Hidden Lakes links may get Nicklaus touch
Dick Villelli is a self-admitted dreamer, but he has a habit of making his dreams come true.
His latest dream involves revamping Hidden Lakes Golf Resort into “the premier golf destination resort in the western U.S., period.”
Villelli announced plans Thursday to construct eight new holes and redesign existing ones into a “world-class” 18-hole golf course. Hidden Lakes underwent a $3.5 million face-lift, including the addition of a stunning $2 million clubhouse, in 2000. At that time, Villelli had grander plans in mind, but not the capital to move forward.
To pursue his dream, Villelli has enlisted some heavy hitters. Villelli, president of Villelli Enterprises, Inc., which owns the scenic golf course located just outside of Sandpoint, said the project is a “joint venture” with a builder/developer from Monterrey, Calif. He declined to identify the California company, but said “they’re very formidable.”
As Villelli was making his announcement at the 2005 Real Estate Market Forum at the Spokane Convention Center, he noted that Nicklaus Design has been at Hidden Lakes this week “helping us design the new holes.” Nicklaus Design is headed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, but Villelli was coy when asked if Nicklaus would be directly involved.
“I know, but I’m not at liberty to tell you,” he said, with a slight grin.
Nicklaus Design has been involved with 167 U.S. courses and 278 worldwide, according to the company Web site. Nicklaus, his four sons and his son-in-law serve as designers.
Villelli cautioned that the project, while a go in his mind, is far from finalized. He’s yet to present his plans to Bonner County officials.
“Real estate deals aren’t done until they’re done, as everyone here will tell you,” Villelli said, “but they’re out there designing so it’s coming along. … Hopefully we’ll be talking to our local government in the next 30 to 60 days. If all goes well, we hope to be moving dirt later this year.”
If everything stays on schedule, Villelli said course renovations would be done late in the 2006 season. He hopes to keep 12 to 14 holes open during construction, but he said Nicklaus Design would make the final call. The new holes likely will be built south of Highway 200. The course presently sits on the north side of the highway.
Villelli said he isn’t sure of the final price tag. After the remodel, the course will remain open to the public.
“We have 1,000 acres, 3,000 feet of frontage on the lake, two miles on the (Pack) River,” he said. “And the neat thing is they’re doing it in the same manner we wanted to do it. The animals are staying, the wildlife corridors are staying, we’re not cutting trees and we’re not nuking the property. It’s actually going to be less dense – it’ll be one-fifth of what the zoning allows.
“So all the dreams I had, these guys are not only buying into them, they’re making them come true.”
Villelli wasn’t certain how many lots will be available, but most would be single-dwelling units.
Villelli isn’t an avid golfer, but he’s apparently interested enough to have taken some lessons.
“This was always the dream, it was just the dollars,” Villelli said. “Truthfully it’s been a struggle for us. We haven’t taken out a penny for 10 years. We sold all the lots and every penny went back into infrastructure and development. Now, luckily for us, I think the timing is pretty good.”