Arthrex makes a plan to renovate and reopen the Golden Gate Golf Course.

A new plan to renovate and reopen Golden Gate Golf Course.

Collier County commissioners praised the unsolicited plan to build a community golf course with a restaurant at a board meeting Tuesday.

The county will now invite other development organizations to discuss it before moving further.

Arthrex and First Tee are behind the latest plan, according to a recent article by Laura Layden of Naples Daily News.

It comes roughly six months after BigShots abandoned its intentions to create a golf entertainment complex on county-owned land after failing to get financing.

Under Arthrex’s idea, a nonprofit would run the community initiative. The facility would comprise a nine-hole golf course, driving range, short game area, restaurant, and learning center.

The developer would have used $6 million in county incentives that would have gone to BigShots and created a charity to raise more money for the state-of-the-art project. Commissioner Burt Saunders praised the preliminary plans for the construction, which may cost about $30 million.

“This excites me.” He said this was long overdue.

In Collier County, Arthrex has long supported First Tee, a nonprofit youth development program.

Arthrex would join with First Tee Naples/Collier to construct a golf learning center for youngsters to expose them to the sport and enhance their character and values. First Tee Academy would include advanced, interactive technology, learning sessions, and a practice facility for young players.

“Our mission at First Tee is to impact the lives of young people by integrating the game of golf with a life-skills curriculum,” said executive director Cindy Darland. “First Tee Academy would give us a home for programming and help more Collier County kids.”

The national program, First Tee, has local chapters. About 1,000 Collier youngsters use it.

The local group and its many supporters and members were disappointed when BigShots’ proposal broke apart since it featured a home for First Tee.

David Bumpous, vice president of operations at Arthrex, who enjoys golf and has young children who have participated in First Tee, presented the development idea to county commissioners.

He stated a project like this is needed to make golf more inexpensive and accessible to everyone in the county, as most of the area’s golf courses are private.

Bumpous claimed the 150-seat restaurant would benefit Golden Gate’s underprivileged population.

“First-class. It will be done right. It will make you proud. He told county commissioners”

The development along Golden Gate Parkway would have a veteran practice area. Children and veterans would receive discounted fees, as would other Collier County residents.

“We have a golden opportunity,” Bumpous stated.

He stated that Arthrex, one of Southwest Florida’s largest employers, is “proud to invest in our community with this facility, which will also help support employee retention for all Southwest Florida employers” after the county commission’s vote to invite negotiations.”

Arthrex has a talented team of architects, developers, and golf course designers. Golf great Peter Jacobsen, a renowned course designer, showcases the Willow Oak tree setting. In addition to designing more than a dozen courses nationwide, he told county commissioners that working on a First Tee project is a “huge bonus.”

“I’m really happy with this plan,” stated county commissioner Bill McDaniel. “I like the nine-hole golf course. I like the layout. I like the collaborations.”

Other commissioners concur.

Commission chairman Rick LoCastro called the plan vibrant and well-planned.

“This isn’t just some fly-by-night thing that we are throwing together,” He said.

LoCastro was excited to add such a project to the county’s footprint with so many professionals.

The famous Naples firm MHK Architecture is performing all the design work for First Tee for free. After presenting to the county, firm president Matthew Kragh stated the company will donate $650,000 in services.

“We are committed to making this a reality,” stated commissar Bill McDaniel. “Golf changed my life. I learned manners, ethics, and other lifelong skills I value today.”

After a long-term lease expires, Collier County would reclaim the development.

More than four years have passed since the golf course closed.

In July 2019, Collier County bought the property near Collier Boulevard and Golden Gate Parkway for $29.1 million to prevent overdevelopment and retain a public golf course.

The land also has a veteran nursing center and workforce housing.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News