Some complain about the course condition and management style.
By BRANT JAMES
Published June 13, 2003
SPRING HILL - The latest of several banishments from Seven Hills Golfers Club has left a grumbling segment of its membership even more discontent and prompted some to say they will not renew their contracts in January.
Arthur Carlsen, 72, a member since he bought a home off the course's 12th hole 10 years ago, was escorted from the property June 6 after his membership was revoked for improper conduct. Hernando County sheriff's deputies responded to a call for a notice of eviction from club general manager Jim Kahanyshyn about 1 p.m., according to department records, and escorted Carlsen to the parking lot without incident.
"It was very embarrassing," Carlsen said. "A lot of us are unhappy, but maybe I was chosen because I spoke up."
Carlsen said the ejection was prompted because he confronted Kahanyshyn on June 3 about what he and other members consider deteriorating conditions at the course. Kahanyshyn confirmed the exchange and agreed with Carlsen on every detail, except that he thought Carlsen got "hot and heavy" and was overly aggressive.
Kahanyshyn, 35, runs the course for Lemkco Florida, whose majority owner is his father, Michael, 65. The company also owns Spring Hill Golf Club.
"If I had terminated (Carlsen's membership) without cause, it would have been something different," Jim Kahanyshyn said. "But he initiated all the action and kind of got himself suspended. He really did it to himself."
Michael Kahanyshyn, who is based in Toronto, manager and golf professional Jason Nelson and the deputies met Carlsen when he was informed his membership had been revoked.
Carlsen approached Jim Kahanyshyn between rounds of a men's club outing June 3 to complain about conditions on two of the front nine greens. When Kahanyshyn informed Carlsen that he had assumed head groundskeeper duties from Jim Basey, Carlsen asked if he was qualified, sparking a heated exchange.
"He said it was under control, and I said "What control?' " Carlsen said. "With that, he jumped up out of his chair and said, "Get the (expletive) out of my office,' bumped me and said it twice more. Then I stuck my finger and said he better get back or he'd have this 72-year-old man all over his case."
Carlsen's case underscores a growing unhappiness among some members, who pay as much as $1,800 per year in husband/wife dues.
Part is due to the condition of the course, and the departure of Basey - who could not be reached Thursday - has exacerbated the problem. Kahanyshyn says Basey quit and will be replaced by Tom Dawson, a member of his grounds crew.
"The traps are terrible," said member Jack Reynolds. "And in some cases they use the same holes for five days straight. It's really run down."
Another source of consternation is the perception the Kahanyshyns do not care about the membership.
"(Jim Kahanyshyn) holds the membership in total disdain," Reynolds said.
Seven Hills' parking lot was nearly full on Thursday, but among the customers were more unhappy members. Bob Shuler, a member for a year who lives in the nearby Wellington development, said he will not renew his membership in January.
"A lot of people aren't going to renew," he said. "A lot of people have gone in to complain and they don't listen. I think (Jim Kahanyshyn) knows he runs the place and that's that."
Shuler cited a removal of amenities such as coffee in the clubhouse and said coupons give non-members a better deal than he and the 120 or so members. Kahanyshyn said his market research shows that heavily discounted winter rates make membership a good deal.
The perception that ownership is unresponsive has been bolstered by stern justice. Kahanyshyn confirmed he banned a customer after an argument with him about turning on fans to remove cigarette smoke from the clubhouse. He said the customer used improper language during the dispute.
Ken Husuliak, a part-owner of Seven Hills, is also banned from the property after a business dispute, Kahanyshyn said. Husuliak could not be reached Thursday.
"He retired a couple years ago and it's best not to have him here," Jim Kahanyshyn said. "We're trying to make a transition."
- Brant James can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com
