(Golf Inc.) Three courses in the Ft. Lauderdale region were renovated recently at no cost to the clubs, thanks to a unique arrangement with the Florida Department of Transportation.
Arrowhead Golf Club in Davie, Lago Mar Country Club in Plantation, and the Pine Island Ridge course also in Davie, all made a deal with the FDOT to provide easements for drainage in exchange for the renovations.
“This was unique — a different solution to a complicated problem” said Jeff Myers, the golf course architect who did the master plan for all three courses. “It was a win-win situation. The clubs were happy because they were in desperate need of renovation. And they gave easements to the state in return.”
The FDOT was widening the 595 freeway in the region and needed 50 acres for drainage.
Myers, who is president of JCM Group, came up with a plan to enlarge the lakes on the three courses to handle the overflow water when it rained. The project had a $1.5 billion budget, with $120 million slated right of way. But the renovations of the three courses only cost the state between $20 and $30 million, Myers said.
Myers handled the redesign for Pine Island Ridge. Kipp Shulties handles the design for Lago Mar Country Club, and Signature Golf Design handled it for Arrowhead. The State of Florida bought Arrowhead from American Golf as part of the project. It plans to auction off the course.
Myers said he enlarged lakes primarily within the first 40 yards of a tee box.
“It’s amazing how you can easily trim a half acre here and an acre or two there,” he said.