The Harbor Oaks Golf Course will remain in operation despite flooding.
Phyllis Thomas and Brad Thomas operate the golf course through a lease with the city of Pine Bluff. A false rumor had emerged stating that they had plans to end the lease because of flooding.
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth said she received a call from Phyllis Thomas on Tuesday. Hollingsworth said that Phyllis Thomas dispelled the rumor.
The city of Pine Bluff owns the land in Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park. Hollingsworth provided a copy of the lease agreement between D.A. Thomas Enterprises and the city of Pine Bluff. The lease is dated Sept. 26, 1994.
The Thomas family built a restaurant, golf course, pro shop and made improvements such as adding irrigation equipment to the golf course, Hollingsworth said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We lease the land,” Hollingsworth said. “As far as improvements, it is owned by the Thomas family.”
Pine Bluff experienced severe flooding in May 2015 and June 2015. Heavy rains caused another round of flooding that began in late December 2015 and continues into January 2016.
“I know that that is what I heard that the Thomas family will not be able to recoup losses,” Hollingsworth said. “I am excited they are not closing the golf course. I am a golfer. Harbor Oaks is a gorgeous course. They spent a lot of money laying out the course.
“It has been a shining star in our community,” Hollingsworth said. “You do not have many public courses that are ranked as high as Harbor Oaks, especially south of Little Rock.”
Hollingsworth said the flood in June did significantly damage the golf course.
“They applied for reimbursement funding but did not receive any money,” Hollingsworth said. “Any expenses that they incurred from the June flooding came from their own pocket. … The golf course is a huge asset to our community.”
Attempts to reach the Thomases by press time were not successful.