(As published in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)
HERCULES: MODERN MAN WITH A MISSION
The Greeks described the mythological “Hercules” as a man of prodigious size and strength and one of very great courage. The Greater Metropolitan Washington Area has its own “modern day Hercules”. Who is this local area giant who describes himself a very simple, unobtrusive man? He is Hercules O. Pitts, a local Developer and General Contractor, who has become the State of Maryland’s only African American 18-hole golf course owner. He adds his name as another of the very few minority golf course owners in the U.S.
Pitt’s name may not yet be a household word, but the future will tell his story. He says failure is not in his vocabulary. Even though he may not be an experienced golf course owner, he is more than a player. An Electrical Engineer by training, he has struggled through many business ventures and with attempted minority-ownership blocking. Over the years, he built himself up as a business developer, property Owner and general contractor and President of HOP & Associates in which he is still engaged. He managed to do that during the years while holding down a 25 year position with AT&T as a technical manager. He retired from AT&T in 1997. No doubt, he has taken on a “Herculean” challenge as the new owner of Lake Arbor Golf Course, a course set in an upscale housing, primarily “non-golfing’ community
The Lake Arbor Golf Course, a 6359 yard challenge, designed by Jack Nicklaus in the late 1960s, is located in the Mitchellville, Maryland area of Prince Georges County. Its location is just ten miles outside of Washington DC., which makes it convenient to the Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia communities. Prince Georges County is statistically referenced to be one of the wealthiest, minority counties in America. Pitts was disappointed in the fact that in such a large, wealthy county, there are no known minority, 18-hole golf course owners. He has become so exited about this new venture that he is interested in pursuing additional golf course opportunities.
In recent years, due to poor management, environmental factors, prejudice and community dissatisfaction, the golf course had experienced loss of players and membership and was rumored to be sold to another potential golf course organizations or to housing developers. Fortunately, for the community the one Developer turned out to be Hercules Pitts. Even knowing the condition of the course, he did not shrink from the monumental task of bringing this golf course back from the brink of destruction. Prior to settlement and before he took full ownership, all 18 greens and the two practice greens were chemically destroyed; course management equipment and golf carts were stolen. This was his welcome as the new owner.
When asked if it was always his dream to own a golf course, his response was, not necessarily. He went to the course on a day in November, 2004 to relax and take a golf lesson and was surprised to learn that the golf course was for sale. As a businessman, he viewed it as a business venture and an opportunity to bring (in time) a first-class golf course development and other social amenities to a growing residential community and Metropolitan area. He saw it as “a diamond in the rough” and a great opportunity to develop it to its full potential.” After some hard fought negotiations whereas the Sellers did not initially want to take his bid seriously, he purchased the golf course in June 2005.
Pitts’ management, in one year, has slowly begun to build back community relations and clientele, which had surely been affected by the prior negative conditions of the course and the attitudes of the prior ownership. Currently, his dual focus, on which he is giving special effort and dedication to: (a.) make the golf course more playable by continually up-grading it and its surrounding areas to the highest level; and (b) make some changes to the Clubhouse by expanding the grill menu and giving it a more 19th hole Sports Bar ambiance.
When asked what his immediate goals were for the course, his reply was “to stay on track and take one major step at a time. This course had three years worth of neglect. He considers ‘persistence’ to be his number one friend.
Many past rumors persisted that the golf course would be developed for more homes. Hercules stated very emphatically that, “We will never interrupt this golf course, it will always be an 18-hole golf course. If the community works with me, together we can make this the #1 golf course in the nation.” To learn more about Lake Arbor Golf Course, visit www.lakearborgc.com
Pitts’ long range vision is to expand the area into a “golf resort.” When asked if he had other business partners, his reply was, “I have only one business partner and “He” is a silent partner. Hercules is truly a “Man on a Mission.” Hercules is married to Rhonda and they have three children, Hercules, Jr., Brittany and Maya.
Update: On July 7, 2006 Hercules accomplished something very unique, almost one year to the date of his original purchase. He became the proud, first African American owner of his second golf course. He purchased Marlborough Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a shot makers 18-hole course on 123 acres.
In addition to the course, the acquisition included a well-designed 150-190 capacity banquet hall, with full service menu for luncheons, service for weddings and other events, a 75 capacity Bar and Food facility with a Patio which seats 70 comfortably. It is truly a class act
More information can be obtained on his Web site: www.marlboroughgolfclub.com
Lake Arbor Golf Club
1401 Golf Course Lane
Mitchellville 20721
Phone: (301) 336-7771
Marlborough Golf Club
4750 John Rodgers Blvd
Upper Marlborough, MD • 20772
(301) 952-1300
Related story: Lake Arbor Golf Course Sold
