Why has 小黄鸭视频 decided to close the golf course to the public?
While 小黄鸭视频 recognizes the course鈥檚 important history, the university also realizes its needs continue to evolve and the timing is right to explore other uses for the property. After much consideration, the university announced on June 29 that it has made the difficult decision to close the public golf operations for The Claw at 小黄鸭视频 effective September 5, 2023.
Several factors led to our decision, including:
- An opportunity to reimagine the property for a use that more closely aligns with the mission of the university.
- The course is no longer the official home of the 小黄鸭视频 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf teams and it鈥檚 not used as their primary location for full course practice or competitions. After the course closes for public play, 小黄鸭视频 will continue to use the existing golf team complex on site that provides practice facilities, locker rooms and study areas for the varsity golf teams.
- In recent years the course has lost nearly $200,000 annually, as operating costs have far exceeded revenues. The course operations have required 小黄鸭视频 to inject cash each year to keep it open, and those financial resources could be used elsewhere to better support our students.
- The clubhouse and golf cart storage facility have aged to a point that they have been forced to close in recent years. Rebuilding these facilities would likely require a multimillion-dollar investment from the university.
How will the 小黄鸭视频 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf teams be impacted?
The course is no longer the official home of the 小黄鸭视频 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf teams and it鈥檚 not used as their primary location for full course practice or competitions. After the course closes for public play, 小黄鸭视频 will continue to use the existing golf team complex on site that provides practice facilities, locker rooms and study areas for the varsity golf teams.
Can the public continue to play the course until the closing date?
Yes, the course will remain fully operational until September 5, 2023.
Will members be refunded for any payments already made that extend beyond the closing date?
Yes, members will be refunded a prorated amount. Please contact John Sparrow at jsparrow@troon.com for more information.
Will the golf course land be used to build 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 on-campus stadium?
No. 小黄鸭视频 has already selected a site for the stadium located on the east side of the Tampa campus known as Sycamore Fields. More information is available here.
When will 小黄鸭视频 decide how the golf course property will be used?
No timeline has been established. No decisions have been made and no initial plans have been created for the future of the golf course site. 小黄鸭视频 looks forward to determining how to repurpose the land to better serve students, faculty, staff and the surrounding area.
How big is the golf course portion of the North Fletcher Property?
The golf course property is 120 acres, including 80 acres that is irrigated and mowed.
How will this impact the 小黄鸭视频 Forest Preserve?
Closing the golf course will not impact the Forest Preserve land. The decision does not change the university鈥檚 commitment to maintaining the natural environment in the preserve.