Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater has been purchased by a joint venture of golf industry veterans, according to a company statement.

The deal involves a newly formed group called Private Golf Club Management LLC, which includes the owners of Fore Golf Services, a Virginia based company, and HBT Golf LLC of Dallas.

Fore Golf Partners Inc., a Manassas, Va.-based company, owns 13 other courses in Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. In 2007 the company bought Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club and Bayou Club in Largo, Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor and Northdale Golf Club in Tampa for more than $20 million from Crown Golf Properties.

Mike Miraglia, president of Fore Golf, would not disclose the Feather Sound purchase price on Friday. He said the company would make at least $500,000 in capital improvements over the next year, including redoing the courses and chipping green, as well as clubhouse updates.

The par 72 course opened in 1978.

Feather Sound will remain private, Miraglia said.

Current economic conditions create a strong environment to acquire golf course as club owners and lenders seek liquidity, he said.

"We are always looking in the Florida market,” he said. "There are not other properties on our radar right now, but if it fits our model for location and revenues we will pursue it.”