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Windy Hill sold to DePauw alum; to become Tiger Pointe CC

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Windy Hill Country Club in Greencastle is getting new ownership, a new name and a new lease on life.

DePauw University alumnus Lee Tenzer, who previously has had a hand in the revitalization of downtown Greencastle, is purchasing Windy Hill through his Tenzer Family Office.

Windy Hill Country Club on U.S. 231 north of Greencastle. Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

"Bringing new life and the new name of Tiger Pointe Country Club to the golf course" is the next step for Tenzer in giving back to the city.

Windy Hill was begun in 1955 but has struggled financially in recent years. Its board recently met and accepted a proposal from Tenzer and both have signed a letter of intent regarding the sale of the property along the east side of on U.S. 231, just north of Greencastle.

"Facing financial strains and a need for improvements," Windy Hill was "in a very tough spot," said Vince Lazar, head golf coach at DePauw who will serve as general manager and director of golf at Tiger Pointe. "Lee Tenzer's love of the college and community has preserved this asset, which we are terrifically grateful for."

The purchase of Windy Hill is the latest in a series of investments, including several storefronts, Tenzer has made in Greencastle, which has seen a revitalization in its downtown since the city received a Stellar Communities grant from the state in 2011.

Lee Tenzer

"A community is as strong as the opportunities it offers its citizens," Tenzer noted. "Losing the golf course that has served this region for more than 60 years was something I did not want to see happen, as it is an important asset. I am proud and pleased to be a part of assuring that Tiger Pointe continues to serve the citizens, students, and visitors and at a higher level."

Tenzer has committed to creating a new and successful atmosphere at Tiger Pointe by guaranteeing to keep the course open for three years.

Lazar, who will have an interim title until the deal closes, is already working with the existing board to ensure a smooth transition. He has hired expert greens superintendent James Brown, formerly of Purgatory Golf Course in Noblesville, who has already begun his work at Tiger Pointe. Shaun Guerrero, assistant superintendent, has been retained.

Lazar said he will hire a head professional as soon as possible.

Positive changes will come with the transaction, Tenzer said. Tiger Pointe Country Club will become semi private, while maintaining a private club atmosphere. Member dues will decrease for 2019, and corporate memberships will be available, while special benefits will be given to 2018 members.

The clubhouse has been inspected and a decision will soon be made whether to remodel or rebuild.

Members and others will be able to make an impact toward improvements with Tenzer by purchasing a Founders Club membership.

A $5,000 investment in Tiger Pointe Country Club will provide members:

-- One percent of profits (annually after the first anniversary of operations) until membership fee of $5,000 is returned (ceasing thereafter).

-- An option to participate on the Tiger Pointe Advisory Board.

-- An invitation to the annual founders dinner.

-- Preferential tee times.

-- Name on the founders plaque.

-- Annual $100 reduction on any level of membership dues.

-- Exemption from any assessments.

-- Fifty percent reduction on guest greens fees for up to three guests golfing with you.

-- Ten percent reduction on pro shop purchases.

-- Complimentary dual membership with Crawfordsville Country Club.

-- For current Windy Hill owners: Every WHCC share means a $100 deduction in $5,000 fee.

-- Knowledge that your $5,000 will be used to fix and improve club facilities and the course.

The nine-hole golf course serves the local community and has been home to DePauw golf teams, whose alumni include Dan Quayle '69, the 44th vice president of the United States; NBC golf analyst Mark Rolfing '71; and Fox News anchor Bret Baier '92.

"Windy Hill was always a big advantage for the DePauw golf team," Quayle said, calling the WHCC sale news, "A big win all the way."

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  • What happens after year 3 ??

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Thu, Apr 5, 2018, at 9:12 AM

  • why don't we just sell the whole town to DePauw and it's grads? Seems like that's the way we're going.

    -- Posted by hometownboy on Thu, Apr 5, 2018, at 2:39 PM

  • I guess we should be "grateful" that depauw is raising the town from dead to alive. New restaurants geared towards the elite and only those that can afford their menu items with meals you cant pronounce sometimes. Give me a mom and pop restaurant anyday. Yet Greencastle will never be a Bloomington..carmel..lafayette or even terre haute. Just sayin

    -- Posted by canttakeitanymore on Fri, Apr 6, 2018, at 8:00 AM

  • DePauw has not taken over our town. Without DePauw where would we be? Empty storefronts, is that what we want? They are bringing money back into our town. Also step back and look at what our LOCALS are doing for Greencastle by the First Friday events. Thank you DePauw for caring.

    -- Posted by Nit on Fri, Apr 6, 2018, at 8:09 PM

  • Before you yap again, talk to me when you have been here SIXTY years. Your twenty doesn't compare to the changes i've seen. So are you saying Rockville and Brazil wont stand the test of time? They seemn to be doing well.

    -- Posted by canttakeitanymore on Sat, Apr 7, 2018, at 10:14 AM

  • dirty politics... You've been in greencastle for 60 years and you still think like the day you came to town.

    You haven't matured or progressed in your thinking since Eisenhower was in office. THAT is something you should be embarrassed about.

    Your post is a big reason why people leave greencastle. Anything that's not like you or fits into your little view on how things should be, is a bad thing. People don't like to be around that kind of jerkish behavior.

    DePauw has been in this town longer than you've been alive. When DePauw came to Greencastle, Martin Van Buren was president and Abe Lincoln was still 25 years away from taking office.

    I think they've got a bigger stake in this town than you.

    If you don't like a restaurant... don't go to it. But don't be a jerk because other people might want to go to it. And there are going to be things sold in this country that you can't afford. Does that bother you that much that you would be angry about it?

    Does everything has to be done so you are happy?

    Have you considered the real possibility that there are people in Greencastle who want to go out to dinner and be assured someone like you ISN'T there?

    You are angry with change?? Where did you get the idea that you were guaranteed a lifetime of a city never changing??

    It's time for you to change before it's too late..

    -- Posted by conffool on Sun, Apr 8, 2018, at 10:01 PM

  • Dirtypolitics - apparently you didnt get the memo. You aren't allowed to be critical of DePauw. They are the masters of the town, make no mistake about it. They control the City Council and most other agents of authority in town.

    In my 20+ years, I have seen lots of changes in Greencastle. Some good, some bad. But the one thing that has stayed constant is the power the university wields.

    Perhaps the sanctimonious posters on here who can't cut an old-timer some slack to mourn the loss of the town he loves should consider that the university is a tax-exempt institution. They pay no taxes on all of the property they own. How is that contributing to the town? They gorge themselves as they will, buying property as readily as they can and expect praise for the crumbs they throw to the town.

    The revitalization of Greencastle has little to do with DePauw. A lot of it was grant money (tax money redistributed), and what private dollars were involved were not given out of charity, but on a business decision.

    In fact, I could make the case that Greencastle would actually be better off without DePauw.

    -- Posted by AverageWhiteGuy on Mon, Apr 9, 2018, at 12:58 PM
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