ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH
SOURCE: Associated Press
THE CITY'S BID to become a popular golf-vacation destination could get a major boost.
The PGA Tour and Virginia Beach are working toward an agreement to jointly build a championship-caliber golf course in the city.
The $10 million course would be a major step in Virginia Beach's plans to become a popular golf-vacation destination.
Officials with Hyatt Corp. have expressed interest in building a 500-unit resort complex at Lake Ridge if the golf course is built, sources told The Virginian-Pilot.
The newspaper reported the PGA Tour would pay approximately $6.5 million toward course construction and the city would pay $3.5 million.
``We certainly are in negotiations,'' said Virginia Beach Vice Mayor W.D. ``Will'' Sessoms Jr. ``This is not a done deal, but we are very optimistic.''
PGA Tour officials declined to comment on the Lake Ridge project Friday, but Vernon Kelly, president of golf course properties for the PGA Tour, confirmed another PGA official had visited the area several times.
``We've been prospecting the area, but we are prospecting several locations,'' Kelly said.
The Virginia Beach City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed deal in private session Tuesday.
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