McCormick Woods, one of the state’s premier golf courses, is about to change hands. The new owner is a firm called C&M Golf, LLC. McCormick Woods was originally developed and owned by McCormick Land Company until the sale.

The firm put the course, the clubhouse, pro shop and Mary Mac’s Restaurant all on the block last May at a price of $5.5 million. Also put up for sale at the same time were 470 undeveloped lots and the proposed hotel and conference center site, which could have been part of the deal or not, depending on the buyer.

C&M Golf is a limited liability company whose two principals are Gig Harbor resident Jeff Mehlert and Shawn Cucciardi of Tacoma. There are also 14 investors with a stake in the company.

According to Mehlert, after 18 months of negotiations, they will pay a bargain $3.35 million for the course itself, the pro shop and Mary Mac’s, as well as all of the retail inventory, golf carts, maintenance equipment etc., and the individuals businesses associated with those facilities.

He said the deal wasn’t final, but didn’t expect any glitches. “They lawyers are working out the last few details, and you know how it goes with lawyers,” he laughed.

Neither the lots nor the hotel and convention center site were part of the deal, although according to McCormick Land Company President Linda Niebanck, there are negotiations in the works to sell those properties as well. She declined to be any more specific or identify the potential buyer, but hinted that a sale announcement could be imminent.

“We’re delighted to have found buyers that we believe have the same commitment to a great golf experience that McCormick Land Company has had,” commented Niebanck. “We look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

Both Mehlert and Cucciardi are Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) members and are experienced in the business side of golf course management as well as working as pros. Mehlert has served as the resident pro at four facilities, most recently, Meadowbrook in Tacoma. A lot of his professional efforts have been concentrated on teaching golf, especially to young people.

Both Mehlert and Cucciardi are very involved in working with underprivileged kids. Mehlert runs a non-profit foundation that focuses on using golf as a method to help them, and works through the schools as well as organizations like the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs. He also runs the Northwest Junior Golf Tour (www.jrgt.com), which is scheduled to play a tournament at McCormick Woods on Sept. 27 and 28.

Cucciardi has worked for the PGA and served as executive director the Pacific Northwest PGA Junior Golf Fund, Inc., for the past five years. He also runs The First Tee in Olympia, which is part of a worldwide organization that’s dedicated to working with underprivileged youth and exposing them to the world of golf. He also sits on the board of The First Tee of Greater Seattle, which includes such heavyweights as University of Washington Athletic Director Barbara Hedges and others. He’s also very involved in the Northwest Golf Show, a huge annual trade show and marketing event.

According to Mehlert, there are no drastic changes planned once they take over. “We try to use the word improvements,” he chuckled. “We’re just going to do the things we’ve been doing for years at other facilities that we know work, and bring in more revenue, especially on the retail side.”

He did say they have been interviewing staff and surveying clients on potential improvements that could be made. “We want the residents here to be comfortable with the change and feel good about what we’re doing,” stated Mehlert. “We want to be a real community golf course, and show people that they’re welcome here. We need to embrace the homeowners.”

He said one thing that concerns them is the perception that McCormick Woods is a private course. “We’re a community course,” He said. “We need to make that very clear to the local golfers and to do everything possible to make them feel welcome and fell like this is ‘their’ course.”

Asked about other revenue enhancements, Mehlert answered, “They have a very solid tournament base. With Shawn’s and my background we should be able to expand that base and increase revenue.” He added, “But I can’t wait to get involved in the community, get into the schools and bring the kids out here.”

Obviously, that is where both Mehlert and Cucciardi’s real passion lies, in teaching young people about golf. Now they have one the best locations in the state to do it.