Grassy Creek Golf Course, a cornerstone of the Spruce Pine community, has once again changed hands. In the summer of 2022, the Waterfront Group, a Cornelius, NC-based company, acquired the property for $1,125,000 with a stipulation in the deed that mandated its operation as a golf course for a minimum of five years.
The latest buyers, Derek and Erin Buchanan, hail from Avery County and currently reside in Spear, a mere 10-minute drive from the golf course. The Buchanan family, including their children Mica, 11, and Stone, 15, have deep roots in the area. The couple manages several companies, including Wheels Contracting and Elevate Land Group.
Derek Buchanan shared their excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing its significance to both their family and the broader community.
“The golf course is important and we never want it to be anything other than a golf course. Our full intention is to make it the best it can possibly be. We want it to be there for the public as we know that it’s a huge staple of Spruce Pine and the community,” he said.
The Buchanans have ambitious plans for the golf course, including comprehensive improvements to bolster its appeal and functionality. They intend to remodel the clubhouse, upgrade the drainage system, install new irrigation pumps, and replace paths, among other enhancements. Furthermore, recognizing the acute need for residential housing in the area, they want to develop approximately 20 lots into either course-frontage or wooded homes.
“People need homes to buy,” Buchanan said. “We’re planning to break ground next month.”
Derek Buchanan highlighted the nature of this endeavor as a personal passion project. With the Buchanan’s background in the construction industry, the couple is uniquely positioned to oversee much of the renovation work internally.