Private Florida Golf Course Has Some Concerned
Florida golf course Calusa Country Club neighbors don't necessarily have a problem with Facundo Bacardi's plan to replace the rundown golf course with an exclusive multimillion dollar facility.
It's just that they want to be able to see it from their backyards. But plans call for making it as private and secluded as possible for big-money golfers.
''It's like having a house on the beach and you can't see -- or use -- the beach,'' said Marilin Cabassi, whose backyard overlooks the Florida golf course.
Besides, homeowners say, blocking their view will put their security at risk.
''When I go out in my backyard and I see a foursome ready to tee off, I can protect myself,'' said Cabassi's husband Javier. ``There's a higher liability for the Florida golf course if I can't see.''
Shawn Crews, general manager of the facility at 9400 SW 130th Ave., assures residents nothing is being hidden. He plans to show the neighbors the layout as soon as it is complete, possibly by summer.
Plans now include a challenging 18-hole championship Florida golf course, some elevations as high as 40 feet, winding waterways, a clubhouse with full concierge service, a golf-training facility, a caddy program and lush landscaping.
In the long run, Crews said, the project will pay off for homeowners.
''When they lose their view, some would argue that depreciates their property value,'' Crews said. However, the flip side is that now their property is sitting on a low- to middle-of-the road public course and, after construction, they will sit on the best golf course in South Florida.''
Some residents worry the opposite might happen if they cannot see the course past growing hedges and an unsightly chain-link fence the owner installed months back.
''Despite what they say, a home with a view is a home with more value than without,'' said Alain Morot-Gaudry, a resident since 1995. His wife is a real estate agent.
But some homeowners see the plans as a positive development.
''Those trees are going to be beautiful. This is the best thing that could have happened to us,'' Kathy Winters said. ``It could make our property values soar.''
Crews said the aim is not to block residents' views, as some may think, but to enclose the golfers so they feel a slice of paradise. And he said the fences and hedges are staying put for that purpose.
''It closes in what's going to be a private Florida golf course and the hedge is to make those people that are paying $200,000 feel like they're in a secluded area,'' he said.
Jane Feuer doesn't buy that argument.
''You're building a multimillion dollar golf course; you should have enough to take down the chain-link fence and put up a white picket fence or something,'' she said.
There will be no tournaments on the new Florida golf course. The initiation fee is $215,000 and membership is by invitation only and will be limited to 275 members or corporations.
The plans are on hold until enough people buy memberships. From a business standpoint, it wouldn't make sense to break ground on such a costly project if people aren't buying into it, Crews said.
The hefty fees and exclusive nature of the proposed facility worry some Florida residents.
''My only concern is my husband is a golfer and now he won't be able to play there,'' said Waltraud Hering, who has lived for 18 years on this public Florida golf course. ``We cannot afford it.''
It's just that they want to be able to see it from their backyards. But plans call for making it as private and secluded as possible for big-money golfers.
''It's like having a house on the beach and you can't see -- or use -- the beach,'' said Marilin Cabassi, whose backyard overlooks the Florida golf course.
Besides, homeowners say, blocking their view will put their security at risk.
''When I go out in my backyard and I see a foursome ready to tee off, I can protect myself,'' said Cabassi's husband Javier. ``There's a higher liability for the Florida golf course if I can't see.''
Shawn Crews, general manager of the facility at 9400 SW 130th Ave., assures residents nothing is being hidden. He plans to show the neighbors the layout as soon as it is complete, possibly by summer.
Plans now include a challenging 18-hole championship Florida golf course, some elevations as high as 40 feet, winding waterways, a clubhouse with full concierge service, a golf-training facility, a caddy program and lush landscaping.
In the long run, Crews said, the project will pay off for homeowners.
''When they lose their view, some would argue that depreciates their property value,'' Crews said. However, the flip side is that now their property is sitting on a low- to middle-of-the road public course and, after construction, they will sit on the best golf course in South Florida.''
Some residents worry the opposite might happen if they cannot see the course past growing hedges and an unsightly chain-link fence the owner installed months back.
''Despite what they say, a home with a view is a home with more value than without,'' said Alain Morot-Gaudry, a resident since 1995. His wife is a real estate agent.
But some homeowners see the plans as a positive development.
''Those trees are going to be beautiful. This is the best thing that could have happened to us,'' Kathy Winters said. ``It could make our property values soar.''
Crews said the aim is not to block residents' views, as some may think, but to enclose the golfers so they feel a slice of paradise. And he said the fences and hedges are staying put for that purpose.
''It closes in what's going to be a private Florida golf course and the hedge is to make those people that are paying $200,000 feel like they're in a secluded area,'' he said.
Jane Feuer doesn't buy that argument.
''You're building a multimillion dollar golf course; you should have enough to take down the chain-link fence and put up a white picket fence or something,'' she said.
There will be no tournaments on the new Florida golf course. The initiation fee is $215,000 and membership is by invitation only and will be limited to 275 members or corporations.
The plans are on hold until enough people buy memberships. From a business standpoint, it wouldn't make sense to break ground on such a costly project if people aren't buying into it, Crews said.
The hefty fees and exclusive nature of the proposed facility worry some Florida residents.
''My only concern is my husband is a golfer and now he won't be able to play there,'' said Waltraud Hering, who has lived for 18 years on this public Florida golf course. ``We cannot afford it.''
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