Intro
BEWARE THE TROJAN HORSE
(THE GOLF COURSE PROPERTY)
By Pete Cuccaro
The previous ambivalence of Pine Ridge property owners regarding the ‘Pine Oaks Golf Course’ (original name) is almost understandable. This is 222 acres of important, albeit unheralded, greenspace in the center of our community. As one of two focal points, the other being the Equestrian Center, it’s had several names through the years—without the expected positive evolution. It sits on ground platted as Parks/Recreation in 1974. As you read, consider the course and facilities were operated by third parties on shoestring budgets. The full potential wasn’t fully influenced by the POA although individual residents tried from time to time. We can still fix it.
A previous antiquated covenant translated into ‘no action’ regarding a potential purchase or cooperative business relationship for the course. Previous Boards couldn’t act if they wanted to. Some tried. They were handcuffed by the need to have a unanimous vote to even push a referendum to residents for consideration. Read that again. It took only one negative vote to stall the community for years. Recent Boards have been evolving, having learned some hard lessons. Residents/owners weighed in during the last election passing a landmark referendum giving the current Board a difference making tool. A majority vote now carries the day. But the timing was off. Or is it?
There’s still time to deal with what some think is a Trojan Horse. A rezoning effort to take the property from Parks/Recreation to Mixed Residential Use is in process. Losing the golf course while taking no action ensures current at large property owners won’t fully realize the value-add to their properties. Worse, once the door is opened, it could lead to higher density in the center of our community. Contrary to some thinking, existing “Golf Course Lots” are NOT the only properties affected. It can affect every property—-plus or minus- We could be the minus. How do we know?
Compare our golf course through the years to the jewels inside Citrus Hills and Black Diamond. Those courses are the reason those subdivisions have maximum property values for smaller lots-—on and off the fairways. To think of Citrus Hills and Black Diamond is to think of sterling golf course reputations. Even non-golfers know that. What if Pine Ridge had its own gem inside a golf/equestrian community on larger lots? We could have been reaping the reward of compounding increasing values.
Many of us built or purchased existing homes inside what we believed was BOTH a horse and golf culture life style. They were quality of life decisions. People don’t need to live on horse trails or golf course lots to feel the vibe. Realtors would indicate this was a Country Club community with both an equestrian center and a golf course. There is literature everywhere; both were a part of sales conversations. Golfers were brought to the clubhouse/restaurant, with the caveat ‘the facility should be upgraded in the near future’. Well, we know that didn’t happen. But what if it had? A state-of-the-art facility ala Black Diamond or Skyview would have been a property value multiplier. ‘Penny wise and pound foolish’ or ‘you get what you pay for’ or ‘it takes money to make money’. All phrases rattling in my head. Unfortunately, at annual dues of $95.00 a year, we have been ‘penny wise and pound foolish’. Guilty!
When purchasing our property, we thought when hearing “…the dues are $95.00…” meant 95 a month. We were surprised at closing it meant per year. We have a few properties and understand there are larger sites paying more. And yes, there should always be a sliding scale. The first objective should be to save the course. There seems to be legal precedent-—but it shouldn’t come to that as residents join together making their collective voices known at Citrus County venues. The first discussion is tentatively set for July 20, 2023. Look for more information on Stay in Touch.
Keep in mind! Once the course is gone it’s gone forever. In the current mind set of protecting current green space, who can think that’s a good idea? The larger consideration is how a new development in the center of Pine Ridge, not connected to Pine Ridge, will compete with existing Pine Ridge properties. The ability to market our homes down the line could be affected. Perhaps THE major concern should be once it is rezoned our standing to maintain low density is also a thing of the past. A Pine Ridge Reserve will be unconnected. We collectively dealt with that a few years back for the nine-hole course. We thought we were done. It could be sneakily worse than before.
I’d be happy to hear your views and will share them with the Board. I can be reached at petecuccaro@gmail.com.