4 bidders vying for P.E.I. golf courses

The future of four provincially-owned golf courses in P.E.I. may lie in one of four companies left in the running to take them over.

The P.E.I. government is moving forward on its plans to sell off or lease the golf courses.

The province operates Mill River Golf Course, Rodd Brudenell River Resort, Dundarave Golf Course and the Links at Crowbush Cove — all four of which are tied to Rodd Resorts.

They were put up for sale last spring. The province initially received seven offers, but that list has now been whittled down to four.

"These are all companies that have a high degree of credibility in the golf industry," said Tourism Minister Rob Henderson. He said the companies were in Charlottetown last week to expand on their proposals.

"That's part of the process, that they have the ability to manage and run or operate or own these courses in a manner that would be befitting of the golf industry of P.E.I."

Henderson declined to name the companies that are interested. He said they all discussed the options of being a purchaser or leasing the sites.

"That's up to these organizations to come back with a more firmer proposal," he said.

This is not the first time the courses have been put up for sale. The last time was in 2009, with an estimated total price of around $40 million. But there was no interest and they were taken off the market.

Henderson said the courses are losing up to $1 million a year so the government wants out of the business. But he added the future of their maintenance is important, so the province won't be rushing into any deal.