Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club in Palmetto sold, to reopen in October

PALMETTO -- On the Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club website, golfers will find a farewell notice from the family who owned the property for 23 years.

As of Thursday, the Cueto family closed a deal for an undisclosed amount to pass on the legacy of their Palmetto golf club.

"It is with a somewhat bitter-sweet heart we now say goodbye and hand over the reigns of Imperial to the Zelnik family," the online letter reads. The Cuetos extend "thank yous" to golfers and club staff before signing off with a message of gratitude.

"We are thankful to have known you all and feel lucky to have met some real characters over the last 23 years!"

The 58-acre property at 9680 Buffalo Road will now be managed by Noah Zelnik, his wife Samantha Zelnik, his father Martin Zelnik and his brother Bryan Zelnik. The Cuetos inherited the property from family patriarch Agustin Cueto, who took over the property in the summer of 1993.

The Zelniks aim to reopen the course as the Moccasin Wallow Golf Club on Oct. 1.

Noah Zelnik, according to an email release, has a decorated history in the golf world. He's been a caddy and played as a professional in Professional Golfers' Association tours. In the past, he worked at The Concord Monster Golf Club, the Grossingers Country Club and the Nevele Grande Country Club. The family did not purchase the course to sell it off again in a few years, he said.

"We're strictly in this for the game of golf," Noah Zelnik said. "It's go

ing to be a totally different animal than what it's been in the past." The Zelniks will raise rates, though he said the increases will not be "astronomical" and will be competitive with other area courses. The rounds will cost $5 to $10 more during season.

"What this golf course needs is to be on par again with the homes that are surrounding it," he said.

Noah Zelnik said he has "never been a fan of management companies" and believes organizations with close, personable management last longer. He's retained some employees from Imperial Lakewoods that were long-time maintenance staff and also hired George Mackanos. Mackanos was previously employed at Gator Creek Golf Club in Sarasota and will be the Moccasin Wallow superintendent.

Legendary Southeast High football coach Paul Maechtle, who has since retired and is an assistant coach at Cardinal Mooney, has lived on the course since 2006.

"We've had to go play golf at other places," Maechtle said. He and his wife Barb have used reciprocal playing privileges with other local courses or with summer discount cards. And this year will be the same since Imperial Lakewoods closed on April 29.

"There was always that concern that a developer would return the property into something that wasn't what we would've wanted, which is homes and stuff like that," Maechtle said. "We're happy that somebody with a golf background that is as extensive as Noah's has indicated that he wants to keep it a golf course, continuing status quo and beyond."

Janelle O'Dea, business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095 or follow her on Twitter @jayohday.

Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017 or via email at jdill@bradenton.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason__Dill.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club in Palmetto sold, to reopen in October ."