DPS President Scoma buys Fort Worth's Woodhaven Country Club from Carlyle Group
Longtime east-side Fort Worth resident Louis Scoma Jr., president and founder of Fort Worth-based DPS Management Consultants, has bought the Woodhaven Country Club, where he been a member for about 38 years.
The 148-acre property, including an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and amenities, was sold by the Carlyle Group, a Washington-based private equity firm. Carlyle put the property and Diamond Oaks Country Club in Haltom City up for sale this year. Woodhaven was listed for $2 million.
The all-cash deal closed Nov. 19, Scoma said. Carlyle lowered a negotiated price after a due diligence review found that about $1 million in deferred maintenance was needed, he said.
Scoma said he first balked at buying the club but made a one-time offer to Carlyle after several members said they were interested in becoming partners if the club became member-owned.
"I own several businesses and didn't know if I wanted to venture into" owning a country club, Scoma said. But "I have watched it change hands over the years and it has not been kept like it should. I didn't do this to make money."
Scoma said about 40 members want to become partners. The club will remain private, but social memberships will be offered, he said.
The club has 433 members; the goal is 600 members and 150 social members, he said.
Scoma said initial plans are for $2 million in renovations, which could take about seven months. Among other things, that work would involve updating the locker rooms, banquet rooms, restaurant, entrance, lobby, pro shop, kitchen, pool and tennis courts, he said. The golf course will be renovated in a second phase, he said.
In 1969, Scoma founded DPS, which specializes in disaster recovery planning and information systems. The company operates 28 recovery operation centers in the U.S. but also has clients in Canada and Europe.
Mira Vista Country Club in southwest Fort Worth became member-owned in 2008 after it was acquired from Crescent Real Estate Equities L.P.
Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727