Growing up, one of my father’s favorite expressions was “I never thought I’d see the day…” which would end with some observation about life, or about something my siblings or I had done. It was common around the house, and an expression I’ve started to use with some regularity.
But this news item probably ranks as one of the best “I never thought I’d see the day…” moments: A golf course going BACK into farmland.
We’ve written about the explosion in land prices, and you’ve probably experienced it first-hand. According to a news release by Murray Wise and Associates, a golf course in Mason County, Illinois, which goes up for auction on Feb. 21, may well see corn and soybeans instead of fairways.
“Crane Creek (golf course) has a loyal customer base of area golfers, but farmland is in high demand right now, and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone chose to convert the course back to agriculture. Before the golf course was built, the property had been used for a Christmas tree farm, and it includes 40 acres that are mostly tillable now. Another 61 acres of pasture and timber are already in the federal Conservation Reserve Program,” according to Murray Wise, CEO of the auction company.
Reverting back to farmland from a golf course is a huge undertaking, and it’s only speculation at this point. Even so, it points to the HUGE demand for farmland, and the price folks are willing to pay. Even if that means adding a few strokes to their score.
So how are land values impacting your operation?
Related Reading: Are good times here to stay?
