a golf destination,” said Mousley, who has been with G.F. Management for seven years. “We are going to put budgets together and generate volume and foot traffic. There are a lot of good fundamentals to work with.”
Mousley said Newman will not have a role under the new management.
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