Avalon Golf & Country Club in Lenoir City was sold at
auction Thursday, but those who use the 150-acre
facility will be able to keep doing so as they have
before, the new owner announced.
Tony Hollin, chairman, president and CEO of
Knoxville-based EdFinancial Services placed the winning
bid of $814,000 for the property, said Rob Strickland,
vice president of real estate for Furrow Auction Co.
After winning the bid, Hollin asked to approach the
microphone and address the crowd, Strickland said.
“He announced in front of everyone that it was his
intention to work with the homeowners to continue the
operation of the golf course and make it even more
successful than it has been,” Strickland said.
Hollin could not be reached Thursday for comment.
Strickland said a key goal in the auction for owners of
the property and area homeowners was to find a buyer who
would continue operating the golf and country club.
“There was a huge crowd there of people who were
interested in the golf course, people who live in the
area and those who golf there,” Strickland said. “Tony
put everyone at ease. When he finished his announcement,
he got a standing ovation.”
The property, which was last appraised at more than $3.7
million according to Loudon County property assessor
documents, has been in a holding company for heirs of
the owners since 2011. The 18-hole golf course was
founded in 1996 by developers Paul Gillenwater and David
Burleson. The developers have owned it since, but
Gillenwater died in 2005 and Burleson in 2012.
In 2011, Burleson Gillenwater and Associates, an LLC
associated with the developers, acquired the property
and has been holding it since. Strickland said the goal
of the developers’ families was to find another
owner-operator as no one was available to run the
business.
The golf course was designed by architect Joe Lee and
has a four-star rating from Golf Digest magazine. It is
a par 72 course and has a practice facility with a
driving range and putting green. The property also has a
10,489 square-foot building that houses a pro shop and
restaurant.
Strickland said the golf course and country club will
continue operating as the purchase of the property is
finalized so “there will be as smooth a transition as
possible.”
Hollin has been active in a number of community and
professional organizations. In 2011, he and EdFinancial
were awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee Area
Council Children Are Reason for Excellence (C.A.R.E.)
award for contributions to the quality of life for
at-risk youth.
He was a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of
2006, and has been active with the Knoxville Business
Association, Nucleus Knoxville, Student Outreach
Services, Education Finance Council and other
organizations.