Page 8 - Boca Club News - July '19

Page 8, Boca Club News
Council Corner: What You Should Know

About Boca Raton’s New Municipal Golf Course

Andy Thomson was elected during the 18 traditional holes, an 11-hole short course, a traditional keep them playing. As for time, if you ask most people
special City Council election in 2018. clubhouse, a golf school, and other elements. The total cost (particularly young parents), the reason they don’t play golf
There will soon be a new municipal of construction, as designed, is estimated to be $28 million. is because they don’t have four to five hours to play 18 holes.
golf course in Boca Raton. I feel Taking into account the purchase price of the land, this new Recognizing this, we should build 18 quality holes, but as
strongly that it should be golf for course would cost taxpayers a total of around $52 million. part of two creatively designed nine-hole courses, ideally by
the people--inclusive and affordable Given this cost, the Beach & Park District has proposed two sets of architects. That way, people who don’t have five
for all. Here’s how I want to make it greens fees in the range of $75-90 per round. hours to dedicate to 18 holes have an easy off-ramp after an
happen. Recognizing now that they cannot afford to construct hour or two, while those with more time can enjoy all 18.
Around the country, golf courses the course as originally designed, the Beach & Park District Time doesn’t have to be a barrier to enjoying golf, and a
are struggling. Many are closing, just as the Ocean Breeze recently asked the City to approve the Price/Fazio golf course Community Golf model can accommodate everyone.
Golf Course did here in Boca Raton several years ago. design and contribute $20 million toward its construction. With more amenities for non-golfers, more attractive
About a year ago, Boca Raton agreed to sell its municipal We’re now at a critical decision point. Should Boca Raton architecture for newer golfers, and quicker options for busy
golf course. Around the same time, an independent (or any city) spend a total of $52 million, and perhaps more, golfers, we can make this course more inclusive for everyone.
government body, the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park on a traditional golf course model that is dying, too expensive Better deal for the taxpayers and players. Not only is
District, purchased the defunct Ocean Breeze course for $24 for the average resident, and used by a only a small sliver of the $30 million price tag for the current design simply too
million. The Beach & Park District interviewed several golf taxpayers? much to spend on an amenity that will be used by relatively
course architects and ultimately selected Price/Fazio to design Since being elected late last year, I’ve spent a great deal few people, but it also creates another problem. The cost to
a new “championship” golf course. This design includes of time researching the future of golf. As a pretty lousy golfer play on such a course will be as high as $75-90 a round, which
myself, I’ve spent hours meeting and speaking with golf industry is more than the average resident can afford. As a member
experts, architects, analysts, and elected officials in cities with of the City Council with a duty to spend taxpayers’ money
Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth from page 7 successful municipal courses. All of this time and research wisely, I can’t accept that. We need to find ways to create a
has led me to conclude that there is a better way: let’s call it quality golf course for less. But how?
to contact your local member of Congress urging support the “Community Golf” model. This model, which has been One way would be by engaging talented, creative, up-
of the TRACED Act. successfully implemented in several municipal courses around and-coming golf architects. Architects who are looking to
Camino Real Bridge Due to Open. The $9 million the country, has two main benefits: golf that is more inclusive make a name for themselves, and who not only design the
structural restoration work on the Camino Real Bridge for all ages and skill levels, and a better deal for the taxpayers. course (creatively, as outlined above), but build it; they are
in Boca Raton is scheduled to be completed by mid- More inclusive for all ages. It’s easy to forget that a out there on the bulldozers shaping the holes themselves.
July. Work began in April 2018, after the historic bridge city-owned golf course is a park. It tends to be a relatively These experienced but up-and-coming architects charge far
was one of 14 in South Florida identified as structurally expensive park used by a relatively small subset of the less which, in turn, leads to lower development costs. Lower
deficient by the state. community, but it doesn’t have to be. The Community Golf development costs means a more efficient use of taxpayer
Due to its historic designation, there was a limit on the model recognizes that golf courses belong to everyone and dollars and lower fees for golfers, which in turn increases
type of aesthetic changes permitted. The most noticeable should have something to offer everyone. For example, rather the chances that the course will generate revenue over time.
change was the relocation of the bridge tender’s house on than a large and expensive clubhouse, Boca’s course should There is a recent case study of how these elements can
the north side. Also, the sidewalks have been widened, have a brewery and an outdoor meeting space for golfers and combine to create successful municipal golf: Winter Park 9.
providing extra room for cyclists and pedestrians. non-golfers to enjoy. There should also be free amenities, It, too, was a defunct golf course which that city revitalized. It
Changes Expected in Nonpartisan Elections. A such as a putting course and free rounds for kids/juniors to was designed by two up-and-coming architects. It was designed
recent Florida Supreme Court opinion found that county attract more people to the game. And we should retain some to be inclusive and playable with broad fairways, large greens,
constitutional officers’ elections cannot be nonpartisan. of the 200+ acres at Ocean Breeze as park space, walking and strategic bunkering. It includes a free putting course. Winter
Even though the ruling stemmed from an Orange County trails, or other creative uses of green space. All residents Park 9 now regularly ranks as one of the top municipal courses
case, Palm Beach County is impacted as its charter calls could enjoy a Community Golf course like this. in the country.
for nonpartisan elections for the office of sheriff, property Also, when golf experts discuss the decline in golf’s Most impressively, this quality product was developed
appraiser and supervisor of elections. popularity, they often point to two main factors: intimidating for only $1.2 million and costs only $19 to play. And the
In light of the Supreme Court’s action, the county difficulty and time. Golf has a well-deserved reputation for success of this course can be seen in the bottom line: It went
attorney issued an opinion stating that the Palm Beach being frustratingly difficult for beginners. Traditional golf from losing $250,000 a year to earning $100,000 a year.
County charter’s provisions providing for such elections course architecture---narrow fairways, water hazards--- I’ve discussed the Community Golf model and the success
are unenforceable as a matter of law. In other words, compound this initial intimidation factor. But the Community of Winter Park 9 with Winter Park’s mayor at length, and he
starting with the 2020 elections, the offices identified Golf model calls for more inclusive architecture of the could not be more passionate about how much this course
above will be partisan. All other offices continue to holes themselves---broader fairways, more short grass, improved their city and how that model is the future of
be held as set forth in the Florida Election Code. The fewer hazards---that makes the course more inviting for municipal golf.
practical result of this change is the likely need for newcomers, but still challenging for seasoned players with Inclusive for all ages and skill levels. A better deal for
primary elections for these offices in August 2020. large, undulating greens and strategic bunkering. taxpayers and players. That’s a golf course for the people,
A design like this would attract newer players and and one that I want to see here in Boca Raton.

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