Dallas firm seeks liquor license for LI links

A Dallas-based company that operates private golf clubs has applied to the New York State Liquor authority to sell alcoholic beverages at three Long Island courses owned by the Plainview-based Holiday Organization, a move that some say suggests the company plans to buy the facilities.

ClubCorp, which according to its website -- clubcorp.com -- owns or operates more than 150 golf and country clubs in 25 states, the District of Columbia and two foreign countries, applied late last week to sell spirits at the Willow Creek Golf and Country Club in Mount Sinai, the Hamlet Golf and Country Club in Commack and at the Hamlet Wind Watch Golf Club in Hauppauge.

Michael Murphy, executive vice president of commercial services at Prudential Douglas Elliman on Long Island, said that, in general, applying for a liquor license is a firm signal a company intends to strike some sort of deal. "Applying is a pretty tight regimen," Murphy said. "You need to have all your ducks in a row. It's not an easy process."

Patty Jerde, a spokeswoman for ClubCorp, said "ClubCorp acquires clubs all the time, and until any transactions are finalized it's not our policy to comment."

Elliot Monter, president of the Holiday Organization, did not return calls seeking comment.

Kathleen Giamo, who runs a Melville-based real estate consulting firm, was the second homeowner to close at the Wind Watch, in 1998. Giamo said residents have been expecting a sale of the golf courses. "I don't see this as a negative as long as they [ClubCorp] maintain the course," Giamo said.