The $6 million par 3 course
Only in Palm Beach, right? Where else could you possibly spend $6 million on a 39-acre par 3 course? Such is the case as the Town of Palm Beach attempts to pick up the additional $1.5 million that they have yet to raise to get to the $6 million it “needs” to redo the Palm Beach Golf Course.
Of the $6 million, $2 million will be pitched in by the city and they’re attempting to raise an additional $4 million from private donations. Thus far, they have raised $2.5 million. The design will be done, for free, by Raymond Floyd. The Palm Beach Daily News estimates that the value of the design at $700,000.
$700,000? For a design of a par 3 golf course? Has anybody ever got $700,000 for the design of a par 3 golf course – ever?
Now the $6 million does include a new clubhouse as well. Must be a heck of a clubhouse, especially for a par 3. The architect of the clubhouse is donating his services and so is an interior designer. And the price tag is still $6 million.
And get this, apparently the course isn’t going to change much.
The course will stay true to the original 1960 Dick Wilson design with minor modifications, Floyd said. The location of the holes will be the same, but the direction of two will be revised.
So, the course routing isn’t changing, outside of changing the direction of two holes, and the cost for the design would have been $700,000? I’d really like to know how that number was arrived at.
I like to do a math exercise to see how long it’s going to take to get the money back. According to the course’s website, the green fee for a non-resident is, at peak time and with cart, is $46.19. Let’s assume every single player is paying that price, the highest possible. In order for the town to get its $2 million back, it will take 43,000 18-hole rounds. That’s being super optimistic too – the average green fee is almost certainly going to be at least half that, pushing the break even number to over 85,000 18-hole rounds. To get back the $6 million, it’s going to take more than 250,000 18-hole rounds.
That’s an amazing number to fathom for a par 3 golf course – even in Palm Beach.
Mr. Anderson,
Your websites are informative and interesting. It will take me awhile
to read everything. I did notice your liking of Fred Couples. I think
I could be of service to him, by helping his game. Do you have a mailing
address, in order that I may contact him? I helped Lee Elder with his putting
in 1999.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike
1984, ‘88, ‘92, ‘96 Olympic sports doc
What’s really cool about this golf course is that they don’t need to use municipal water to keep the greens “green.”
They tapped into an aquafir under the land and use a special turf that can be watered with salt water.
Talk about an “Green” golf course. This course may not pay for itself in a few years, but it will be sure to save water.
Also, most of residents chipped in to pay for this course.