Jack Nicklaus’s idea of golf courses within state parks abandoned – Golf update
A bill filed last week which called for building no less than five golf courses in State Parks all over Florida was quickly abandoned in the wake of growing public outburst. Senator John Thrasher of St. Augustine and Republican Patrick Rooney of West Palm
Beach were of the view that the state should have a few more modern and well designed Golf courses within the state parks. They were not just asking for any design but specifically Jack Nicklaus designed courses.
The move was initiated by Nicklaus himself when he presented the idea to Governor Rick Scott during their meeting. Nicklaus had been reportedly lobbying for the idea to be approved. It was more of an attempt of leaving a legacy behind than any of the monetary
benefits because Jack Nicklaus & Co. had already offered a sizeable reduction of their cost of designing the courses. Nicklaus’s company normally charges $2.5 million per course but the 71-year-old veteran has decided to waive the fee for the Jonathan Dickinson
State Park course in particular and to do the rest of them for $625,000 per course.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill was that the courses were to be designed within the state park, which is an unprecedented move. These courses were to have hotels and club houses and were not to be subjected to local laws that prohibited
liquor sales. Many environmentalists and wildlife conservationists had already rejected the idea, citing it as a threat to the natural resources of the state.
The final blow to the bill came on Sunday when Nicklaus’s celebrated golf compatriot spoke against the idea and termed it as an attempt to monopolize the sport in the state. Arnold Palmer had also indicated earlier that in case the bill is approved, it would
be important that all parties at stake should be considered for the contract and not just Jack Nicklaus & Co. An email from Arnold Palmer Design and Co. late Friday read, “Being a fan of golf as a tool for tourism...we do feel that there are alternative options
than using our state parks for ‘new’ golf course development,”
The news of a possible lobbying for the bill by Nicklaus was first reported in a blog which named it “the worst idea ever”, resulting in raging public outcry. Florida Audubon Society also showed its disapproval for the idea and the bill was later rejected.
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