Since the battle over Walden Lake Golf and Country Club and its two golf courses began nearly a year ago, Walden Lake residents opposing redevelopment of the property have been clamoring for a new owner to take over their community’s primary amenity.
Last week, they learned there is, indeed, a buyer for the property. However, the sale is pending Plant City Commission approval of a rezoning request that would allow residential development on parts of the existing golf courses.
Visions Golf LLC, current owner of the country club and golf courses, revealed the buyers during the Walden Lake Community Association’s Annual Meeting April 10, at Plant City Church of God.
“Visions Golf has come to terms with Bridgepoint Capital to purchase the entire golf course property,” Visions Golf Managing Partner Steve Mercer told the standing-room-only crowd.
Two Bridgepoint Capital principals — developer Curtis Crenshaw and golf pro Jimmy Wright — addressed the residents, beginning what they know will be a long, arduous road to win over Mercer’s toughest critics. But, they hope their respective bodies of work, coupled with relentless transparency and open communication, ultimately will yield a better country club, five-star golf and, yes, even higher property values.
However, some residents remain skeptical. None of the improvements to the country club and golf courses would take place until after rezoning approval. Even more alarming: Currently, there is no guarantee any of it would be carried out after approval.
“I am extremely concerned about what they are doing to our community,” said WLCA Director Bob Hunter, former director of the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission. “I am concerned about what they are doing to 168 residential units that back up to the fairways that have been closed. I am concerned about what they are doing about taking away the scenic vistas of those properties and, essentially, the character and quality of development and lifestyle we have enjoyed in Walden Lake for nearly 30 years.”
THE MEN AND THEIR PLAN
Crenshaw, president and principal of Safety Harbor-based Coastal Companies, and Wright, a longtime professional golfer and golf club director, earned both cheers and jeers from Walden Lake residents during their brief introductions to the community.
A longtime developer and North Tampa resident, Crenshaw said he sees tremendous potential in the Walden Lake project.
“We’re in the beginning stages of having an agreement with Visions Golf to come in and redevelop the portion of the property that’s not being played today and redevelop the additional golf course that is being played into a first-class, top-quality course,” Crenshaw said. “If you just look at the property in Walden Lake — it’s a beautiful piece of land. There’s no reason this couldn’t be an absolute jewel once redeveloped and done in a first-class manner.
“Our goal is to come in, do the redevelopment in a first-class manner, and do it with the people in this room (Walden Lake residents) being involved every step of the way,” he said.
Wright, who has been a PGA pro since 1962, is coming out of retirement to lead the efforts to revitalize Walden Lake’s golf courses and clubhouse. Most recently, Wright served as director of golf at The Concession Golf Club, in Bradenton. That course, designed by PGA legends Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, was named Best New Private Course in 2006, by Golf Digest magazine.
“Other than your home, your biggest asset here is the golf course,” Wright told Walden Lake residents. “Right now, it’s a drag, from what I’ve seen, on your assets. It needs to be readdressed. It needs to be brought up to where it should be, and that’s our plan — to make it that way. We want to make it a five-star golf course.
“This is a position that I am extremely honored to have, and I’m very anxious and excited about taking on this project to bring (Walden Lake) back to its heyday,” he said. “If we do these things, from my experience in golf, I can guarantee … property values will go up.”
The day before Bridgepoint Capital’s introduction, Visions Golf submitted to the city a revised rezoning map. The revision includes a decrease in the number of residential units — from 868 to 627 — throughout all four parcel units included in the project. The revision caps the assisted-living facility at 120 units; multi-family at 320 units (on two different parcels); and single-family units at 187 lots.
Crenshaw said all the required studies — including environmental, traffic and storm water — should be complete in the next 120 days. If the resubmitted rezoning proposal does not require a Comprehensive Plan amendment, Crenshaw estimates development could begin within six months of application filing.
“My role would be to redevelop the lots for builders to come in and build homes,” he said. “Every environmental issue will be addressed. The homes that will be built there will be in keeping with the ones already in place. Ideally, you will have something that everybody is proud of.
“We will have a master plan done of what’s existing here, as well as what changes are going to be made, and all of those will be shared with (Walden Lake residents) and, obviously, with the city planning board and the City Commission,” Crenshaw said. “I’d like to present it to the people in this room, to (the WLCA) for review and comments before we submit something to the city.”
Changes to the golf portion of the property would include a new clubhouse, an 18-hole championship golf course, nine-hole executive-style course and a couple of holes reserved for a new golf academy.
Wright said the new clubhouse would serve as a place for golfers to meet after their rounds, for families to enjoy dinner, and for friends to gather for an evening of fun. He also said staff would include a full-time PGA golf professional and that the private club would host a myriad of events for its members.
But, none of it is possible without resident blessing.
“We have to have the support of you all,” Wright said. “We have to win your support, and the only way we’re going to do that is by producing and not talking about it. We want every resident (to be) proud of this golf course — whether you play golf or you don’t. You want to tell your friends, your guests, your family about this golf course.
“Without you and your support, we’re going nowhere,” he said.
The partners said maintaining the property as a 36-hole golf course is not possible. The capital required for renovation must come from the sale of some of the property. Furthermore, they said the community wouldn’t be able to support 36 holes financially.
“Thirty-six holes of golf is very difficult to maintain, and to keep those courses in playing order,” Crenshaw said. “Ultimately, the membership is going to be responsible for that in some way (through) higher dues or fees. … Business people just can’t continue to pump money into something that is not profitable.
“If I were a resident here, I would prefer to have a road or some developed and maintained facility in my back yard than I would a golf course that is (overgrown) with weeds,” he said.
THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Bridgepoint Capital’s plan was not met with universal praise. Some residents argued that the new investors are attempting to profit following Visions Golf’s poor business practices — at the expense of residents who paid premiums to purchase golf course lots.
Furthermore, WLCA Director Bob Hunter reiterated that the rezoning application is only for the residential component of the project.
“If this development goes through, all you are guaranteed is that they will build up to 627 units,” he said. “There are absolutely no other guarantees, and I cannot over-express that.
“And (with it being) subject to the rezoning being approved, that means the current owners (Visions Golf) would be submitting the revised rezoning to the city,” Hunter said. “Everything you’ve heard about premier golf course, restoring the golf course, swimming pool, etc. … None of it is guaranteed. They are damaging our health, safety and general welfare of the community.”
New WLCA directors Sharon Philbin and Terry Murphy also are apprehensive about the plan.
“This has never been about golf,” Philbin said, “It is about community, and to see this community traumatized the way it has been — and literally being torn apart for the sake of windfall profits for those least deserving — is most troubling.
“The very integrity of our master-planned community is at stake,” she said. “I will be asking my fellow directors to make a decision to stand firmly behind residents and fight to protect this community. The WLCA board has been more than patient, has heard enough from Visions (Golf), and we owe our members an honest and direct response.”
Muprhy agreed.
“It’s important to recognize that the contract Visions Golf has with Bridgepoint Capital is contingent upon Visions getting approval for re-zoning,” she said. “This process will include many required studies, approval of the planning board and, ultimately, our City Commission.
“The two presenters painted a very pretty picture of an exclusive and private country club for some — all at the expense of the Walden Lake residents’ current lifestyle,” Murphy said. “While there may be some that would make that compromise, I believe the majority of residents will not stand down. I will work together with our community to protect our investments and the integrity of our beautiful Walden Lake.”
Following the comments by Crenshaw and Wright, Walden Lake resident Nick Brown delivered a presentation opposing the rezoning.
“We bought in here, and we placed trust in the community association and in the city to honor the trust we placed in them,” Brown said. “It’s their golf course, but it’s our green space. And I don’t want to look out and see the back of some houses and a road running down what used to be a fairway.”
The WLCA still has not formally taken a position regarding the redevelopment. Hunter strongly urged the board to do so and has placed the item on the WLCA’s agenda for the next meeting.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
Walden Lake elects two new directors
The Walden Lake Community Association now has two new faces.
Sharon Philbin and Terry Murphy both were elected to the governing board at the WLCA’s April 10 Annual Meeting. Both Philbin and Murphy have been outspoken members of the resident-led group opposing redevelopment of the country club and golf course.
Incumbent Heather Updike also was reelected to the WLCA board. Murphy and Philbin replace outgoing directors Karen Olson and Steve Swantek.
Jan Griffin said she will be stepping down from the role of WLCA president. She will remain on the board.
DATE CHANGE
The Walden Lake Community Association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Community Building, 3035 Griffin Blvd., Plant City.