05/10/06

Golf course shuts down

Wildflower Golf Course has shut down as developers prepare plans for a 331-unit development.

ENGLEWOOD -- For the last time Monday, golfers drove the fairways, sank birdie putts and yelled "fore" on Placida's Wildflower Golf Club.

The 79-acre golf course, situated on Placida Road, shut down this week as the developer prepares to submit plans for a 331-unit residential development.

Last month, Charlotte County commissioners unanimously rejected a request to change the golf course's Future Land Use Map designation from Parks and Recreation to General Mixed-Use.

At the April 4 meeting, however, commissioners warned that a residential project would likely be built on the site.

The property is zoned for multi-family housing.

Rani Ben-David, president GSR Capital Group, said at least one neighboring community is supporting his proposed residential project. Ben-David had planned to meet with other area residents Tuesday night and said because of the property's zoning, the golf course would someday be developed.

"(Commissioners) might not approve it this time, but they will approve it," he said.

Ben-David said the 24-year-old course was shut down in part because it was losing $100,000 to $200,000 a year. He warned that the grass would soon turn brown and the golf course would not be as pretty as surrounding residents are used to.

But Ben-David said he would maintain the course -- watering and cutting its grass -- if he received support from the county or residents.

"I'm not in the golf course business," Ben-David said. "I'm not going to take care of a golf course if they're not with us."

By GAVIN OFF