A popular central Pennsylvania golf course could close after its ownership group agreed to sell the property for $45.6 million. The Dauphin Highlands Golf Course will be replaced by a data center, pending infrastructure approvals and an official sale.The Dauphin County General Authority, which has owned the nearly 250-acre course since 1993, said the sale will pay off the course’s $13 million debt.“We decided to put out a request for proposals, to test the waters and see what the value would be,” said Eric Epstein, a board member for DCGA and the Central Dauphin School District.The RFPs, issued in February, received six data center-centric responses, with the winning bid coming from Harrisburg I, LLC, owned by Dallas-based Provident Realty.“There are variables associated with this process. They need to get water. They’re going to need to get power. They need to get a highway occupancy permit, navigate land use,” said Epstein. “What occurs first is a due diligence to see if the land is suitable.”If these requirements are met, the course will officially be sold and operate through Dec. 31, 2027. Multi-year members of the golf course expressed disappointment over the decision.“For us, it’s going to hurt us because it takes away one more golf course that’s closing. So then we’ll have to look elsewhere,” said David Royals, a member since 2017. “As a member, no, we don’t want to lose this.”“We’ll just keep playing golf here until the day they shut the door on us,” said Anthony Dodaro, a four-year member.The authority stated that while the course brings in 50,000 rounds annually and breaks even, its debt stems from years of upgrades.“They keep referring to this course being in debt. We can’t figure out how a golf course putting out 60,000 rounds a year could possibly be anywhere close to being in debt,” said Dodaro, who believes 20,000 rounds is the break-even point.Epstein noted that the data center could bring tax benefits to the county, state, school district, and residents.“We know people would prefer that we don’t sell it, but we’re trying to balance the greater good,” said Epstein.The DCGA confirmed that the sale is not guaranteed and depends on the completion of due diligence and infrastructure development. Harrisburg I, LLC has not yet provided designs or cost estimates for a potential data center after News 8 requested it Thursday morning.

SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. —

A popular central Pennsylvania golf course could close after its ownership group agreed to sell the property for $45.6 million. The Dauphin Highlands Golf Course will be replaced by a data center, pending infrastructure approvals and an official sale.

The Dauphin County General Authority, which has owned the nearly 250-acre course since 1993, said the sale will pay off the course’s $13 million debt.

“We decided to put out a request for proposals, to test the waters and see what the value would be,” said Eric Epstein, a board member for DCGA and the Central Dauphin School District.

The RFPs, issued in February, received six data center-centric responses, with the winning bid coming from Harrisburg I, LLC, owned by Dallas-based Provident Realty.

“There are variables associated with this process. They need to get water. They’re going to need to get power. They need to get a highway occupancy permit, navigate land use,” said Epstein. “What occurs first is a due diligence to see if the land is suitable.”

If these requirements are met, the course will officially be sold and operate through Dec. 31, 2027. Multi-year members of the golf course expressed disappointment over the decision.

“For us, it’s going to hurt us because it takes away one more golf course that’s closing. So then we’ll have to look elsewhere,” said David Royals, a member since 2017. “As a member, no, we don’t want to lose this.”

“We’ll just keep playing golf here until the day they shut the door on us,” said Anthony Dodaro, a four-year member.

The authority stated that while the course brings in 50,000 rounds annually and breaks even, its debt stems from years of upgrades.

“They keep referring to this course being in debt. We can’t figure out how a golf course putting out 60,000 rounds a year could possibly be anywhere close to being in debt,” said Dodaro, who believes 20,000 rounds is the break-even point.

Epstein noted that the data center could bring tax benefits to the county, state, school district, and residents.

“We know people would prefer that we don’t sell it, but we’re trying to balance the greater good,” said Epstein.

The DCGA confirmed that the sale is not guaranteed and depends on the completion of due diligence and infrastructure development. Harrisburg I, LLC has not yet provided designs or cost estimates for a potential data center after News 8 requested it Thursday morning.