Read David Whitley’s analysis of the state of golf in Gainesville
WECARE responds to David Whitley’s humorous article in the Gainesville Sun 8/18/2022:
https://gainesvillesun-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=2184d6e3c_13485b6
Mr. Whitley,
I enjoyed reading your August 18th article regarding the sad state of affairs relative to golfing in the Gainesville area. I can relate to much of what you stated as I am an avid golfer who has lived in the community for over 35 years.
I did have one issue with the comment you made about West End; "There just wasn't enough business to keep the place going." Sadly, that is not the case and honestly a false narrative being made by the property owner and the potential developer who is currently under contract to purchase the property. That sale is contingent on a county comp land use designation change and zoning change as the property has always been designated as recreational.
Around 2016, the owner of West End turned over the day-to-day operations of the facility to his son. From that point on there were no investments made into the golf course, driving range, practice areas and clubhouse. There was never any interest to maintain the property as a golf course as the long- term strategy was to sell the property for development. It took about three years for the property to completely fall apart and become unplayable. When people stopped showing up, given the conditions, the owner simply stated that business was bad, interest in golf was fading and the only option was to sell for development. That was the genesis of this false narrative. Fact is he had offers to buy the property with the intent to keep it as a golf course but declined those offers as the potential for getting development dollars is significantly higher than recreation dollars.
There is tremendous interest and passion in the community to ensure that this property remains recreational. Many share a vision of a multi-use / multi-generational recreational property that would maintain some golf operations but add other recreational components such as a swimming center, walking trails, pickleball courts, dog park, and community center. Many of the community efforts and goals can be found at our website: West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) (westendcare.org)
Lastly, I couldn't agree more about your comment on youth golf. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with the Gator Junior Golf Association program (GJGA) over the past four years. GJGA was formed a few years ago with about 20 kids and has now grown to over 220 kids. There is tremendous interest in youth golf in this area. West End was a major location for our classes given its great location. Our hope is that West End can once again become the home of the GJGA.
In the very near future the Board of County Commissioners will be voting on whether or not to change the county comp plan (recreation to development) for the West End property to address the current development plan. That vote is tentatively scheduled for September 27th.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Paul Hornby
Dear Mr. Whitley,
The West End Golf Course was a profitable golf course until the out-of-town owner decided to let it run down to be sold to an out-of-town developer claiming golf was dead. Golf is not dead, in fact, golf has gotten more popular in the last three years.
Alachua County would find, if the zoning remains recreation, that the property could be a 9-hole lighted reasonably priced course. This course would be especially suited for instruction, senior golfers and a quick game for all ages and abilities. Add a driving range and a clubhouse/sports bar and the West End Golf Course not only would survive but thrive.
Join the West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) and Friends of West End (FOWE) to keep the golf course property zoning recreational.
Stephanie Phillips