Cimarron: The Big Gamble
The city of Mission and the Mission EDC took a risk when they held a press conference on June 19 to announce they had a buyer for Cimarron Country Club, as they didn’t formally close the land deal until almost two weeks later.
The Progress Times requested documentation on June 23 to verify the sale and the amount paid by the buyer New Cimarron Group, LLC.
A warranty deed provided by MEDC shows it was filed with the Hidalgo County Clerk on July 1 at 4:19 PM, eight days after a reporter asked multiple times to see the sale documents which are public information.
In Texas, warranty deeds are recorded at the clerk’s office by the title company after it receives the funding from the buyer, which could mean New Cimarron Group did not send payment until July 1. Marilyn De Luna at Valley Land Title declined to comment on the status of the sale, when contacted by the Progress Times.
Individuals close to the project say a payment of $2.4 million was received by the MEDC on July 1 and then transferred to the city on July 2. The MEDC paid for closing costs, which lowered the final amount received, a source said.
Both entities chipped in $2.5 million to buy Cimarron last year for $5 million.
On the evening of July 1, Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said that the payment had been received.
“It has been funded, the funds have been received by the EDC,” Gonzalez Garza said. “The city will now be reimbursed.”
Gonzalez Garza, who is a real estate agent by trade, said there were no issues with the sale of the golf course.
“Sometimes that takes a little bit,” Gonzalez Garza said. “That’s all I know, all I can say from experience. I have been made aware that the EDC is in possession of the funding, and it should have been recorded.”
New Cimarron Group, LLC was formed on May 27, according to records it submitted to the Texas Secretary of State. The sole name on the LLC filing is Carlos Bauza, who listed an apartment in Pharr as his residential address on the formation records. New Cimarron Group is associated with Smart Pecunia LLC, which leads back to Bauza as well.
The city lauded professional golfer Abraham Ancer and other golf organizations that attended the press conference as being part of the investor group working to revitalize Cimarron Country Club, and their names do not appear on the Texas documents. Both New Cimarron Group and Smart Pecunia are incorporated in Delaware and are not required to list individual members of the companies.
Details regarding the expected improvements at Cimarron have come to light with documents listing the requirements to be met by New Cimarron Group: the property must retain the name Cimarron Country Club and the investment group must spend at least $10 million to redevelop the golf course, clubhouse renovation, fitness center, swimming pool, pro shop, tennis courts, a restaurant and the construction of a 30-40 room boutique hotel.
The golf course must be at least 18 holes and be eligible for hosting high-level tournaments for the PGA, NCAA and other organizations.
Until such time as the upgrades begin, New Cimarron Group is responsible for maintenance and is required to mow the golf course regularly and keep the course free of trash and debris.
The improvements for the golf course and the clubhouse and other amenities must be within 180 days of the date of the sale date. The investment group then has two years to complete construction and improvements.
If New Cimarron Group fails to complete the upgrades and repairs, the MEDC can intervene to complete the project and then gain reimbursement from the owner, documents show. In addition, if the new Cimarron owners fail to conduct maintenance, such as cutting the grass, MEDC reserved the right to access the property to complete the upkeep.
