City of Delray Beach considers six proposals for municipal course

City officials from Delray Beach in Florida have reviewed six proposals for the redevelopment of its 18-hole municipal course, which includes nine holes that were designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1926.

The city appointed real estate firm CBRE last year to solicit bids, with a view to allowing commercial development on the site to fund a redesign and renovation of the golf course, which has deferred maintenance requirements.

All six proposals included at least 18 holes in their plans, and all but one intend to retain the Ross holes, on the southern part of the site, which form the back nine. The holes on the front nine were designed by Dick Wilson and opened in the 1950s.

The proposal from CGHP Development and Hansel Phelps is reported to be endorsed by the Donald Ross Society Foundation, and includes 312 residential units and a Marriott hotel. A proposal from Bobby Jones Links and Mill Creek with 650 residential units and retail and restaurant space would see Rees Jones’s firm renovating the golf course.

Among the other submissions, T-36 Golf Holdings and Inovalis are proposing a golf course with an innovative routing – potentially some form of reversible design – so that 27 holes can be played over 18 fairways. And the proposal from E2L Real Estate Holdings is for a 19-hole “executive” course.

More information on each of the proposals has been reported by Jasmine Fernandez of the Palm Beach Post.

The proposals are expected to be made available for public review within the next month, with city officials gathering for a special meeting in March to hear final comments from the developers, after which a decision will be made.

Toby IngletonToby Ingleton

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