Anyone interested in buying one of the most historic and challenging golf courses in Northwest Pennsylvania? If so, an Erie area golf gourse is up for sale.
Millcreek Township — which has owned the 160-acre, 18-hole Erie Golf Club since 2009 — is accepting sealed bids through a Conshohocken-based golf broker, Golf Property Analysts. In December, Erie County Judge Marshall Piccinini approved the township’s petition to sell the course.
Township officials started sending bid packages Wednesday to interested parties.
“We have received numerous inquiries here at the township and I know Golf Property Analysts have received them as well,” said Jim Bock, a township supervisor. “We gave a tour of the course last week to one gentleman from out of town and he said he is definitely interested in placing a bid.”
The township’s asking price is $1.1 million, which is based on a recent appraisal done by Golf Property Analysts. Bids do not have to match or exceed the asking price, but Bock said township officials will have to discuss what happens if all of the bids are significantly lower.
The city of Erie owned the course for decades before selling it
Erie Golf Course, 6050 Old Zuck Road, was established in 1921 and designed by celebrated golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast. It was owned for decades by the city of Erie before the township purchased it.
A private business, 7637 Enterprises, currently operates the course under a five-year contract that expires at the end of the 2024 golf season. The township receives $37,000 annually as part of the deal, but expects to run a deficit of about $160,000 over the five years due to repair costs and other capital expenses.
Those interested in bidding on Erie Golf Course are encouraged to contact Larry Hirsh at larry@golfprop.com. Bids will be accepted until early or mid-July, Bock said.
Deed restrictions on three of the four properties that comprise Erie Golf Course require the land be used as a golf course. Proceeds from the sale must be allocated to the township’s parks and recreation department, Bock said.
“We’re discussing using the proceeds to expand the Millcreek Golf & Learning Center, 3100 W. 17th St., from six holes to nine,” Bock said.
Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.