Beverly Golf & Tennis Club deal 'very close'

By Paul Leighton
Staff writer

Tue, May 13 2008

—

BEVERLY — A deal that would result in new management at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club is "very close," according to one of the lawyers involved in the negotiations.

Steve Follansbee, who represents Johnson Golf Management, said he expects a resolution by Monday to a three-way deal involving his client, the city and the prospective new manager.

"My expectation is that it will get done," Follansbee said yesterday.

The city-owned club on McKay Street is now managed by Johnson Golf Management under a contract that has two years left to run. But the company's president, Douglas Johnson, and the city have both declared each other in default for various alleged violations of the agreement.

The two sides met with a mediator last week and have been working toward a deal that would allow Bass River Tennis Club owner Manny Barros to take over as manager. Barros' club ran the tennis portion of the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club last summer.

Mayor Bill Scanlon said yesterday there has been "a lot of discussion" but declined to comment further on the negotiations.

The club's 18-hole golf course opened for the season last week.