Robert Patten Burns (Photo: Special to the Naples Daily News)
Evidence shows the Athens Group promised Naples residents and city council one thing and they are now planning something different.
The Athens Group told residents and city council it will preserve the 18-hole championship golf course along with HB’s and Sunset Beach Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel. The Athens Group also promised residents it would improve the existing 18-hole championship golf course.
A recent real estate sales brochure shows the Athens Group now is planning a 10-hole golf course to replace the existing Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole championship course. Such a plan is completely contrary to Athens Group’s original written pledge.
The Athens Group is now saying the existing golf course is not a championship layout. Nothing could be farther from the truth. According to the tournament director of the South Florida Section of the PGA of America, sixty-nine (69) golf championships have been held in recent years at the existing Naples Beach Hotel Golf Course.
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One important criteria of a championship golf course is its length. Championship tees at Naples Beach Hotel Golf Course are 6,929 yards. Championship tees at Pebble Beach are 7,051 yards, ranked number 9 in Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses and number one in Golfweek’s Top Resort Courses. During public meetings conducted by the Athens Group in 2019, its lead architect compared the Naples Beach Hotel to Pebble Beach California as one of a few seaside hotel resorts open to the public with an adjacent championship golf course. The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach Florida was another one mentioned by Athens’ architect with adjacent 18-hole golf course.
Athens Group mailed a four-page, full color brochure to “Neighbors” during early stages promoting its “Naples Beach Club Hotel, Residences and Golf Course.” Therein, written statements by the Athens Group regarding the golf course include:
- “The Athens Group will maintain the resort’s most beloved features:…CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF…” on page one.
- On front page of its brochure, an aerial color photograph shows existing golf course holes #14, #15, #16 and #17.
- On page 2 of its brochure, it states “The key components of the Athens Group’s proposed redevelopment plan include”:
“The retention of the golf course to continue to provide expansive green space in perpetuity for the enjoyment of future generations – pursuant to a recorded Declaration.”
“The improvement of the existing 18-hole championship golf course and the tennis center.”
Now Athens Group must honor its commitment to “neighbors” and city council by preserving the existing 18-hole championship golf course, HB’s and Sunset Beach Bar pursuant to a recorded declaration in perpetuity. Otherwise, Athens Group’s integrity is at serious risk and enjoyment of these “beloved features” by “future generations” are on-the-line!
Here’s what is at stake:
- Preservation of 109 acres of greenspace in the heart of the City of Naples.
- Preservation of a storm water filtration cycle created from the golf course’s natural grass and sand.
- Detention of storm water flowing into residential neighborhood lakes.
- Preservation of a Jack Nicklaus Design 18-hole championship golf course implemented in 2016.
- Preservation of site where Jack Nicklaus first scored less than 40 at age 11 while staying with his parents at the Naples Beach Hotel.
- Preservation of a championship golf course already part of the “Florida Historic Golf Trail.”
What if a non-championship 10-hole golf course fails. Then what? Would it create pressure to build additional condominiums on the golf course?
Robert Patten Burns, a resident of Naples, is an Iowa Architect/Urban Planner, a Course Rater for Golfweek magazine and a Rules Official Iowa Section PGA.
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