Wyckoff Country Club to transition into residential community

Good evening and thanks for joining us for 22 News at 6. I'm Ciara Speller and I'm Christina Demores. Changes are coming to Wyckoff Country Club, the owner announcing they will be transitioning the golf course into an upscale residential community. 22 News reporter Claire Overton joins us live in studio with reaction from golfers and one city counselor. Ciara and Christina Wyckoff Country Club as a golf course will be no more after November 1st. The land being proposed to develop into homes. It's a big change and a big proposal for the the area. Wyckoff Country Club is scheduled to become houses in what one city counselor is saying is the largest proposed subdivision in the city of Holyoke in decades. The owner, Cesar Ruiz, who purchased the golf course and surrounding land in February of 2025, said the announcement comes after a thorough strategic planning exercise to determine the highest and best use for the property. But for the golfers, they're sad to hear about the closure. I I found out while I was playing around the golf, so that was a little bit even more sad. But, yeah, no, you never want to hear about a golf course closing. The course falling under Ward 7 City Councilor Meg McGrath-Smith. She says she is seeing reaction from residents who are both for and against the change. I have heard, you know, reactions on both sides, but it is a huge shift to the area. Folks have concerns about traffic. They have concerns about environmental concerns. concerns. The property is 110 acres and for housing developments, each housing plot needs to be at least 20,000 square feet. So comfortably on the property here at Wyckoff Country Club, they can fit 126 single family homes. The land is already under the proper zoning to become residential houses, but the proposal will still have to go through the proper process within the city and the planning board. That includes infrastructure requirements. Folks are concerned about traffic on 141. I am as well. It may be that what comes back is the traffic study shows that infrastructure improvement needs to be done to 141 in order to allow an entirely new neighborhood to be formed off of it. McGrath-Smith said since it is the proper zoning for what they are initially proposing, nothing would come to the city council unless, for example, they want to add new roads for the neighborhood. As a result of the change, Wyckoff has announced all events on or after November 2nd are canceled, leaving potential weddings, tournaments, and events scrambling to find alternate accommodations. The question becomes, so what now? City Councilor McGrath-Smith said this is the beginning stage. A meeting this Thursday is a pre-application meeting so the department heads in the city get to hear the initial thoughts before a formal proposal is submitted to the city. 22 News will continue to follow the story as it all unfolds. Working for you, Claire Overton, 22 News.