Plantation Palms Golf Course could reopen within coming months, according to posts on a Facebook page and an online blog created by a residents’ group, Project Bring Back Our Course.
A potential buyer, Rocky Morgan of GSP Business Alliance, is nearing a deadline to buy the closed golf course, located within Plantation Palms subdivision, off Collier Parkway.
In a telephone interview, Rob Rochlin of Dennis Realty told The Laker/Lutz News that Morgan has until the end of September to complete “due diligence” on the purchase.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
According to the online blog in a posting on Sept. 13, a closing could happen no later than Nov. 3, and possibly sooner.
The driving range, clubhouse, restaurant and bar could reopen by the end of the year, with the course opening in early-to-mid-2016. Full and social club memberships would be offered to people living in the subdivision, as well as to people outside of Plantation Palms, according to the blog.
The goal of the Bring Back Our Course group, the blog states, “is to protect Plantation Palms’ property values.”
According to a Sept. 19 blog posting, Morgan has enlisted professional golfer Jimmy Wright to join his team as president and chief executive officer of “Golf Operations.”
No sales price is available, but the real estate firm in the past has listed the property as a short sale for $1.2 million.
Native American Bank in Denver backed the mortgage for the 156-acre property, when MJS Golf Group bought the golf course in 2011 for about $2.2 million. Mitchell Osceola, Jayson Ray and Steven McDonald own the company.
No one with the company could be reached for comment.
Financial challenges in recent years have plagued the course’s operations. It was shut down for one week in 2013, then, re-opened before shutting down again in May 2014.
Court records show debts have been a problem as at least two companies, John Deere Landscaping and Lake Master Aquatic Weed Control, filed lawsuits for nonpayment of services. Courts awarded judgments against MSJ.
There also was at least one lien from the Florida Department of Revenue, since paid off.
In prior interviews with The Laker/Lutz News, Ray told a reporter that the recession and bad weather limited the rounds of golf and hurt efforts to make the course a success.
County records show TLGFY, LLC- Capital One filed a tax deed for one of two parcels for the golf course on June 30. The application covers tax years 2012 through 2014. However, the tax deed likely won’t be sent to the Pasco County Clerk’s office until early 2016.
A second golf course parcel has delinquent taxes, also for 2012 through 2014. Tax certificates were issued, but county officials say if the 2012 taxes are paid, that would delay a potential filing of a tax deed on that parcel.
Those issues would be cleared away with the sale. “A new buyer can’t have clear title without that,” Rochlin said.
Surveys are posted on the website showing about 90 percent approval from residents who favor the sale. A meet-and-greet with Plantation Palms’ residents took place at Hampton Inn on Sept. 2. The Bring Back Our Course members met separately with residents of The Reserve, which has its own homeowners’ association.
Media reports highlight past unsuccessful efforts by Morgan to buy Waterville Golf Course in Cleveland, Tennessee, and Turkey Greek Golf Course in Gainesville. But according to the blog, Morgan addressed questions related to those ventures at the residents’ meeting.
In recent weeks, Morgan has hired landscapers to spruce up the course, mowing grass and clearing undergrowth.
Part of his management program for the course is to provide lawn services that would generate revenues to help with golf course operations.
Residents would choose a landscaper from a “preferred provider” list of companies that would work for Morgan, according to the blog.
“The primary focus is on selling landscaping services bundled with club memberships both inside and outside of Plantation Palms,” the blog states.
Published September 23, 2015
