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

Get Your Posters Ready!

I hope you are having a great summer and are ready to continue the fight for Recreation on the West End Golf Course (WEGC) property.

Your support of the West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) and Friends of West End (FOWE) has been instrumental in bringing the need for recreational green space in the west end of Gainesville to the attention of the Alachua County Planning Commission and the Alachua County Commissioners.

In April 2022, the Planning Commissioners recommended to not change the designation of “Recreation” of the WEGC in the Alachua County Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2019-2040.    The Alachua County Commission will make the final decision on whether the WEGC property will remain Recreation or Residential.  Be ready to attend and voice your opinion at the hearing.

In the coming weeks, we will be organizing a protest demonstration.  Get out your paints and poster board and be ready to join your neighbors.  

 Stay the Course   

Come out and support the movement to keep West End Golf Course zoned for recreation.

Please Be Ready!

The day before the scheduled hearing before the Alachua County Commission to determine if the West End Golf Course property would remain “Recreation” in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the zoning not be changed from Recreation to Residential, the developer requested a deferral until all five seats were filled.  Governor DeSantis appointed Raemi Eagle-Glenn to fill the vacancy.  She will be sworn in on June 28, 2022. 

Keep up with the news on Facebook, Word of Mouth and Nextdoor – Friends of West End (FOWE.   West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) news can be found at GoFundMe and westendcare.org.  As soon as a date for the hearing is announced, be ready to attend.  It is so important that you show up and speak up for a multi-generational, multi-use recreational greenspace for all to enjoy.

Stay the Course!

Three generations of Alachua County residents enjoying the green space at West End Golf Course.

Governor Appoints New Commisioner

Now that all five Commission seats are filled, be ready to show up, stand up, and speak up for Recreation. 

Gainesville attorney selected for commission.

STAY THE COURSE!

WECARE President Paul Hornby Publishes Guest Column in the Gainesville Sun

Check out Paul Hornby’s guest column in the Gainesville Sun Sunday, June 4, 2022.  “West End development needs to include adequate recreational opportunities.”

Join The Grass-Roots Movement For Multi-Use Space in Alachua County

Join the cause to keep West End Golf Course designated as recreational space.

Since July 23,2020 when the JBrown Professional Group submitted their application to Alachua County Planning and Zoning for developer Sayed Moukhtara, we have seen the developer withdraw an application and submit a new application.  The Planning Commission voted to keep the property Recreational in the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan 2019-2040.  The last step in the process was a hearing before the Alachua County Commissioners which was scheduled for May 24, 2022.  The developer requested and received a deferral hours before the hearing.      

There are 555 Facebook Friends of West End, 250 Nextdoor Friends of West End, 143 GoFundMe donors and followers and many other supporters who are not in a public group.  WECARE/FOWE are continuing strong against the development of the West End Golf Course property.  Please support our efforts by writing/emailing the Commissioners, keeping up with the news, encouraging your family, friends, neighbors to join our groups and spread the news of a multi-generational, multi-use Recreational green space for all to enjoy.

 Stay the Course

Developer Defers Application

At 10:35 this morning WECARE received the following email from Growth Management.

 “The applicant has requested that the item be deferred from tomorrow’s agenda.  It will not be deferred to a time certain as we cannot be sure when we will have another evening agenda free.  It likely will not be until after the summer.  Please let the members of your group know.  We will readvertise and send new mailers whenever it is rescheduled. 

 Thank you.

 -Jeff

Jeffrey L. Hays, AICP
Principal Planner
Growth Management
10 SW 2nd Avenue • Gainesville • FL • 32601
352-374-5249 (office)           

PLEASE NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law (F.S.119).
All e-mails to and from County Officials and County Staff are kept as public records. Your e-mail communications, including your e-mail address, may be disclosed to the public and media at any time.”

There will be NO meeting tomorrow to determine the fate of the West End Golf course property.  I cannot tell you how disappointed I am and surprised that the developer, Sayed Moukhtara, can defer indefinitely for the second time in two years.  This means that we will need to start all over again for thethird time.