In the four years since being bought out of Bear Mountain Ranch, Barth had expanded Rock Island to 18 holes, increased rounds at Alta Lake and had now taken ownership of one of the state’s most acclaimed destination tracks.
Still, though, the loss of Bear Mountain Ranch — a course he had himself designed, and his family had built — ached. When contacted last October by his former business partner, Jerry Schofield, about re-purchasing the course, Barth’s interest was more than piqued.
The financial specifics have not been revealed, but much of the investment in Bear Mountain Ranch was in the surrounding real estate, with the housing recession no doubt affecting Schofield’s bottom line. However, after more than six months of careful research, planning and negotiation, the chance to regain Bear Mountain Ranch was one Barth couldn’t refuse.
Together with the Andersons, the same couple who joined him in the acquisition of Desert Canyon, Barth purchased a 50-percent share of the course he had once built, signing the final paperwork in May (the Andersons owning the other 50 percent). For Barth, it was like welcoming back a member of his family.
“I was just thrilled to get it back,” he says.
Barth has plans for all four courses — Alta Lake, Rock Island, Desert Canyon and Bear Mountain Ranch — to be “joined at the hip,” as he portrays it.
The idea would include seasonal memberships, a broader fee spectrum than that already in place, and a Players Club membership that will entitle the owner to discounted greens fees at each of the four courses. Barth noted that Bear Mountain and Desert Canyon greens fees will be higher priced than Alta Lake and Rock Island, because the former pair require a cart. Neither is a walkable venue.
There will be a reduced rate for college students, punch cards and other changes as well, all planned to be implemented once Barth gets this whirlwind 12 months behind him. In the last year, Barth has expanded one course and purchased two others, essentially adding 45 holes to what had been a 27-hole personal enterprise.
One could call Barth’s a Horatio Alger story. From small beginnings at Alta Lake, he has garnered a quartet of fine courses, including two of the state’s most highly rated tracks. He’s filled, in large measure, the golf gap that existed in North Central Washington. With his partners, the Andersons, he’s overcome a recession that saw 157 courses around the country go under in 2011 alone, to invest heavily in golf in Central Washington.
“I’m not worried about the economy,” he says. “People still want to golf, and they’re not all going to Palm Springs or the Caribbean. Seattle golfers can drive here, and now we have four highly rated courses to offer.
“[I’m glad] I was able to do it.”
Bob Spiwak took up golf in 1953 as a respite from the rigors of selling bibles door-to-door in North Dakota. Though suffering a four-year lapse, he’s back to being a fanatical golfer. Spiwak has written articles for almost every golf magazine in the Western world, and is a frequent contributor to Cybergolf. Spiwak lives in Mazama with his wife and several pets, next to his fabled ultra-private Whispering Rattlesnakes Golf & Flubbers Club.