It was apparently an offer two Freeport business owners couldn’t refuse.
Co-owners and married couple Michael and Virginia Graff of Fawn recently closed their businesses, The Clubhouse on the Hill and White Buffalo Golf Course, after receiving two separate offers from different buyers interested in purchasing the public golf course that sits on more than 60 acres in Freeport.
“We had no intention of selling,” Virginia Graff said . “Sometimes, it’s amazing in life that people are interested in things that you don’t even know about. We just couldn’t walk away from this offer.”
A large digital sign at the Clubhouse, 499 Freeport Road, reads “SOLD.”
The nine-hole golf course and large restaurant and bar with sweeping views of downtown Freeport and its surrounding countryside has operated under the Graffs since 2018.
The couple closed the restaurant Dec. 15. They expect to close on the sale of the properties within the next month.
According to the Graffs, the two buyers are not affiliated with each other and wish to remain anonymous. The couple declined to name the buyers, citing respect for their privacy.
“We’re not at liberty to discuss that,” Virginia Graff said.
Once the sale is recorded, the property information will become public record via the Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds Office.
The closing affects four full-time employees, as the golf course operated seasonally.
Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review
A complete liquidation live auction is scheduled for Saturday and Monday at White Buffalo Golf Course and The Clubhouse on the Hill in Freeport. The course and restaurant closed Dec. 15. The auction company is Mark Ferry Auctioneers of Latrobe.
The two buyers initially approached the couple last fall, inquiring about the possibility of buying the properties.
“It was very sudden,” Virginia Graff said.
The Graffs own and operate Graff Towing & Auto Repair off of Route 908 in Fawn .
They are hosting live total liquidation auctions on Saturday and Monday, Jan. 13 and 15.
Doors open at 7 a.m. on both dates and the auctions begin at 9 a.m.
They hired Mark Ferry Auctioneers of Latrobe to handle the contents, which run the gamut from 19 golf carts and heavy-duty machinery, to restaurant supplies, expansive bar and kitchen equipment — almost 900 auction lots, said auction house owner Mark Ferry.
Ferry was on hand Wednesday organizing lots for the preview scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the course’s maintenance building on Mill Street in Freeport.
There will be no online bidding.
“I’m getting phone calls from Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and calls from different golf courses,” Ferry said. “I expect 99% of this stuff will be sold the first day.”
In his almost 50 years of handling auctions, Ferry said, golf courses are popular with developers because they offer lots of acreage.
Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review
The White Buffalo Golf Course is seen Wednesday from the deck of The Clubhouse on the Hill in Freeport. The course and restaurant closed Dec. 15, and two separate properties are being sold to unspecified buyers.
“It’s kind of the unwritten rule, developers like golf courses because they’re pretty well cleared out and they can plot their houses down through the course,” Ferry said. “A lot of them like it, too, because the irrigation system, infrastructure is already there.”
The Graffs said the liquidation was at the request of the buyers.
“The new owners were not interested in securing our equipment and nine-hole public golf course,” Virginia Graff said.
Freeport Mayor Zack Gent said he’s happy to hear the buyers are locals but declined to comment on their identity.
“I’m confident that what they will do with the property will benefit them as well as the Borough of Freeport,” Gent said. “I wish Mike and Virginia Graff the best of luck.”
Originally known as Buffalo Valley Country Club, built by the Laube family, the course and clubhouse were private. The golf course later was expanded to 18 holes and went public.
In 2017, the Graffs bought 60 acres of the former 18-hole Phoenix at Buffalo Valley golf course for $250,000 from the Nese family of Monroeville.
To view the full list of auction items and photos online, click here or visit markferryauctioneers.com.
Joyce Hanz is a TribLive reporter covering the Alle-Kiski Valley. A native of Charleston, S.C., she graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Former Freeport golf course, restaurant sale pending; future use uncertain - TribLIVE
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