By Michael Neibauer – Managing Editor, Washington Business Journal
Jun 20, 2023
Golf is set to make a comeback in Loudoun’s Beacon Hill community after nearly two decades of absence. Haymarket’s Resort Development Partners (RDP) has reached a definitive agreement with the Beacon Hill Community Association to revive the golf course. Originally known as the Golf Club of Virginia when it first opened near Leesburg in 2001, the course will reopen in 2024 as “The Preserve at Beacon Hill.” The course has remained closed since 2006.
Frank Denniston, RDP’s co-founder and managing partner, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating that they are ready to transform the property into an exceptional golf experience that matches the beauty and prestige of the community. However, specific terms of the agreement and RDP’s plans for the course, amenities, and membership offerings will not be publicly disclosed until mid-August.
The Washington Business Journal previously reported that RDP would ground lease the 330-acre property. The initial phase of the project involves converting the existing 27-hole course into an 18-hole championship design, while a later phase will see the addition of a nine-hole family course. Additionally, RDP plans to construct a new clubhouse that will include full-service dining and a golf game improvement center. A source familiar with the deal indicates that these plans remain unchanged.
Aside from golf-related developments, RDP will also make a substantial investment in non-golf amenities, which will be utilized at the discretion of the Beacon Hill community. Furthermore, every homeowner in Beacon Hill will receive a complimentary two-year social membership to the club upon its opening.
The Beacon Hill residents have consistently voted in favor of bringing golf back to their community, with the most recent vote tallying 148 in favor and 46 against. Sid Rudolph, BHCA president, acknowledged the residents’ commitment, support, and participation, emphasizing that this opportunity allows them to fulfill the original vision of Beacon Hill that was established over twenty years ago.
As of late June 2022, an RDP affiliate was offering a limited number of founding and lifetime memberships for the new club. These memberships were preliminarily priced between $50,000 and $250,000, aiming to build an investor pool. Traditional club memberships will also be available to both Beacon Hill residents and nonresidents, with a target initiation fee of $25,000.
RDP is known for its expertise in re-conceptualizing, transforming, and rebranding resorts, private clubs, and prominent communities across the United States. Some of their notable projects include Timacuan Golf Club in Lake Mary, Florida; Cat Island Club in Beaufort, South Carolina; Pine Island Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Hidden Valley Country Club in Salem, Virginia. Beacon Hill is listed in RDP’s portfolio on their website, although access to the specific details is currently protected.
The Beacon Hill community is situated just northwest of Leesburg, located on the north side of Route 7, east of Route 9. The community was established in the mid-1990s, carved out of the 2,000-acre agricultural estate owned by 1950s radio and TV legend Arthur Godfrey. The original Golf Club of Virginia opened on the property in 2001 but faced financial difficulties and closed its doors five years later under new ownership. Various challenges, including a Ponzi scheme and unsuccessful negotiations with potential operators, hindered previous attempts to revive golf in Beacon Hill. In 2014, the community acquired the club for a nominal fee of $1, plus the payment of back taxes.
Currently, a single-family home spanning 8,300 square feet on Needles Court in Beacon Hill is listed for sale at $1.7 million.