SOUTHWICK -- The Southwick Select Board unanimously agreed to release its right of first refusal to purchase the Southwick Country Club property at 739 College Highway on Monday night.
The town had the right according to a law that allowed the course to receive a tax abatement in exchange for the right.
Owner William Najam, of Westfield, and soon-to-be owner Richard Fiore, of Fiore Realty Holdings LLC in Southwick, were on hand for the vote.
Fiore Realty Holdings is set to purchase the 122-acre property for $1.6 million. Not included in the sale is the Candlewood Inn restaurant, which Najam said he will try to sell separately after he works with the town to rezone the property for business.
"It's been in business as a restaurant I believe since 1928," Najam said.
Fiore said he believes keeping it as a restaurant would benefit the residents who will move there once his single-family home development is built on the property.
Fiore Realty Holdings is working with R. Levesque Associates architects on the project. Plans include building single-family homes on one-acre plots ranging in price from $280,000 to $380,000.
Najam said this is a bittersweet time for him.
"I have been in the golf course business in Southwick 33 years," he said. "We've had wonderful members and staff ... it's difficult for me to give it up, but it's time."
Najam said it has become "uneconomical" to keep the course open. However, he will still be involved in the golf business and is working on development of a golf resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in his semi-retirement.
Najam said he is confident the town is in good hands with Fiore, who said he will do right by Southwick.
"We will do what's good for the town and the people," he said.
Fiore said he has already begun preliminary work on the property, including surveying wetlands. He plans to have a design in the next month and begin working with town departments to be ready to start selling lots in spring.
Najam said Southwick Country Club will remain open "until the snow flies" and memberships will be honored through the end of the year.
When asked about his favorite memories at the Club, Najam said he could not choose just one or two.
"It's so hard to single out something specific," he said. "But some of our oldest and longest members are nearest and dearest to my heart - the same with staff."