GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) — The future of Ironwood Golf Course could be changing, as city commissioners begin considering proposals for the city-owned property.
Hangtime Golf, a company led by partners with University of Florida ties, has submitted a proposal to purchase or lease Ironwood Golf Course.
Adam Rappaport, Chuck Smith, and David Pearson offered to pay more than $1 million for the property, which would be enough to retire the city’s remaining debt on Ironwood. The course currently loses about $320,000 a year.
The group has proposed investing in improvements, including course upgrades and new technology at the driving range.
“The biggest change I think that you’ll see, other than course conditions improving, is the entertainment side of golf,” explained Smith. “We will turn that driving range, which is very dilapidated right now, into a thriving business and a learning experience for all financial people, no matter where they are at in life, they can come out, use our clubs if they need to, and practice golf and enjoy the sport.”
The applicants said they ultimately hope to introduce more people to the game of golf by offering programs, equipment, and new entertainment options.
Rappaport said the idea grew out of his own connection to Gainesville.
“I went to school in Gainesville, spent five wonderful years here and it’s a second home to me and realizing that some of the golf courses here have been going by the wayside lately and golf is probably at its peak, the challenges I found trying to find a golf course to play, I came across Ironwood and remember playing it 30 years ago and thought that it needs help,” Rappaport said.
The city has not approved a sale or lease of the course. Instead, commissioners voted to open a competitive public process that will allow Hangtime Golf and any other interested groups to submit proposals.
City leaders said that the process will allow the public to weigh in before any final decisions are made about the future of the property. City staff said the proposals could come back to commissioners for review later this year.
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