Gobbler Hollow Golf Club at the preserve will go on the auction block, being sold to the highest bidder, on Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

George Thagard, vice president of Granger, Thagard and Associates, Inc. (GTA) announced Monday that his firm has taken on the task of marketing the golf course.

"We are marketing the course regionally, nationally, and also internationally," Thagard said.

Thagard said the entire property, including the golf course, 43 R-1 lots and 28 garden lots will all sell to the highest bidder, during the auction to be held at the course clubhouse.

"We will be offering this course in parcels, lots, or the entire property as one lot," Thagard said. "Any potential investors can look at any part or all of it."

Thagard explained that the opportunity is prime for anyone who grew up here in Greenville, but left to pursue a career.

"People who are interested in 'coming home' after retiring from a career out of the area will find this an excellent opportunity to do so," he said.

Thagard said it is possible that the entire property could be sold prior to the auction.

"This project is subject to sale, in its entirety, prior to the auction-if someone were to come and offer an acceptable price prior to the sale," he said.

The preserve is a 151.54 (plus or minus) acre development consisting of a golf course, restaurant, commercial lots, a residential subdivision and a garden home subdivision.

The development is located in Greenville, on Hwy. 185 North, two miles north from exit 130 off Interstate 65.

Gobbler Hollow Golf Club is a par 71, 18-hole golf course featuring Tif-dwarf Bermuda greens, and 419 Bermuda fairways, 4.5 miles of golf cart paths and a Toro electronic irrigation system.

Other amenities include a 3,100 square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant that seats 90 people, a 78-space parking lot, a practice green, a three-acre driving range and a 3,900 square-foot cart and maintenance building.

Three commercial lots with utilities front Ala. Hwy. 185; a four acre (plus or minus) acre lot and a two-acre lot.

The residential subdivision consists of 43 R-1 lots which back up to the golf course. The garden home subdivision is situated between the number 10 tee box and the number 18 green, and has 28 lots. All utilities are located underground.

"This is an excellent opportunity for investors," Thagard said. "We also welcome brokers to bring their clients to the property and show it to them."

Thagard said the terms of the auction were standard.

"An auction fee (buyer's premium) of five percent will be added to the highest bid to establish the final contract price," Thagard said. "A 10-percent down payment (earnest money) of which the greater of $2,500 or ten -percent of the final contract price in the form of a cashier's check, or a personal/business check with bank letter of guarantee minimum is required from the winning bidder when the hammer falls and the auctioneer says SOLD," Thagard said. "Down payment is non-refundable if the purchaser fails to close-the balance of the purchase price is due at closing within 30 days, and all closing costs are to be paid by the purchaser."

Thagard said his firm has a web site for those interested in seeing a photo gallery of the property, or gaining further information, at www.gtauctions.com.

Interested persons may also call toll-free at (800) 996-2877.