Agenda 11/10/2020 Item #11B (Staff's progress update for Golden Gate Golf Course )11/10/2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to accept staff s progress update for the Golden Gate Golf Course development
project and provide direction, as appropriate. (Geoff Willig, Senior Operations Analyst, County
Manager's Office)
OBJECTIVE: To bring the Board up to date on the progress that has been made regarding the fit plans
for the redevelopment of the property, Intent to Convert process, site development agreements, and
address options for the portions of the property resulting from C1ubCorp USA's withdrawal from the
project.
CONSIDERATIONS: On July 31, 2019, the County took ownership of the former Golden Gate Golf
Course property. Following the direction of the Board, the County initially maintained the property
through a partnership with the First Tee of Collier County. The County has since taken on the
maintenance of the course through the Parks and Recreation Division.
In November 2019, the County selected an engineering and planning firm to lead the County through the
required Intent to Convert ("ITC") process. The ITC was intended to allow the County to develop the
property with an essential services housing project, a State Veterans' Nursing Home, a regional
government service center and a public golf & entertainment component. The current fit plan developed
by the engineering firm is attached with this executive summary.
The fit plan developed for the property includes an allocation of space on the northern portion of the
property for a potential State Veterans' Nursing Home. Staff will continue to engage the County lobbying
teams in pursuit of the development of a State Veterans' Nursing Home, along with facilitation of an
FDVA site visit as soon as possible.
On June 9, 2020, the Board selected Rural Neighborhoods, Inc., through an Invitation to Negotiate
("ITN") process, to develop an essential services housing component. The proposed development
agreement for this project will be presented as a separate item on the November 10t1i BCC meeting
agenda.
On January 14, 2020, the Board selected C1ubCorp USA, Inc., through an ITN process, to develop a golf
& entertainment component at the property. A year -long due diligence agreement was signed on April 10,
2020, to allow the County and C1ubCorp to finalize a lease agreement and provide the engineering firm
with the necessary information for the site redevelopment and ITC.
On October 22, 2020, the County Manager received a disengagement letter from the BigShots CEO Tony
Wehner. The letter cited several factors that contributed to C1ubCorp/BigShots withdrawal, such as
discovered irrigation and golf infrastructure investments and development requirements that were more
than what was anticipated. He indicated that the increased investment cost and difficulties financing the
project could not be resolved to proceed further.
In order for the County to proceed with the submission of the ITC, staff is seeking the Board's direction
regarding the development that was identified for the C1ubCorp/BigShots development. The Board has
several options available to consider. The following options have been identified as potential uses or
combination thereof for this part of the property.
Negotiate with the second -place vendor, Bonura Hospitality Group, to develop a golf and
entertainment component
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11/10/2020
• Resolicit for another partner to develop a golf component on the property
• Reconsider a partnership with the First Tee of Collier
• Develop a portion of the property as a passive park with multimodal pathways
• Establish a corridor within the property along Collier Blvd for future commercial development
Any development of a passive park space would require an investment by the County towards the
necessary infrastructure required to maintain the park. The irrigation system as noted in the letter received
from C1ubCorp would require a capital investment up to approximately $1.5 million. Without a
programmed use such as a golf course staff believes that the investment into the irrigation system could
be spread out over several years, whereas any golf course would target this replacement prior to opening.
The County would need to build a maintenance shed to store equipment required to maintain the property.
If the County handles the maintenance of the property the County would need to make equipment
investments, these investments could be reduced if the County contract out the mowing of the property.
However, there would be a fiscal need for potentially up to approximately $1 million in the first year for
maintenance expenses and potentially up to $6 thousand for equipment to maintain the site.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Board purchased the Golden Gate Golf Course for $29 million on July 31,
2019. The County selected the engineering firm to head the ITC and rezone required to develop the
property at a lump sum cost of $684,666.50 plus reimbursable expenditures. Should the County develop a
portion of the property as a passive park the County would require an investment of a couple million
dollars to refurbish and develop the necessary infrastructure with up to approximately one million in
operating expenses in the first year.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Staff is working with the engineering firm to engage in the
ITC process to address growth management impacts of this project.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issues at this time, and requires majority vote for direction. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To accept staffs progress update for the Golden Gate Golf Course
development project and provide direction as appropriate.
Prepared by: Geoff Willig, Senior Operations Analyst, County Manager's Office
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. C1ubCorp Letter October 7 2020(PDF)
2. BSG Naples Disengage Memo v10.21.20 (PDF)
3.2020-11-4 CC GGGC CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS 1 - 3 flattend (PDF)
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11.B
11/10/2020
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: I LB
Doc ID: 13916
Item Summary: Recommendation to accept staffs progress update for the Golden Gate Golf
Course development project and provide direction, as appropriate. (Geoff Willig, Senior Operations
Analyst, County Manager's Office)
Meeting Date: 11/10/2020
Prepared by:
Title: Director - Operations Support — Administrative Services Department
Name: Michael Cox
11/02/2020 2:54 PM
Submitted by:
Title: County Manager — County Manager's Office
Name: Leo E. Ochs
11/02/2020 2:54 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Office of Management and Budget
County Attorney's Office
Budget and Management Office
County Manager's Office
Board of County Commissioners
Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
Mark Isackson Additional Reviewer
Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review
MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending
Completed
11/02/2020 3:18 PM
Completed
11/02/2020 3:34 PM
Completed
11/03/2020 8:48 AM
Completed
11/04/2020 11:41 AM
11/10/2020 9:00 AM
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11.B.a
BIGSHOTS
October 7, 2020
Collier County Board of County Commissioners
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 303
Naples, FL 34112-5746
RE: BIGSHOTS NAPLES AND GOLDEN GATE GOLF COURSE
Honorable Commissioners,
As you know, BigShots Golf is a high tech golf and "eatertainment" concept powered by proprietary
technology and owned by ClubCorp. The exciting BigShots Golf project at Golden Gate will feature a
scratch kitchen, indoor and outdoor lounge seating, bar areas and private event spaces making it the
ideal atmosphere to host games, gatherings and neighborhood outings.
In addition to the 60 bay, two story BigShots Golf we have also proposed a complete redesign of the golf
course. The redesign will feature 12 regulation holes and incorporate parts of the original Golden Gate
Golf Course. The new 12-hole course will be made available to Collier County residents at a reduced
rate and to the First Tee on a complimentary and preferred basis.
We have conducted significant due diligence to evaluate the current conditions as well as the needed
improvements required to redesign and reopen of the course. As part of our efforts we interviewed
several golf course architects and inspected the existing infrastructure. During our review we
discovered the existing irrigation systems will need to be completely replaced and the scope of work
required to redesign the course is significant.
ClubCorp has been building, upgrading, and managing golf clubs for more than 60 years. We understand
both the necessity of having strong, modern course infrastructure as well as the benefits of partnering
with reputable course designers who will elevate the experience at Golden Gate Golf Course. To
accomplish these goals we request Collier County contribute $7,000,000 to the project.
We look forward to discussing the exciting progress with BigShots Golf at Golden Gate Golf Course and
appreciate your continued support.
Resp ully,
fi
1
DAVID PILLSBURY
CEO- CLUBCORP
TONY WEHNER
CEO- BIGSHOTS GOLF
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11.B.b
BIGSHOTS
October 22, 2020
County Manager's Office
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 202
Naples, FL 34112-5746
RE: BIGSHOTS NAPLES AND GOLDEN GATE GOLF COURSE
Mr. Leo E. Ochs, Jr.,
We have completed our due diligence and feasibility analyses exploring the opportunity to bring BigShots Golf
to Collier County. Over the last six months we have productively engaged in due diligence with your team at
the County Manager's Office, local Collier County professionals and the Naples market at large. As a result of
these diligence efforts we regretfully decline to continue negotiations of a definitive lease agreement for a
portion of Golden Gate Golf Course.
Several factors contribute to our decision to disengage from pursuit of this opportunity. Inspection of Golden
Gate Golf Course's irrigation and golf infrastructure revealed investment and development requirements far in
excess of what was originally anticipated. Additionally, engaging the local lending community revealed
difficulties in financing the project given the increased scope of investment required by both BigShots Golf and
ClubCorp.
Unfortunately these discoveries cannot be resolved under any agreeable terms. While we are all disappointed
with the outcome, we wish Collier County the very best. Thank you to you and your team for the courteous
and professional efforts to complete this evaluation.
Please accept this letter as notice of termination of our diligence efforts as outlined in the agreement between
CC BSG, LLC and Collier County Board of County Commissioners for Collier County, Florida dated April 10, 2020.
Respectfully,
i0mcAvy-,"
TONY WEHNER
CEO- BIGSHOTS GOLF
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