Getting Up and Down: Roanoke Valley’s Newest Private Golf Community is Out of the Rough
In 2008, with its grand opening still a year away, Ballyhack was set to become one of the East Coast’s premier private destination golf communities. Speculation ranged from how good the golf course was going to be to how rapidly the real estate development would progress…and then the recession hit.
While club membership enrollment increased steadily, real estate sales, like everywhere in the country, ground to a halt. Jonathan Ireland, the overseer of the entire project, said, “If we had been any earlier in the development process when the bubble burst, plans for Ballyhack would have likely been shelved. Fortunately, the owners decided to forge ahead. It was a courageous gamble.”
Fast forward to 2013, and like many other developers who survived the recession’s turbulent years, the chances for a real estate success story look strong. Van Renick joined the company in early 2011 with over 20 years of experience working in sales and marketing for upscale golf course communities. Renick has been through these cycles before.
Renick reflects, “The first two years I was here, I had very few substantive conversations with anyone about building a home in our golf community. There just weren’t many people seriously considering building a custom home anywhere, let alone in a new community like ours. But I’m now talking to several prospects interested in building, many of whom have already met with builders and architects to discuss plans for their homes. Although it’s taken longer to get underway because of the economy, the evolution of a successful development is now on track.”
“Every development relies on brave early-adopters and, thankfully, we’ve already had two prominent local couples build gorgeous homes on the golf course.” Renick said, “They have made strong statements of confidence in Ballyhack, both by choosing to live here and with the quality and architectural design of their homes. Those, in combination with the additional homes that will be starting soon, will push us closer to that critical mass we’re looking for. I’ve seen it happen in multiple developments over the years and can see the same signs here.”
Ireland adds, “People are immediately taken in by the beauty of the property and the special nature of the golf course. When they realize that we are only eight minutes from the Carilion campus and 12 minutes to Roanoke’s fabulous downtown, Ballyhack becomes a very compelling option. Ballyhack provides a beautiful pastoral setting surrounded by magnificent views of the golf course and Blue Ridge Mountains. It truly gives those who are ready to build their dream home an ideal location to do so.”
“It is amazing to cross the bridge for the Blue Ridge Parkway and enter such a beautiful
and serene golf course community which is so close to downtown Roanoke.”
There are no other golf course communities that I have seen where you can see so much
of the golf course from so many homesites as Ballyhack. We are able to see part of the entire
front nine holes, 6 greens and the clubhouse from our home. -Dr. John Mann
The Wise family is so happy and delighted to be living at Ballyhack! We built our dream house on a glorious lot overlooking the first fairway at the Ballyhack Golf Club. We wake up to breathtaking sunrises each morning and marvel at the beauty of the golf course and surrounding mountains!
One would not have to be a golfer to appreciate the beauty and serenity of this “tucked away” area of Roanoke County. We are only ten minutes from downtown Roanoke, yet we are living in such a tranquil and peaceful setting. There is nowhere like it in our area.
This community is a gem for Roanoke and Southwest Virginia! We absolutely love living here and feel like we are on vacation every day! -Danielle and Mike Wise
