WPCNR THE DEVELOPER NEWS. By John F. Bailey. June 18, 2007: A spokesperson for Cappelli Enterprises said today he would have to clarify Cappelli Enterprises position regarding making arrangements with golf clubs in White Plains for member privileges for guests and condominium owners at the Ritz Carlton Westchester.

Geoff Thompson, the spokesman said, despite a written statement from Cappelli Enterprises released to the media Thursday that said if the developer entered an agreement with  a golf property it would be kept residential, told WPCNR "Louis told me Friday he is definitely not trying to buy a club. He's just trying to buy memberships in the clubs."

Asked how Mr. Cappelli could renovate a clubhouse, add a spa and tennis facilities to a club, as the statement and comments he released Thursday said, just based on purchasing memberships, Thompson said he would have to clarify that with Mr. Cappelli.

Asked again if Mr. Cappelli was targeting Ridgeway Country Club, which was reported today as losing members by The Journal News,  making it perhaps vulnerable to an offer, Mr. Thompson said Mr. Cappelli was under a Confidentiality Agreement with Ridgeway Country Club, and would not comment further. Thompson said Cappelli was negotiating with 4 clubs in White Plains.

The new position of the Super Developer appears in sharp contrast to the statement he released Thursday which ruled out residential development of any country clubs he "made arrangements with," if one makes the assumption you have to own a property to change it's nature.

The obtainment of memberships of clubs does not give you that much sway over tee-times and privileges. At most resorts where golf is an option for guests, the resorts own the golf courses, the concierge gives you the number of the golf clubhouse, and you as guest simply call up and arrange a tee-time. At private clubs, members have first choice of tee times, often reserving them. If 200 guests at the Ritz-Carlton as well as some 400 residents had use of a golf club, but Mr. Cappelli only owned say 25 memberships that would be far different than the arrangements and availablity at most resort hotels.

At the Lake Placid Resort for example where this reporter plays when sojurning in the Adirondacks,  I can arrive on Thursday, call as soon as I arrive and be on the course that afternoon or get a tee time the next morning. No problem. I am not at the mercy of members. Whatever arrangements made with any club based simply on membership acquisitions would be hampered with only a handful of memberships.

The statement of last week gave a strong indication the Super Developer is looking to buy:

LC Main, LLC, as owner of the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is actively talking to a number of different golf clubs within a ten-mile radius of the hotel and is actively seeking various other opportunities that have the potential to enhance and expand the services and amenities available to buyers of the condominium residences.

Golf courses and golf privileges are commonly offered to home buyers in new residential projects across the United States. Westchester County has long offered some of the best and most exclusive golfing opportunities found anywhere in the nation, and an ability to access these courses is a strong attraction.

Various possibilities for offering golf as an amenity to Ritz-Carlton, Westchester buyers are being explored.

Should a golf course venture be entered into, it would be for the sole purpose of being repositioned as a world class golf and tennis club, not for conversion as a residential development.

LC Main, LLC recognizes and respects that golf courses serve as open space amenities for the neighborhoods and communities in which they are located.