The Village at Woodcrest Awaiting Word on Occupancy Ahead of Opening

The Village at Woodcrest almost crashed into one last hurdle ahead of a planned event for former members and its public opening, as the club was without a certificate of occupancy as of Wednesday morning, but last-minute moves have appeared to stave off those concerns by late afternoon.

Inspectors were at the semi-private club, which had planned a Thursday event for its former members, much of the afternoon, township officials said, and nearly all the necessary inspections had been completed.

At least one more needs to be done before that certificate of occupancy can be issued, and that’s slated for Thursday morning, ahead of the members-only event, officials said.

“We expect they’ll get it,” township spokeswoman Bridget Palmer said.

It’s likely not the final word on the takeover of the formerly private, traditionally Jewish country club by Cherry Hill Land Associates, which bought Woodcrest for $10.1 million—the certificate likely to be issued Thursday would only cover a portion of the clubhouse, Palmer said.

Still, the new owners were steaming ahead with their plans for Thursday’s event and Friday’s opening for public golf, according to Jamie Berman, the director of marketing for First Montgomery Group, the parent company of Cherry Hill Land Associates.

“People have been calling in like crazy,” she said. “We are still on track for our Thursday members open.”

More details came out along with the announcement of the opening of public golf—rates have been set for public play, and a prime-time weekday round will run you $100, with a prime weekend spot going for $125, with discounts available for police, fire and military personnel.

Those rates fall to $75 and $100, respectively, between 2 and 4 p.m., and drop to $55 and $65 for twilight play, which starts after 4.

The reopening comes a little more than two weeks after Cherry Hill Land Associates won a private auction for the club, which went into bankruptcy in May 2012.

Its new owners have vowed to return the club to high standards—not only for golf, but the full country club experience, including tennis, swimming and banquet facilities.

“Our long-term vision for the property includes maintaining a premier golf club with amenities and services customary with the most prestigious of courses,” said Matthew Haydinger, one of First Montgomery Group’s principals.

For more on this story, read:

• End Comes for Woodcrest Country Club
• Possible Bidders File in Woodcrest Country Club Auction: Report
• Cherry Hill Calls for Tax Sale in Woodcrest Country Club Bankruptcy
• Woodcrest Country Club Could Go to Auction in May
• Woodcrest Country Club Goes to Auction May 20
• Woodcrest Country Club Closed-Door Auction Draws Members' Ire
• Woodcrest Bankruptcy Auction Turns Political
• Woodcrest Auction Bid Approved by Camden County Freeholders
• Norcross Announces Bid for Woodcrest Country Club
• Woodcrest Country Club Sold to Developer

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