WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - A Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course, a 25-stall equestrian barn and center, a downhill ski slope and more than 200 housing sites are all planned for a new $150 million gated community project being developed on a 720-acre tract of land bordering the Oakhurst Golf Links in Greenbrier County.

Walt Davis, president of Develop Vision Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and director of sales for Oakhurst Development, told The Register-Herald on Wednesday that access roads to the development site, located just off of Montague Drive, are being cut in and "fully refundable cash reservations" for lots are being accepted. The first offerings on property will come in late July or August with a second offering scheduled for October.

Former Greenbrier County resident Lewis Keller Jr. of Phoenix and Jack Johnson of Park City, Utah, are the principal parties responsible for Oakhurst Development, according to Davis. Keller's father, Lewis Keller Sr., has owned Oakhurst Golf Links, recognized as America's oldest golf course, since 1959.

Kaisa Stevens, a spokesperson for Nicklaus Design Inc., also spoke to The Register-Herald on Wednesday and confirmed that a new Nicklaus golf course is being designed for Oakhurst.

While the existing nine-hole course will remain open to the public, the new links-style Nicklaus course will be private, Davis stated.

In addition to the golf, equestrian and skiing facilities (that will include miles of cross-country trails), a pool, ice rink and at least three gathering centers are planned, according to Davis.

Approximately 235 lots, ranging in size from a half acre to 8 acres, are available for purchase along with 94 multi-family units. Prices for the lots run from $225,000 to more than $800,000, while the townhouses will start at $500,000, Davis said. Most of the private homes will have to be a minimum of 3,500 square feet with a maximum size of 7,500 square feet.

Most of the development will take place along 2 miles of ridgeline that borders George Washington National Forest, Davis added.

Other plans for the project include a bed-and-breakfast facility to be constructed on a 3-acre tract which Keller Sr. currently has a home on.

"We will be looking for a private entity to come in and construct and operate it," Davis said.

"This is not something to compete with The Greenbrier or The Homestead," he added. "The Kellers didn't want to build a hotel, but the bed-and-breakfast was viewed as a good tie-in to what they have planned."

Greenbrier County Commission president Betty Crookshanks said she had not been informed as to the details of the project but she said it certainly "sounds good for Greenbrier County."

Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corp. executive director Richard Nevi was out of the office Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

Davis indicated that additional information on Oakhurst Development can be obtained by calling 647-3033 or 1-888-625-4778, or by visiting its offices in Lewisburg at 122 N. Court St. on the second floor of the former Masonic Temple.

No specifics about slope in article...size, vertical, whether private or public...etc.
The Colonel

Greenbrier already has a "ski slope," and they mean it in the most southern sense of the word. If I remember right, I think Cloudmont in Alabama might be bigger. Hopefully they can reach for the stars and maybe get some vertical on this new "slope."

Dreamily, I envisions a 20 run resort with glade skiing, a 1000 foot vertical, detachable lifts, and 20 dollar tickets...

Dreamily, I imagine winning a $5 billion lottery. I think I have better odds.

Dreamily, I imagine Jenna Jameson in my bed with full-on cam-cru, live Internet, and the GOP party kissing my butt!

I'd be happy to see Jenna Jameson in your bed, Crush, but not with you in it with her...

LewdDewd(aka Crush), some of us members..........uh of the vast right wing conspiracy...........OH, imagine that .

So am I Jimmy... but given the GOP's behavior recently I'm kinda feeling the same sentiments as Crush... (but I still don't want to see him naked, even if Jenna Jameson is there)

I don't even know who Jenna Jameson is!

Jenna Jameson? Such modest ambitions...

Personally, I'd go for the $5 billion lottery. I would use it to build Almost Heaven and run a tram from Old Timberline right to the base of the new slopes.

Guys ......

JimmyZ - it was supposed to be an excercise in improbability , eh?

RogerZ - gee thanks!

Chad - Boy u have to bone-up (lol) on more porn - it makes u ski better !

If I win a five billion dollar lottery, I promise you all the best damn ski resort on the East Coast right here in the Mid-Atlantic, complete with rental porn stars (maybe that could be a new addition to the Ski Moonshine legend!).

Sorry, but if I win a $5 bil lottery I'm going to buy Solitude. Anything left over will go to either Tory or buying Snowshoe from Intrawest and expanding the Western Territory.