Collier County commissioners have recently approved a long-term lease and operating agreement that paves the way for the reopening of the Golden Gate golf course in Naples, Florida. After BigShots backed out of their plans to build a golf entertainment center on the county-owned land, a newly formed charity, The Gate Golf Club Inc., stepped in with an offer and won a competitive bid in mid-December. The nonprofit, formed by the Schmieding family behind Arthrex, a global medical device manufacturer, will design, build, and operate the community project through a public-private partnership.
The county will contribute $6 million towards the redevelopment of the golf course, matching the amount promised to BigShots before their plans fell through. The new golf complex will feature a nine-hole course, driving range, practice area, full-service restaurant, pro shop, cart barn, and maintenance building. The Gate will also sublease a portion of the land to First Tee for the development of a clubhouse to support youth development programs.
The partnership with First Tee, a youth development organization supported by Arthrex, will include a golf learning center to introduce kids to the sport and help develop their character and core values. Discounts will be offered to county residents on rounds of golf, making the sport more affordable and accessible to the community. The Gate will pay a base rent of $130,000 annually to the county, with adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.
The project is expected to bring many benefits to the community, including boosting the local economy, enhancing green space, and increasing golf access. Construction plans for the project must be approved by the county commission within six months, with completion targeted within two years. The golf course could potentially open in the fall of 2025, with an estimated development cost of $21 million.
Neighbors in the area expressed support for the project, eager to see the course brought back to life by Arthrex. Commission chairman Rick LoCastro highlighted the opportunity the project presents, with the involvement of Arthrex’s founder, Reinhold Schmieding, and the potential for the golf complex to become a model for the country. Commissioner Burt Saunders, who championed the project, expressed his delight and thanked the commission for their support.
The proposal by The Gate received praise for its inclusion of First Tee and its potential to benefit the entire county. The involvement of First Tee is seen as a positive aspect that will make the project fantastic and serve as a model for others to follow. Despite the disappointment of the deal falling through with BigShots, the improved offer and involvement of First Tee are seen as major positives for the community and the project as a whole.
Overall, the approval of the lease and operating agreement represents a significant step towards the revitalization of the Golden Gate golf course and the surrounding community. The project has the potential to bring various benefits to the residents of Collier County, including increased access to golf, economic growth, and enhanced green space. With support from key stakeholders such as Arthrex and First Tee, the golf complex is poised to become a valuable asset for the community and a model for future developments.
