The Sarasota-Manatee Building Industry Association says that’s a growing trend, and says builders are targeting former golf courses that closed during the recession when people couldn’t afford to play.
“I saw it declining,” said Metzgar of the golf course. “Less and less people coming and lack of business,” she added.
All the while, the land sat untouched. Until Mattamy Homes purchased the property for $14 million, with plans to turn it into a new housing community.
“I’m very happy to see it being put to use,” said Metzgar. “I think it’ll look a lot nicer down there, so i think it’s all good.”
The Sarasota-Manatee Building Industry Association says that’s a growing trend, and says builders are targeting former golf courses that closed during the recession when people couldn’t afford to play. Other courses are alive and thriving though, like Bent Tree Country Club, where developers are building around the course.
Real estate agent David Zarghami of Keller Williams Realty, says golf is still a major draw for people moving to the area.
“We offer beaches and we offer golf,” said Zarghami. “There are folks who come down and want to look exclusively in communities which are golf course communities.”
As the area continues to grow and idle land becomes harder to come by though, Zarghami says builders may set their sights on those abandoned golf courses.
“In Sarasota West of Interstate 75, there’s not much left in terms of large parcels that aren’t developed,” said Zarghami, “so regardless of how you feel about golf that’s going to be prime real estate.”
Source: Developers target abandoned golf courses for new development - Sarasota News | Mysuncoast.com and ABC 7: Local News
