KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. (WCJB) – Come March 31, people won’t be hitting hole-in-ones at the Keystone Golf Course anymore. This is because the owner has decided to shut the doors.
“We’re making it now, but that’s what we do we make it,” shared Owner Brad Harvey.
Harvey says he didn’t come to this decision easily.
“I’ve been here since 1980. Played golf with my dad as a kid. That’s why we jumped in, to save it. To be a part of what is the oldest thing in our community,” Harvey said.
The decision comes after the course’s golf cart provider told Harvey he could not purchase the carts but would have to sign a five-year deal to lease them. He says it would’ve tacked on an extra $750 a month.
“I hate it. It’s like the death of someone you love a lot. That you invest a lot in to. It’s hard to watch somebody come in here and potentially change the landscape forever,” Harvey shared.
One resident, Jim Skiles from Melrose says he plays on the 108-year-old course at least twice a week and wishes someone would’ve stepped in to help save it.
“Now I’m going to have to drive further to Gainesville, or Palatka, or Starke to play golf,” Skiles said.
Skiles says he wishes the Florida Department of Environmental Protection would do something to preserve the land.
“Buy something like this that’s already existing. It’s much less expensive to develop it. It’s already here and still make it an extra conservation or green space for people like us to go out and enjoy being outdoors,” Skiles shared.
Harvey says he can’t compete with other golf courses that have homeowner’s associations which pay some fees. The city council voted last week to end conversations about buying the land.
RELATED: Keystone Golf and Country Club closes after 108 years
“I’d like to see it stay a golf course, but if not, whoever buys it hopefully makes it nice and either does another golf course or builds some nice houses,” shared resident Robby Kalaf.
Several contractors have already contacted Harvey about purchasing the property. He says single-family homes will likely be built here.
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