Sycamore Creek’s 100 acres sit within a part of the county that’s eyed for spillover growth from western Henrico.
Despite rumors circulating locally in recent months that it was headed toward potential redevelopment, Sycamore Creek Golf Course isn’t going anywhere, at least not anytime soon.
But the owners of the daily fee course in Goochland, just west of Short Pump, have been in discussions with local developer Markel | Eagle Partners about its long-term future.
Ricky Core, president and principal at Markel | Eagle, confirmed the ongoing conversations, while emphasizing that the talks are preliminary and that Sycamore Creek continues to operate as usual.
“We’re starting to explore what could be the future of Sycamore Creek,” Core told BizSense in recent weeks. “There are no plans to do anything immediately and the course remains open for business. We’re working with current ownership to explore all options.”
Ricky Core
Core said Markel | Eagle has not purchased the 100-acre course, nor is it currently under contract to buy the property from owners Robert Pratt and John Richi, who opened Sycamore Creek 30 years ago.
Core said the group has had what he described as a “pre-application meeting” with Goochland planning staff “just to understand what can be done long-term with Sycamore Creek.”
He said the discussions are particularly needed in light of last year’s nixing of the controversial Centerville Small Area Plan, a draft land-use plan that was intended to guide growth and development specifically in the Centerville area in the eastern part of the county that includes Sycamore Creek.
Core also referenced Manakin Towne, a proposed $100 million project on 24 acres surrounding Sycamore Creek that would be the first mixed-use development in the county. Despite some initial approvals years ago, that project has been on hold because the area that would comprise Manakin Towne also sits within the Centerville area that was subject to the small area plan that was killed last year by county supervisors.
“A lot of this area was covered in the small area plan. Since that was not approved, we’re evaluating what the possibilities are,” Core said. “We have an agreement with the ownership to work on the plan. It’s really understanding if there are going to be any changes out there and how to fit in whatever changes there may need to be at Sycamore long-term.”
The Centerville Small Area Plan’s boundaries conmprised a portion of eastern Goochland County adjacent to the Short Pump area of Henrico County. (Courtesy Goochland County)
Markel | Eagle is known for large-scale residential developments, as well as mixed-use projects such as the nearby GreenGate neighborhood and West Broad Village.
Core said the Markel | Eagle is particularly interested in what sort of residential components could be developed on or around parts of Sycamore Creek.
“There’s a lot of land out there. The opportunities are endless,” Core said. “My belief is that the future of that area will include a variety of housing, the community uses that are already planned for Mankakin Town, plus some continued open space and recreational use, whether that’s golf or other uses.”
Core said that should the planning process continue as it relates to Sycamore Creek, the group’s next step would be to schedule public meetings.
Among those keeping an eye on the future of Sycamore Creek is John Jay Schwartz, a longtime local commercial real estate broker.
His firm, Have Site Will Travel, is marketing for sale a large plot of land across the road that for several years had been floated for a project called Manakin Crossing.
The land, owned by a group led by Harry Bawa, is now up for sale for $3.99 million, Schwartz said.
Schwartz said it’s no surprise that Sycamore Creek’s land is being thought of as more than just a golf course in the future.
“It’s a great golf course, don’t get me wrong,” Schwartz said. “But that whole area is hot. It’s prime for a major development that ties into a golf course with a big residential impact. It has a lot of potential when you have a site that big.”
I’m OK with redevelopment around here, just please don’t ruin anymore golf courses. It could actually be pretty cool if you did a town development surrounding the course. Have some rooftop vibes for people who want to chill and just watch people play golf. Could be a pretty cool and relaxing place if they do it right. And yes, make it friendly for golf carts, bikes, and pedestrians.
Their best return for the dollar would be to put some money into the golf course and improve quality. It is a good track but could use some TLC. Best to the owners.