Bill Neal (left) receives a hug from Rick Lucas PGA, during the Diversity Forum (Photo by Michael Cooper)
BY AAGD STAFF
January 24, 2020
“For those who were unable to participate in the Diversity Roundtable at the PGA Show, the hug pictured above is more than just a brotherly embrace. It is a perfect example of the ‘linking agent’ philosophy and strategy of our task force,” according to Michael Cooper, Chairman of the We Are Golf Diversity Task Force, the We Are Golf Diversity Initiative, and the individual who organized the forum to bring together golf industry professionals and business owners during the 67th PGA Merchandise Show & Convention in Orlando, Fla.
“It was just unbelievable, the support that came out in the room, said Bill Neal, sole owner of the Woodridge Golf Club in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. “It just came out, I did not prepare, I did not think about what I was going to say or anything. I stood up and told everyone in the room my name and where I was from. And I mean, as of right now I am the only sole-owner of the few black-owned golf course in the USA.”
The discussion followed the 3:30-5:30 Diversity panel session where nearly 150 people were in attendance. The gathering lasted until 6:30 onwards. Neal retired from General Electric in 2001 and purchased the financially distressed property from Orix Capital Markets LLC of Dallas in June 2013. The course had been closed since 2008. He serves as Owner and General Manager but has gone from employing 20 workers at the property to barely himself, and his son had to leave the course and take a regular job because of the dire financial situation.
“I said that, and told folks in the room that I been at this club since it was opened in 1995, and I was a member there, I invested there and things just did not go right, so everybody lost their money— but didn’t really go into all of that. What I told everybody was that I needed help. And, I said that if I did not get help, I am going to lose my course.”
“Woodridge is a beautiful course, features 6,830 yards of golf and everybody who comes just brags about how nice it is,” Neal told this publication in a telephone interview. “If I can just get 100 members, that membership money takes care of my finances for the year. Last year, I did not even get 30 members. To date, I only have 3 members— Yes, only 3 members. Even though there are 80 homes around the golf course, only 1 of my 3 members lives in a home that is actually on the course. I get no support from the homeowners.”
“Just within the last 3-years, things at the course have been going down, down, down,” said Neal. Because of the climate in West Virginia, the course is closed four months during the year. Depending on the weather March/April, the golfers will be able to come back and play.
“The course is in great shape, but the people who live around here are just not supporting the course. I am just doing the best that I can, trying to survive.”
In sharing his dilemma, there were numerous people who stood up and committed to helping Bill.
Maurice Allen, World Long Drive Champion (left) pledges his support for Bill Neal during the Diversity Forum (Photo by Michael Cooper)
“Maurice Allen, World Long Drive champ, immediately offered to partner with Neal to put on a first-class event at his facility,” said Michael Cooper. “Then, Allen challenged other golf industry leaders in the room to chime in. In seconds, Stephen Hamblin said count me in. Hamblin is the Executive Director for American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), the premier golf tournament org for youth. This all happened in a matter of minutes during the Diversity Roundtable at the PGA Show. Linking agents, connecting others for meaningful relationships. Please share this with others.”
Neal told this publication during a telephone interview today, “I have already formed a committee and we are going to meet and do some strategic planning. So, I am just trying to get through this year, 2020, because where I am at right now, the bank is on me. I went to a bankruptcy lawyer and put down a retainer. I am just trying to do what I can to get through another year and see what happens,” said Neal. “Now, with what has happened here, at this forum, maybe I will be able to just put a hold on this bankruptcy process.”
“I would be happy to talk with anybody who can help me in the finance world. My golf course is worth over $2 Million. I only owe $600,000 on it. Monthly I have to come up with $150k for the golf carts, everything else I can manage. $700k per month is what the course and the carts are costing me. The golf cart company is working with me on my payments. ”
“I am willing to meet with anyone who wants to help. There are people who want to buy it, but they want to steal it. In March I have taxes due, so I am in a situation there, too. So, I am trying to see what I can work out.”
To pledge your support or gain more information contact Bill Neal at 740-350-3516 or 304-489-1800.
