Mill Quarter Plantation Golf Course to be sold to local developer

Mill Quarter Plantation Golf Course in Powhatan is under contract to be sold to an unnamed local developer, according to a June 9 letter from owner Diane Daniels. The course is expected to cease golf operations by late October following the deaths of founder David K. Daniels and his son, David Patrick Daniels.

The sale involves the Mill Quarter Development Corp., which holds 307 acres for the golf course and an additional 68 adjacent acres, including the Links of Mill Quarter residential neighborhood. The land is zoned R-2 for single-family residential development and was most recently assessed by the county at $1.7 million.

Did You Know? Founder David K. Daniels was a member of the Ohio State University golf team, where he played as a teammate of Jack Nicklaus.

Why is Mill Quarter Plantation Golf Course being sold?

Owner Diane Daniels stated in her letter that the family is no longer able to operate the business following two recent deaths. David K. Daniels, who founded the course in 1974, died Oct. 14 at age 86.

His son, David Patrick Daniels, who served as general manager for four decades, died of cancer on June 8, 2025, at age 59. The younger Daniels had worked at the family business since he was 12 years old, according to his obituary.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the R-2 zoning of the 375 total acres creates a significant incentive for residential conversion. When a family-operated legacy business loses its primary management, the transition from a daily-fee course to a housing development often becomes the most viable financial path for heirs.

What happens to the course next?

The course remains open for business for now, but golf operations are likely to end in late October. The letter describes the buyer as a “Powhatan native and land developer who shares a lifelong passion for golf.”

Mill Quarter Plantation Golf Club

The final use of the land may depend on the new owner’s goals. The property could continue as a golf facility, or it may be developed for housing, according to the letter posted by Daniels.

How does this fit into local golf trends?

The sale of Mill Quarter is part of a broader shift in local golf course ownership. At least three other nearby courses are currently under contract or listed for sale.

Independence Golf Club: Set to be purchased by the Northern Virginia-based Heritage Golf Group.
The Crossings: Under contract to be sold by Henrico County to North Carolina-based McConnell Golf for a pro-tournament-caliber renovation.
Magnolia Green Golf Club: Recently listed for sale with an asking price of $6.75 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Mill Quarter cease golf operations?
The owner anticipates operations will end at the conclusion of the season, likely in late October.

Who is the prospective buyer of the course?
The buyer is not named but is described as a Powhatan native and land developer.

What is the zoning status of the Mill Quarter property?
The land is zoned R-2, which allows for single-family residential development.

Do you think local golf courses should be preserved as green spaces or transitioned into residential housing?