Perry County group closer to constructing golf course

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perry Progress Corp. has entered into a contract with the Edward J. Robinson Revocable Trust to buy 200 acres of land for a golf course, and the Bank of Missouri board of directors has approved a $7 million loan for the project last month, the corporation announced Wednesday.

The not-for-profit corporation is submitting the loan proposal for approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

If approved, the Split Rock Golf Course will be built three miles west of Perryville, on Route N past Split Rock bridge.

Art Schaupeter, a full-time golf course architect of 15 years who most recently designed a course in Columbia, Mo., planned the 18-hole course.

However, David Pearce, general manager and head golf professional of the Perryville Country Club, said he doesn't think there are enough golf players in the area for two courses.

About two years ago the Big Spring Boulevard golf club tried to expand its nine-hole golf course to 18 holes, but the community protested because it would have interferred with the Legion lake property.

"The question is, does Perry County need 18 holes? Sure," Pearce said. "This community would love to have it. But can it do 27 holes? Our opinion is no. I don't think we have enough golf players."

Leo Rozier, a retired lawyer who has lived in Perryville for 92 years and served in the Missouri Senate for 4 1/2, is against the new golf course. He said that there are already golf courses in Ste. Genevieve and Jackson, Mo., and Chester, Ill.

"The federal government is going all over the country paying for golf courses," Rozier said. "If they want to spend some money down here, we could find places to spend it other than another golf course."

The Congregation of the Mission offered the Perryville Development Corp., an extension of the Chamber of Commerce, a tract of land for lease for an 18-hole golf course on its property near Interstate 55 about two years ago. The site was turned down due to cost and the noise of traffic.

Afterwards, the Perryville Development Corp. created the Perry Progress Corp. to facilitate growth of the community and develop an 18-hole course. A seven-member board was established and given authority by the Perryville Development Corp.'s board to investigate six possible sites. Schaupeter, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, helped make the final decision.

"I got things laid out and showed what could be done with the land," said Schaupeter, adding that he designed a detailed concept. "They still have to get their ducks in a row."

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

View the golf course layout