51° and Overcast
In an article in Pennlive on February 28, Sue Gleiter reports:
Hampden Township’s Board of Commissioners will take another swing at deciding the fate of a township golf course restaurant.
The board will meet at 5 p.m. March 5 to revisit a potential motion to open bids for Armitage Golf Club’s restaurant rather than renegotiate a lease with current tenant, the Caddy Shack.
The township, which owns the golf club, has indicated it wants to explore other options for the restaurant. Caddy Shack has operated seasonally at the club for 34 years, but its lease ends Dec. 31.
Earlier this month during a contentious meeting packed with Caddy Shack supporters, the board voted to hold off on a decision and meet with the restaurant’s management team.
Since then, Caddy Shack founder Nick Dunphy said he submitted a proposal (something he said he has never had to do) to the township, but hasn’t heard back. Dunphy has said the township is attempting to push him out by putting the lease up for bid.
But the board said the decision was fueled when Dunphy told them eight years ago he planned to retire, a claim he disputes. At the Feb. 12 meeting, board members said Caddy Shack is welcome to submit a proposal if they vote to open bids.
The board’s role overseeing the golf course puts it in a unique position. The township oversees the golf course under a Golf Advisory Board, while the onsite Caddy Shack is privately run.
The Caddy Shack opens at 4 p.m. Thursday for the season.
