The Cursed Legacy of Rio Bravo Country Club
Nestled in the lush slopes of Bakersfield, California, the Rio Bravo Country Club has endured a turbulent and seemingly cursed existence since its debut in the 1970s. This prestigious property, built on land once owned by media personality Tucker Carlson's tycoon ancestor, has faced repeated struggles to stay open, with a revolving door of unsuccessful owners and recent scandalous closures.
A History of Setbacks and Ownership Turmoil
The club's latest chapter of misfortune unfolded in January when it closed following a messy and highly publicized divorce between former owners Jeremy Willer, 46, and Kim Willer, 40. Residents had initially been ecstatic when the couple took over in late 2023, years after a group of 13 Rio Bravo homeowners purchased the struggling club in May 2017 to preserve it and find responsible operators.
At the time, the Willers promised sweeping improvements to the long-neglected facility, which boasts dramatic natural topography and an eco-friendly golf course designed by renowned architect Robert Muir Graves in 1975. The property features multiple food vendors serving hungry golfers throughout the grounds, but disaster struck when a scandal broke out between the couple.
A barrage of allegations led to a divorce filing in late December, causing the club to close its doors. In February, the land was taken over by Jeremy's father, Randy Willer, who rebranded the club as Scarlet & Gray. This swift decision marked yet another chapter in the troubled history of the long-struggling country club, where owners have consistently failed to make the operation viable despite its 18-hole championship course and lush hillsides.
Roots in California's Cattle Kingdom
The property's troubled legacy dates back to the 19th century when land baron Henry Miller, known as the 'Cattle King of California,' owned 800,000 acres of land in the state. This vast territory stretched over what would become the Rio Bravo Country Club location. Both Tucker Carlson, 56, and journalist Nellie Bowles, 38, whose wife is CBS News boss Bari Weiss, are descendants of Miller.
However, it was Miller's great-grandson, George Nickel Jr., who made Rio Bravo possible through the creation of the California Aqueduct with the help of Governor Pat Brown in the mid-1960s. This monumental project funneled water from the Sierra Nevada to irrigate the Central Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, triggering rapid agricultural expansion and population growth across California.
Amid this boom, Nickel built an upscale resort along the Kern River in 1975 to entertain prominent friends and guests. According to a 1976 San Francisco Examiner story by society columnist Albert Morch, these guests included legendary restaurateur Claude Rouas, founder of Napa Valley's iconic Auberge du Soleil, and San Francisco socialite Frances McAteer, wife of former California State Senator Eugene McAteer who served from 1959 to 1967.
Financial Collapse and Decades of Struggle
Nickel's ambitious vision crumbled when he filed for bankruptcy in 1985 after approximately $30 million in short-term loans secured against the resort failed to convert into long-term debt. Banks refused to extend the financing, as reported in a 1985 article in The Modesto Bee. Wells Fargo took over to satisfy the debt, triggering decades of shifting ownership with each consecutive buyer presenting plans to revitalize the grounds.
In 1991, the resort closed, and its golf course began operating as a private country club. Konny Boyd purchased it in 1996, adding an open-air pavilion with intentions to transform the club into a senior community. However, her plans were blocked by residents, and she sold the property in 2006 to Los Angeles-based investors David and Sue Lo.
The Los also failed to find success and sold the resort to a Texas-based developer who redeveloped it into 170 separate residential units. The golf course and clubhouse were given to the group of 13 homeowners who banded together in May 2017. One representative, Randy Steinert, told SFGATE in 2022 that they were looking for a new owner to 'restore it,' unlike previous owners who left their backyards ruined.
Recent Scandals and Legal Troubles
The property was listed for merely $4.9 million in July 2022, including the 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, and 22 developable lots. While the full acquisition price paid by the Willers in late 2023 was not widely publicized, a specific parcel at the club's address was recorded as sold for $750,000 on Realtor.com on December 15, 2023.
The Willers' ambitious plans included renovations to the golf course, new structures, a clubhouse overhaul with a revamped menu featuring pizzas from a new wood-fired oven, barbecue, and local vendors, as reported by The Bakersfield Californian in 2023. These aspirations were abruptly halted in the spring of 2025 when the couple separated.
In March 2025, Jeremy was arrested after police responded to a domestic violence call at their home. Kim alleged he had given her a bloody nose and cited concerns about his drinking, according to KGET-TV in January. He was charged in April with two misdemeanor counts: battery on a spouse and battery on a person. Kim later filed for divorce on December 23.
Public records show Jeremy is embroiled in four legal actions pending against him, including two breach of contract lawsuits and a wrongful termination suit in which Kim is also named. The estranged couple's next court hearing is listed for March 17.
Current Operations and Uncertain Future
Meanwhile, the club's newly rebranded Instagram shows golfers continuing to enjoy the 18-hole course, with monthly family memberships priced at $575 and regular memberships at $475. Visitors have sampled offerings from local vendors, including Primos Smoked BBQ and McFarland Taqueria. However, the club's restaurant remains closed as further renovations appear to be underway.
Jeremy and Randy Willer did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment, nor did Jeremy's lawyer, David Torres. The Rio Bravo Country Club's story continues to unfold, blending California history, celebrity ancestry, and modern scandal in a saga that shows no signs of reaching a peaceful resolution.
