LPGA International complex in Florida could lose practice course to housing project

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — After seeing other developers add thousands of new homes in the Sunshine State, the out-of-state owners of the golf courses at LPGA International intend to get in on the action, too.

Representatives of Virginia-based Fore Golf Partners LLC will hold a neighborhood meeting Tuesday evening to unveil preliminary plans to replace the Daytona Beach golf community’s 3-hole practice course with a new residential development. The proposed LPGA Golf Villas would add 154 new single-family homes and 40 townhouses in the area surrounding LPGA International’s existing golf driving range.

The meeting which begins at 6 p.m. will be at the Holiday Inn LPGA at 137 Automall Circle, off Tomoka Farms Road, in Daytona Beach.

Some residents, however, are not happy with the proposed development.

“I’m concerned about this particular development for a number of reasons,” said LPGA International resident Mary Jane Hurst. “I’m concerned about the trees that will be lost, the habitat for the animals, the underlying water structures and the aesthetics for the whole neighborhood.”

Maureen Suchenski, president of the Lions Paw Homeowners Association at LPGA International, said, “The practice course is used a lot and is a big asset to the members. I’ve used the practice course too many times to count and will be sad to see it go if this goes through.”

The developer did not respond to a request for comment.

“The proposed plan maintains the majority land use of golf,” said Dennis Mrozek, planning director for the city. “The driving range will continue to operate. The development plan also provides for a (1.1-acre) neighborhood park to allow a pedestrian/driving range viewing area.”

Mrozek said the city’s current zoning for the site permits single-family homes. “The proposed development will be consistent with the area development patterns and use of residential,” he wrote in an email.

A preliminary site map includes a small area marked as potential retail. Mrozek said the developer does not plan to include retail in the actual project.

Fore Golf Partners, doing business locally as “Jones Hill Golf LLC,” is seeking city approval for a “planned development-general rezoning and small scale comprehensive plan amendment” on its property at 310 International Golf Drive,” according to the invitation to Tuesday’s neighborhood meeting.

The Arthur Hills Signature Course at LPGA International (Courtesy of LPGA International)

Owners’ plans come after rejecting $10.9M offer to sell

Fore Golf Partners bought the two 18-hole golf courses as well as the practice course, driving range and clubhouse at LPGA International for $3.45 million in 2019.

The company put its holdings at LPGA International up for auction last year, but rejected the $10.9 million top bid.

The area’s tremendous growth appears to be a big reason why.

The LPGA area in recent years has seen the development of new residential developments including the Jimmy Buffett-themed Latitude Margaritaville 55-and-older community and ICI Homes’ Mosaic “full life” community, new luxury apartment complexes and several new shopping centers.

Within LPGA International itself, Meritage Homes has recently begun construction of a 199-home development called Links Terrace directly across the street from the practice course.

Meritage is also planning another nearby community called Legends Preserve that would add another 264 homes, just south of Municipal Stadium.

‘We don’t need more (housing) lots’

The difference, according to longtime LPGA International resident Bob Crowley, is that the Meritage projects were both “part of the original plan” for the golf community which currently has more than 1,200 homes.

“We don’t need more (housing) lots. There’s plenty of buildable lots left,” he said.

Greg Cardino, another longtime LPGA International resident, said, “A lot of people here at LPGA are not happy about what’s going on. I didn’t realize Mr. (Charles) Staples (the CEO of Fore Golf Partners) needed the money so bad.”

Hurst and her husband Dan pointed out that the 30-acre site for the LPGA Golf Villas project includes marshlands and wooded areas. She said she is concerned the new development would eliminate them.

“It’s a beautiful neighborhood that we don’t want to be destroyed,” she said.