Cuts from schools to build golf courses

So much for the budget crunch. -cpg

From the Florida Tribune

by Christine Jordan Sexton

Florida could allow the construction of at least five golf courses on state park lands under a proposal filed Friday that will likely come under fire from environmentalists.

The golf courses would be named after golf legend Jack Nicklaus as part of the "Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail of Florida" and one of them would have to be located at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County. The legislation also states that all of the courses would have to be designed by Nicklaus Design, which has developed courses across the world.

Nicklaus, who is one of the most celebrated golfers in the history of the sport, met with Gov. Rick Scott in late January. News reports at the time mention that Nicklaus talked with Scott about "economic development" and that Nicklaus talked to the governor about how "golf can be involved."

The measures sponsored by Rep. Pat Rooney, R-West Palm Beach, and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, would also allow the golf course construction to be financed by revenue bonds issued by the state.

The argument behind the bill is that it would help boost the state's tourism industry.

The legislation even states that the "creation of environmentally sensitive public golf facilities can elevate the state's reputation throughout the United States as a premier golf destination capable of hosting major golf championships ... and the creation of public golf facilities designed by Jack Nicklaus is in the public interest and will serve as a tourism development project to increase the use of existing state parks."

Rooney's bill also makes it clear the golf courses could not be subject to any regulations by city or county governments and that the companies chosen to operate the golf courses would be eligible for alcoholic beverage licenses.

Each golf course would have to have a minimum of 18 holes, a practice course, a clubhouse and "may include" a hotel.

The measure will likely come under fire from environmental groups who will argue that land bought for environmental purposes should not be developed or used for other activities.

Originally published in the Florida Current - exclusively distributed via Lobbytools - Florida's Premiere Legislative and Media Monitoring Service.

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