Golf

Unique Focus on the Golf Industry

The Golf practice's role is to coordinate, handle, and ease clients' legal, business, and land use issues throughout the entire process of a new golf course development or at any point in the life of an existing golf facility.

Planning and Counseling: A Unique Set of Issues

As one of only a handful of law firms with a practice focusing on the golf industry, we help the client anticipate the legal and business challenges that they may face in the various stages of course development, ownership, and management. From construction, which may raise a range of land use and financing questions, to decisions about membership, management, and operation, we help the client prepare for long-range issues and obstacles that may cause delays.

Integrated Legal Services: A Coordinated Approach

To meet the needs of clients developing a new golf course and those managing an existing golf course, our Golf practice provides integrated legal services through attorneys with skills in:

Course Development: From Feasibility to Financing

Saul Ewing's Golf practice attorneys provide advice and representation in each facet of course development, including:

• Land acquisition and site approvals
• Coordinating with planning professionals, such as engineers, designers, and architect
• Compliance with applicable zoning, environmental and, other regulations – and litigation if our clients' goals and the facts warrant it.

Litigation: Working with Clients to Meet Their Goals

In some cases, litigation is necessary to achieve the desired results. For example, in the past we have worked with a signature architect, and high-end public golf course in comprehensive site acquisition and representation in land use approvals. In another example, we acted as general corporate representative for an industry-leading golf course feasibility valuation professional association. We have also handled environmental matters ranging from wetlands, toxic substances, and chemical use notices to conservation easements.

Financing: Alternatives That Suit Your Short- and Long-Term Needs

During the first phase of course development, it is important to have financing secured, or nearly so, when land use approvals are obtained. We help our clients access sources of debt and equity capital, whether public offering, private placement, REIT, or other sources.

Ongoing Support: Specific Assistance at Every Stage

From the initial construction bidding through approvals, forming membership bylaws – even strategic joint ventures that leverage the cachet of golf into full-fledged retirement communities – Saul Ewing's Golf practice attorneys provide knowledgeable advice throughout the life cycle of a golf facility.