Florida's Best Kept Secret Panther Woods

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (November 14, 1997) - Florida's best-kept secret has a new name and new owners. Panther Woods, formerly known as Meadowood, was recently purchased by WELP Golf Investment Ltd., a partnership of private investors, headed by Lothar Estein of Orlando. WELP has major plans for renovations and new developments for Panther Woods, which will be managed by Belz Enterprises, a Memphis, Tenn.-based real estate development company.

Panther Woods is an oasis of championship golf, first-class tennis and exquisite lifestyles. This exclusive southeast Florida community has an undiscovered feel of rural Florida with all of the amenities of a chic suburban community. People who visit Panther Woods are awed by the beauty and spirit of community and lifestyle.

Extensive renovations throughout Panther Woods took place after being purchased by WELP. Renovations include the interior and exterior of the clubhouse, which have been redesigned to incorporate elegance with comfort and practicality. The golf course has also been redesigned with fully renovated bunkers, fairway sculpturing and new distance markers andlogo flags. Last but not least, the club's staff has been reorganized to raise the level of customer service and maximize operational efficiency.

At the clubhouse, members enjoy kicking back at the 19th Hole snack bar, mingling at the more upscale snack bar or enjoying elegant private dining at one of St. Lucie County's best restaurants, featuring the culinary talents of Chef Rick Streeter. The multi-story clubhouse is also being remodeled to offer a more upscale and elegant atmosphere, although Panther Woods promises to savor the feel of the laid-back casual atmosphere for which south Florida is known.

The clubhouse offers full-amenity men's and women's locker rooms with spas and exercise rooms complete with the latest fitness equipment. Two pro shops are also available to provide the latest in men's and women's golf and tennis fashions and equipment. Adjacent to the clubhouse is the tennis center and pool with a covered veranda. The tennis center offers its own convenient snack bar and men's and women's locker facilities. The tennis courts are covered with first class Hard-tru clay surfaces. Panther Woods offers professional instruction in both golf and tennis.

The look of Panther Woods is clean and fresh with traditional Treasure Coast style homes. Panther Woods has a solid membership base with residents ranging from full-time families to "snowbirds," who migrate south to escape northern winters. There are 68 single-family homes, 42 golf course villas and several condominium complexes. Lake Shore Village is the largest, housing 72 condominium homes. Quail Run is made up of 48 condominium homes, and Whippoorwill has 36 exclusive condominiums. Golf course and lakeside home sites are now available for development in Panther Woods. Lot size will vary depending on the preference of the homeowner.

Panther Woods is just a stone's throw away from some of the country's most spectacular beaches. For the outdoorsman, the rural environment offers some of the best sport fishing and hunting in the state. Within a 30-mile radius, Major League Baseball fans have both the L.A. Dodgers and the N.Y. Mets during training camp and minor league baseball throughout the regular season. To satisfy art cravings, Ft. Pierce offers the Vero Beach Riverside Theater and Art Museum. The Kravis Theater in Palm Beach is only a 45-minute drive away. Whatever the taste, it can be found near Panther Woods.

Belz Enterprises is a leading innovator in real estate development with interests throughout the South and much of the country. Belz develops, owns and manages over 25 million square feet of industrial/warehouse/distribution centers, shopping centers, office buildings, mixed-use centers and corporate campuses. The company also owns a group of premier hotels including the Peabody Hotels in Memphis and Orlando and various suburban communities.

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