March 20, 2016 – The 90-year-old private Galion Country Club was sold by auction Saturday afternoon for $700,000 to a group represented by New Albany attorney John Gleason.
Gleason said it was his first course,
‘Our goal is to make it successful,’ he said following the auction.
The auction was for the whole 143 acre property, which includes a 18 hole golf course, a driving range, golf shop and club house, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, swimming pool and pool house.
The deal calls for the course to remain as a golf course for three years.
The course is private, but speculation is that the club would become public.
However, the liquor license can’t currently be transferred to a public course, which may slow the transition.
The sale is slated to close in 30 days and Gleason said his group has no immediate plans on the public vs. private question.
‘We still have to look at a lot of things.’ he said. ‘No immediate decision has been made.’
Club officials said they were pleased with the price.
‘We’re pretty happy with it.’ Galion Country Club Board President Jon Scohy said.
‘It went well,’ Golf Course Superintendent Jimmy Benton said.
‘It was right where we were hoping for,’ said club member Craig Miley, who served as the auctioneer.
The club originally started in 1926 with 110 members who were mostly professional men and merchants from Galion. The golf course was also used by Galion High School’s boys and girls golf teams.
The club currently has about 85 members.
