Casselberry moving ahead to buy golf course for $2.2 million - Orlando Sentinel

CASSELBERRY --City commissioners Monday agreed to purchase the long-struggling Casselberry Golf Club for $2.2 million and likely have the city's parks and recreation department maintain and operate the golf course.

Casselberry city leaders said they realize that interest in the game has declined and golf courses across the region have either closed or are struggling financially.

But the 91-acre Casselberry Golf Club is such an integral part of the city's identity, they decided they'd rather see the property continue as a golf course in the short term than be converted to homes. It also will be a way to preserve a rare piece of undeveloped land in a heavily congested urban area.

"This isn't a moneymaker," Commissioner Colleen Hufford said. "But it [the golf course property] provides value to the community."

Built in 1947, the Casselberry Golf Club's fairways and putting greens wind their way through five residential neighborhoods just east of City Hall.

"The acquisition of the Casselberry Golf Club is not recommended as a business investment," City Manager Randy Newlon said before commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday to purchase the property. "Control of the course will allow for the preservation of a historic amenity that cannot be replaced."

Commissioner Andrew Meadows, who cast the dissenting vote, said he wants to see the golf course saved but not at that price.

"It is definitely an asset and important part of the city," Meadows said. "But I feel we're paying too high of a premium."

The owners of golf course say the club has been losing money since 2012. In 2013, for example, the course ran nearly $87,000 in the red. And since 2010, revenues have dropped by more than 33 percent.

Within the last eight years, four other golf courses in Seminole County have closed, including those in Winter Springs, Sabal Point, Rolling Hills and the Links at 434.

Casselberry would likely lose money owning and operating a golf course, according to a recent study by the National Golf Foundation commissioned by the city.

In 2012, owner Chad Barton told Casselberry leaders that the golf club is no longer profitable and said he was considering selling the land to a developer to build single-family homes.

But at a community meeting, hundreds of Casselberry residents packed into a school cafeteria to oppose the plan to convert the fairways and greens into rooftops and driveways.

City officials pointed to a 50-year deed restriction on the property dating back to 1973 that states if the golf course ever becomes "economically unfeasible," the owners will give the property to Casselberry. The city would then have to continue operating the land either as a golf course or as conservation without "man-made structures."

The deed restriction expires in 2023.

In the short term, the city is expected to continue operating the golf course. In time, though, the land could be converted to other public uses. The idea is to keep as much of the property as possible as open green space.

According to the approved purchase agreement, the city will pay Casselberry Golf Club $1.2 million, along with $98,105 in closing costs, up front. The city will then take possession of the property by Sept. 30, and either city staff or a private company contracted by the city would maintain and operate the golf course in the short term. City leaders said the course could be trimmed to 9 holes or converted to park space with trails.

"It's too, too soon to know," Newlon said. "We still have a lot to learn."

The remaining $1 million will be paid out in two annual installments of $500,000 each, according to city documents.

The purchase will include the land, along with an 11,000-square-foot building that houses a pro shop, snack bar, golf cart storage space and a maintenance area.

Casselberry currently receives about $2,000 a year in property-tax revenue from the golf course property.

A Central Florida municipality purchasing a golf course would not be unusual.

In 1996, an overwhelming majority of Winter Park voters approved buying the downtown Winter Park Golf Course. Supporters said they were willing to pay higher taxes to make the $8.1 million purchase to preserve the golf course which added to Winter Park's character.

The city of Orlando purchased Dubsdread Golf Course in 1978 for $1.2 million. That course currently operates at a profit to the city, Orlando officials said.

Sanford has owned the Mayfair Country Club since it was built in the early 1920s. However, the city has leased it to private companies to maintain and operate it over the years, including the New York Giants baseball team in 1949, according to city officials.

Casselberry Commissioner Sandra Solomon said it's important that Casselberry maintain the course's open area.

"Once that green space goes away, you cannot get it back," she said.

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