An uncertain future for the Golden Gates Golf Course

Published:
Entrance to the Golden Gate Golf Course. (Credit: WINK News)
Entrance to the Golden Gate Golf Course. (Credit: WINK News)

Teeing up for endless possibilities.

In a few minutes, Collier County leaders want to tell you what it should do with the land at Golden Gate Golf Course.

A lot of homeowners want to see one thing: keep and reinvest in the golf course. If not, they told WINK News they might pack up and leave.

One of those homeowners, Cindy MacDonald, wants to keep the golf course for the community.

MacDonald and Don Sedderquest agree on that resolution. Sedderquest has lived in the area for three decades and worries what could potentially replace the course.

One possibility that has been floated is a United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

“When we moved here we paid extra to be on the golf course,” Sedderquest said. “Another going to take the golf course away from us? I don’t like that idea.”

Another possibility that has neighbors on edge is building affordable housing.

Henry Perez, who also lives along the golf course, worries what affordable housing would bring.

“I can’t imagine if they believe they’re trying to do some housing how is it going to affect us,” Perez said. “Like I said, traffic is bad now, it’s only gonna get worse.”

County Commissioner Donna Fiala was at the meeting. She said there would not be any decision Monday evening or at Tuesday’s board meeting. While there is nothing set in stone about the plans for the course, the commissioners believe the location is a good site for development.

That consensus has MacDonald worried. She has lived by the Golden Gate Golf Course for close to 20 years. She told WINK News she would look into moving if Collier County decides to get rid of the golf course. Other neighbors have the same sentiment.

“We have a lot of retired, plus people here who are getting ready to retire,” MacDonald said. “That this was going to be their place to turn that around into something to rezone it into something else would be detrimental.”

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