Just over one month ago, The Willard Companies and Prudential Waterfront Properties announced a partnership with the Atlas Companies and BB&T to market Bridgewater Pointe, the vacant waterfront condominium community at Smith Mountain Lake. Over a three week campaign which began Saturday, June 5 and ran through Saturday, June 26, Prudential Waterfront Properties accepted contract reservations that were entered into a drawing held yesterday, June 27 at The Waterfront Country Club.

Over the duration of the campaign period, Prudential Waterfront Properties received over 721 contract reservations that were entered into a blind drawing. Over 300 people attended the event.  Within 2 ½ hours, all 48 condos were under contract with a scheduled 30 day closing. The three- and four-bedroom condos sold between $199,500 and $535,500. A waiting list was compiled for those buyers who were not selected during the drawing.

 “We took a unique approach to market this particular project. In addition to the drawing format, our marketing and public relations initiatives consisted of a massive multi-media campaign in both traditional and new technology arenas. The results far exceeded our every expectation. It was a fantastic event. The energy and anticipation was truly an adrenaline rush,” according to Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and Communications for The Willard Companies, owners of the Prudential Waterfront Properties real estate division.

According to Ron Willard, President of The Willard Companies who emceed the event, “It goes to show when you offer a quality product combined with attractive pricing, it will sell. This is not only remarkable for the real estate market, but for the entire Smith Mountain Lake community.”

The economy may be facing some challenges, but that didn’t stop many buyers from investing in vacation properties last year; especially at Smith Mountain Lake. NAR’s 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey shows vacation home sales rose 7.9 percent to 553,000 in 2009, compared to 513,000 in 2008.

Ninety percent of survey respondents plan to use their second home as a family vacation retreat. Only one in four plan to rent it to tenants. Twenty-six percent intend to make the property their primary residence in the future.

The median sale price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008.

In contrast to vacation homes, investment home sales fell 15.9 percent to 940,000 in 2009 from 1.12 million in 2008. The median transaction price of an investment property purchased in 2009 was $105,000, compared with $108,000 in 2008.

Talk to a Prudential Waterfront Properties Realtor about the second-home market at Smith Mountain Lake or surrounding areas.

The Willard Companies and Prudential Waterfront Properties announced today they are partnering with the Atlas Companies to market Bridgewater Pointe, a gated luxury waterfront community offering 48 three- and four-bedroom condominiums at Smith Mountain Lake.

Prudential Waterfront Properties will be accepting contracts from 10 a.m., Saturday, June 5, through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 26. All acceptable contracts will be entered into a lottery sale with a drawing and brunch on Sunday, June 27, at The Waterfront Country Club. Contracts will require a $5,000 deposit with special BB&T financing options available to qualified buyers.  

 “We are very excited to partner with Atlas on marketing the Bridgewater Pointe project,” said Ron Willard, president of The Willard Companies. “This will truly be a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a luxury waterfront condo at Smith Mountain Lake. The timing is perfect with such attractive pricing on a top of the line quality product.”   

Starting at $199,500, Bridgewater Pointe, a maintenance-free community, offers three different architectural plans to choose from. The condos, ranging from 1,685 – 2,294 sq. ft., feature hardwood, carpet and tile  flooring, granite and Coriain countertops, Whirlpool® appliances, Andersen® windows and sliding doors, tile bathroom floors and showers, halogen recessed lighting, direct-vent gas fireplaces, walk-in closets and more. Additionally, the eight Penthouse units feature numerous designer upgrades including kitchens with Viking, Dacor, and Bosch appliances, a fireplace in the master bedroom, and upgraded lighting and flooring packages. Bridgewater Pointe features two reserved covered parking spaces per unit owner. A swimming pool and pavilion area will open later this summer.

In addition, Bridgewater Pointe purchasers can join The Waterfront Country Club with no initiation fee. Amenities include tennis courts, a swimming pool, fitness center, driving range, pro shop and fine dining. The Waterfront, which also features an 18-hole, PGA championship golf course, has remained one of the region’s premier golf course and country club communities.

 “We decided to partner with The Willard Companies and Prudential Waterfront Properties based on Mr. Willard’s long-standing reputation in the Smith Mountain Lake community,” said Don Foust, executive vice president of Atlas. “The Willard companies in succession have developed The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge, The Boardwalk, Westlake Towne Center and their most recent residential project, The Farm. Willard’s real estate company, Prudential Waterfront Properties, has been an established leader in selling premier lake properties since it was founded in 1987. The company has been associated with thousands of families across the country who have purchased lake-front property for their retirement, as a second home, or as a primary residence.”

“My reputation over the past 37 years stands as proof that I go the extra mile for the residents of my communities and my commitment is to do the very same for the Bridgewater Pointe project,” Willard said. “I grew up in the area and have spent much of my time giving back to the community and its residents. I’m proud that our company has weathered past recessions and current economic challenges and continues to employ more than 200 people.”

Smith Mountain Lake is a 22,000-acre recreational lake with 500 miles of shoreline and approximately 40 miles of property in three counties. The lake is about two and a half hours from Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., and three hours from Washington D.C. It is a popular second home and retirement destination for upper-income residents from the nearby areas of Roanoke, Lynchburg, Greensboro, Raleigh, Washington D.C., Richmond and the Triad. The area provides local shopping and restaurants while a grocery store and movie theater is just minutes away at Westlake Towne Center.

Prudential Waterfront Properties will have an onsite sales office at Bridgewater Pointe with sales advisors available to answer questions and provide tours from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., seven days a week. For more information about Bridgewater Pointe, contact Prudential Waterfront Properties at (800) 858-4653 or visit www.smithmtnlake.com.

Sunday, May 9
Seating Times: 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00 and 1:30

Join us on Mom’s special day for a fabulous brunch. 

Chef and his staff will feature a spectacular menu including Homemade Tomato Basil Soup, Fresh Strawberry, Romaine & Spinach Salad, Roast Beef with Au jus, Honey Glazed Virginia Ham, Crispy Fried Flounder, Yukon Gold Roasted Potatoes, Sautéed Spring Vegetables, Chef attended Omelet Station, Freshly Baked Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fresh Fruit Salad and Assorted Desserts. 

All of this for only $22.95++ for adults, $12.95++ for children 6-12 years old and those under six eat free.  Make your reservations early as this is one of our more popular events.

Mickey Martin, Club Manager

I hope that all of you have been able to get out to the club for a round of golf or two this beautiful spring in Southwest Virginia. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new members to The Westlake Golf and Country Club!

We are going to have a very busy month here with golf outings, tournaments, and special events. Also, please be kind to your Moms and Grandmothers and bring them to the club for our Mother’s Day Brunch. You’ll find the seating times and menu on the front of this Navigator, be sure to call early to reserve your table. 

Beginning this month we will once again be offering our Friday Night Prime Rib and Shrimp Buffet so please come out and patronize your club and enjoy a fabulous dinner.

 The pool will also be opening at the end of the month so get your trunks and bathing suits ready for a great summer season.  Remember your guests are always welcome to join you but please make sure you sign them in as you arrive. 

SUMMER SWIM LESSONS
Swim lessons will begin in early June for little swimmers age 4 – 7.  Water Safety Instructor Mary-Evelyn Sellars will be leading the lessons here at The Westlake pool.  Classes will cover water introduction, pool & lake safety, and stroke development.  All lessons will be offered in small group settings.  For more information and to register, please contact Mary-Evelyn directly at 540-721-3526.

BANQUET FACILITIES AND PRIVATE PARTIES
Planning a party, wedding, reception, or meeting? The clubhouse is a wonderful facility for banquets. For details, please call Mickey at 721-3845.

WIRELESS INTERNET
Please note, the club has wireless internet access for members to use with their laptop computers.

Billy McBride III, PGA Professional

The start of the season is here.  The grass has healed from the spring aerification.  Basically, it is time to play golf.  I challenge each and every member out here to play as much golf as they can.  You will not find a better looking course within the Roanoke Valley, if not within the state of Virginia.

FROM THE PRO SHOP
We are filling The Westlake Pro Shop every day with new equipment and apparel.  Look for our specials on different manufactures, as we spotlight a different line of equipment every month.  In May, we will feature the Acushnet line of golf equipment, which includes the Titleist, Cobra, and Foot Joy brands.  Check the Pro Shop for discounts on all Acushnet equipment throughout the month of May.

LESSONS
Would you like to spend the rest of the year enjoying your game instead of wondering “what could I have done to fix my swing?”  What a great time to get into the swing of things by taking a lesson.  We have a variety of lessons available for whatever may be “ailing” your game and help you “cure” it.  Bill and I are available for lessons and we would be happy to get your swing on track.  Just give one of us a call and you will be on the way to better golf.

 CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations go out to Johnny McCall for winning the Taylor Made Spring Opener Special Edition Staff Bag during Master’s Weekend.  Johnny bought one of the last squares available and turned that into the winner.  Thanks to everyone that bought a square.

The 2010 Junior Camp dates have been set and the forms are in the Pro Shop.  This year we will have Junior Camps on the following dates:

JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS
Session 1 is June 14 – 18 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Session 2 is July 12 – 16 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The age groups for the camps are 7 – 12 years old and the cost will stay at $125 per junior.  This is a great opportunity for juniors to be introduced to the game of golf or to refresh what they have learned before.

Junior Golf Camp

The WLGA officially kicked off the 2010 season with a well attended “Coffee Kick-Off” meeting; followed by a picture-perfect first day of play, on April 1^st.  We were excited with the participation which included many returning players and numerous new members. We continue to encourage any interested ladies to join us on Thursday mornings. Sign-up is required each week no later than the Wednesday prior by calling or emailing the pro-shop.

The WLGA is supporting the Lake Christian Ministries’ group with their efforts in collecting items for distribution to disaster victims.  A special box has been made available just inside the entrance of the club house.  The items we are looking for are in keeping with a “Spring Cleaning” theme.  They include household soaps, cleaners and personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap.  Also needed are women’s items and baby items such as diapers.

We are looking forward to another fun season of golf as well as scheduled non-golf socials.  If you have any questions or are interested in joining us; please contact the pro shop.

Thank you,
Carol Guy

Ken and Linda Bishop
10603 John Ayres Drive
Fairfax, VA 22032

John Boitnott
5 East Court Street, #301
Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Dennis and Kelli Cooper
11 Nyle Ridge Road
Wirtz, VA 24184

Joe and Tiffany Franks
500 Hawthorne Drive
Danville, VA 24541

Lisa Greer
143 Grand Harbour Ct.
Hardy, VA 24101

Jeffrey and Nancee Jon
1692 Snidow Drive
Goodview, VA 24095

Douglas and Faye Lester
72 Crestwood Drive
Boones Mill, VA 24065

Howard T. Pack, Sr. and Sue Dalton
116 23rd Street
Roanoke, VA 24014

Mike and Terri Robertson
79 Meador Drive
Moneta, VA 24121

Friday Night Buffet
Come and enjoy our Prime Rib and Shrimp Friday Night Buffet beginning May 14th from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Please call ahead to make reservations and find out the current week’s menu. The cost is $20.95++ for adults, $7.95++ for children ages 6-12. Reservations required. Call 721-3845.

 • • •

Breakfast Buffet
Saturday and Sunday
8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Come enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast buffet now being served Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Items include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage or country ham, Potatoes O’Brien, freshly baked biscuits, sausage gravy, and fresh fruit.  Cost: $4.95++ with 18 holes of golf only $2.95++.

• • •

Lunch Specials Daily
Unique and delicious specials for $5.95++. Homemade soups are also available.  The kitchen is open from 11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. daily.

Well, as we head into the month of April, the trees are turning green, the flowers are blooming and the golf course is as green as I can ever remember. The golf season has also gotten into full swing, no pun intended, as our tournaments have finally begun.

The Icebreaker Tournament was on Saturday, March 20th. The weather was great and so was the participation. We had a total of 61 people come out and play. This is the kind of support we need for every event that is held. Everyone had a good time and the Club served cold cuts for lunch before we got going and had a nice spread of snacks for everyone afterwards. Thanks to everyone for coming out and congratulations to the team of Troy Lester, Shane Lester, Tom Curling and Norris Perry who took first place overall honors.

Billy and Bill had the factory guys over on Thursday, March 25th for our annual “Demo Day”. The weather was great and a lot of folks made it out to check out the new equipment. This is a great venue to check out all of the latest and greatest golf gear and is something that the guy’s in the Pro Shop have been doing for a number of years now. It is always a fun afternoon and if you have never checked it out, you should try and do so next year. You might find that special club you’ve been looking for to change your golf game.

The grounds crew started aerifcation of the greens on Monday, April 5th and wrapped things up on Tuesday. This process is an arduous one that doesn’t make the putting surface to much fun for a few days afterwards, but it is a necessary evil so we can continue to have some of the better greens in the area for the rest of the year. And if you got out and played this past weekend, you probably noticed that they were already starting to fill in rather nicely. They will be as good as new very soon!

The Master’s Pick-a-Pro Tournament was Saturday, April 10th. This is a great little tourney that we do every year that allows each participant to pick a playing partner from The Master’s tournament field. I am happy to report that I once again picked a playing partner that played as poorly as I did. Congratulations to Ron Taylor who took home First Place honors this year. Ron paired up with Lee Westwood to shoot a combined score132. 

Last but not least, the Member-Member will be the weekend of April 24th & 25th.  This is a two day event that is a lot of fun year in and year out. The band that played last year, “Solrevolt”, will be on hand again this year. And rumor has it that a certain WMGA Board Member will be a guest stand in on harmonica once again. Giddyup!

That is all I have for this month. Remember, you can contact me anytime if you have questions or concerns. Until next month, Hit’em straight!

Tim Wheeler
The Westlake Men’s Golf Association