Experience


Appraisal and Consulting Experience has involved most types of real estate, including commercial, industrial, single and multi-family residential and many special purpose properties. Major areas of concentration have been retail, office, distribution and lodging properties with a specialty in the valuation and analysis of golf course properties.

Additional experience has been developed in the area of recreational properties, development consulting analysis and appraisal review. Geographic areas served include 45 US states, the Caribbean and Canada. Completed over 2,500 golf property assignments. Clients include financial institutions, law firms, accounting firms, clubs, individuals and corporations. Hirsh has been president of Hirsh Valuation Group or its predecessors since 1980 and employed in the real estate appraisal profession since 1978. Finalist for Central Pennsylvania “Entrepreneur of the Year” award for 1992 in Real Estate Category. Additional real estate investment and development experience is outlined below.
  • Developer of Wren Dale GC, first private golf club in Harrisburg, PA in 40+ years, designed by Hurdzan-Fry and built by Landscapes Unlimited
  • Centre Square Office Building. 15,000 SF office building, Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
  • Prospect Plaza Shopping Center. 18,000 SF strip shopping center in York, Pennsylvania
  • Cherry Lane II. Historic Rehab of 7,000 SF office/retail project in York, Pennsylvania
  • Blue Mountain Place. 5.25 acres, development plan & land flip
  • Prospect Common Office Center. 10,000 SF office near Columbia, Pennsylvania
  • Oakview Office Campus. three-building 36,000 SF office in suburban Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  • Northwood Office Center 4,000± SF office condominium in suburban Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Certified in the following states: PA, FL, GA, SC, NY, MD, MI, VA, OH, NJ, AZ (Also temp. in NC, TX) Licensed Broker in PA, MD, VA, NY, DE, FL – Responsible for sale of over $125 million in golf property sales transactions, including:
  • Blue Mountain GC, PA
  • Links at Challedon, MD
  • Fairfax National GC, VA
  • Bear Creek GC, MD
  • Diamond Run GC, PA
  • River Downs GC, MD
  • Heritage Creek GC, PA
  • Hopewell Valley GC, NJ
  • Stone Harbor GC, NJ
  • Springwood GC, PA
  • Pebble Creek GC, SC
  • Whitetail GC, PA
  • Greystone GC, TN
  • Tattersall GC, PA
  • Augustine GC, VA
  • Blue Heron Pines GC, NJ
  • Broad Run GC, PA
  • Madison Green GC, FL
  • Hollow Brook GC, NY
  • Running Deer GC, NJ
  • Downingtown GC, PA

Publications

  • Club Director, Summer 2013, “Property Tax Assessments for Private Clubs, Key Issues to Consider.”
  • Real Estate Issues, Vol 38, Number 2, 2013, “Golf Courses and Tax assessments: Just One Right Way?.”
  • ASGCA “By Design” – “How Golf Supports its Communities”, Winter 2010-2011
  • NGCOA – How to Buy and Sell a Golf Course (appraisal and market analysis chapters (2009)
  • American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Journal – “Restructuring Golf Courses & Country Clubs”
  • Club Director (NCA) – “Membership Success, It’s all about Value” (March/April, 2009)
  • Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration – “Private Club Memberships, Real Property or Personal Property”, 2008
  • Club Managers Association of America – Management Series – “The True Cost of Renovations” (2008)
  • My PhillyGolfer.com – 2010, “Want to Grow the Game?”
  • The Board Room, 10-99, “Long Range Planning”
  • Urban Land, 8-99, “The Value of Signature Architects”
  • Golf Market Today, 2-95, “Seven Ways to Add Value to Your Golf Course”
  • The Appraisal Journal, 4-94, “Private Equity Country Club Communities – Issues & Answers”
  • Carolina Business, 4-94, “What Are Golf Courses Worth?”
  • New England Real Estate Journal, 3-25-94, “Golf Course Values Depend on I.G.P.”
  • San Diego Business Journal, 4-94, “Wall Street hits ace with golf investments”
  • Golf Course News, March, 1994, “Tis the Season for Tax Tips”
  • Club Director, November, 1993, “What Is Your Club Worth and Why Should You Know?”
  • Park/Grounds Management, Nov., 1993, “Consider a Golf Course as a Revenue Producer”
  • Public Management, June, 1993, “Par for the Course”
  • American City & County, April, 1993, “Golf Courses Offer Cash Flow Alternatives”
  • Pennsylvania Township News, January, 1993, “Well Planned Golf Course Can Be Excellent Revenue Opportunity for Townships”
  • The Appraisal Journal, January,’91, Golf Courses: Valuation & Evaluation
  • Editorial Review Board for Golf Courses & Country Clubs: A Guide to Appraisal, Market Analysis, Development and Financing
  • Co-Author for Urban Land Institute Book – Residential Golf Community Development