New owners for Gold Coast’s Lakelands

As far as the sale of Lakelands Golf Course is concerned, the proof’s in the pudding, so to speak.

That’s because a major Japanese dessert company, Chateraise Holdings, are the new owners of Lakelands after the Gold Coast layout, designed by the great Jack Nicklaus, went under the hammer last week for a reported $8.6m.

Lakelands Golf Club (Credit: www.golfphotos.com.au)

Former owner Naonori Fujita admitted old age was the catalyst in agreeing to sell Lakelands.

“I am 74 now and I was seven years younger when I bought Lakelands,” he said.

“My golfing abilities are diminishing with age and I now play less often.”

And while Fujita admitted he had been hoping to keep the course in the family he had no fears the course would fall into disrepair under the new owners.

Chateraise Holdings boasts annual sales of $500 million. It also owns 14 golf courses, two ski resorts and two wineries in Japan.

It is believed the company plans to use the knowledge gained from operating its 14 Japanese courses to improve Lakelands in terms of the course, the clubhouse and service to members.

Lakelands members may also be given privileges at Chateraise’s courses in Japan.

Chateraise sells its desserts, cakes and confectionary through 450 stores across Japan and also has a European operation.

Lakelands opened to much fanfare in 1997 and has now had four owners and become a private members’ club.

Fujita bought the Lakelands course and clubhouse for $12 million in 2006 and although the property was reported to be on the market in November, that was denied by management in a letter to members.

Two other privately owned Gold Coast courses have been on the market – The Glades at Robina and the Links at Hope Island.