Time for somebody else to take it to the next level, says Jodi Armstrong
Three years after purchasing the historic golf course in Norway Bay, Astra Estates owners Jodi Armstrong and John Edelman are looking to sell the property.
“We would like to sell it so it will continue to grow. But I think at this point, we’re proud of what we’ve done,” Amstrong told THE EQUITY, noting that the business has been listed for sale since late May and that club members have been informed.
Armstrong, born and raised in Shawville, explained they had originally purchased the property in 2021 in the hopes of converting it into a cottage.
But after learning about the history and the significance of the golf course, which was built in 1930, they decided to breathe new life into the building which had been dormant since its closure in 2018.
“Most of the people in this area have been golfing here since they were children,” Armstrong said. “[Norway Bay] is an area where people are passing cottages down from generation to generation, right? So there’s . . .
definitely a soft spot for this golf course.”
Armstrong said the golf course was in rough shape when they purchased it, and that they spent the first year renovating the course to make it operational.
The golf course officially reopened in May 2022. At the time, Astra Estates had five lines of business: a convenience store, an event centre, a café, a driving range and the golf course.
Over the years, Armstrong and Edelman have renovated the estate’s clubhouse and events centre, as well as installed a new pro shop and driving range.
“It was a field when we came so we had to cut back everything, replant all of the greens,” Armstrong said. “What we’ve been told is the course is better than it has ever been [ . . . ] A lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone into it.”
Armstrong said since opening the golf course, Astra Estates has seen consistent growth.
“Our first year we were just getting the word out. And the second year was stronger. This year, the trajectory for the business is very promising.” she said.
Armstrong said they’re hoping to sell to someone who can add to the work they’ve already put into the golf course over the last three-and-a-half years, pointing out that the golf course holds the potential to provide ‘stay-and-play’ hotel-like accommodations for golfers.
“We’ve really taken it as far as we can take it. We know that there’s so much more opportunity here,” Armstrong said. “This might be the swan song, and it might be time for somebody else to take it to the next level.”
