MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — One of the country’s golf capitals is adding another golf course to its already large list of golf courses. And the course’s owners include some well-known names.
County commissioners on Tuesday approved the final site plan for Phase 2 of the Three Lakes Golf Club, where another 18-hole golf course will be built. Two courses were part of Phase 1, according to county documents. The area is west of Jupiter and Hobe Sound, where a number of PGA Tour professionals currently live.
“It’s a first-class project,” said Commissioner Ed Ciampi before the vote, which ended 4-1. Commissioner Sarah Heard disagreed without giving a reason.
The developer protected as many trees as possible in their original location and rescued and replanted many others, Ciampi added.
The club’s owners include former USGA CEO Mike Davis, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, course architect Tom Fazio II and former LPGA player Lynn Connelly. The group also has a stake in the Apogee Club, currently under construction just a few miles away.
“They will be a major employer,” he said, and they will contribute generously to local charities.
Land use attorney Bob Raynes Jr., who represents the project developer, declined to comment after the vote, saying he was not authorized to do so.
Project Details
The project’s 282-hectare site will include the new golf course, the so-called North Course, eight golf cottages for short and weekend stays, a performance center, a golf training center and a maintenance building.
Three Lakes Golf Club is a private club on 1,217 acres at 3535 Southwest Kanner Highway in unincorporated Martin County north of Southwest Bridge Road, according to county records. It is unclear if the facilities will be open to the public. There are no homes on the property.
According to the Tourism and Marketing Authority, there are more than 28 golf courses in Martin County.
Rural lifestyle
In February, county officials changed the zoning designation for the golf club to the controversial “rural lifestyle” designation, county planner Brian Elam told commissioners.
The term “rural lifestyle” is controversial because it allows for more intensive development of, for example, western agricultural areas.
Opponents of this designation believe that it will lose the distinction from Martin County, which has so far resulted in only limited growth.
County staff recommended that commissioners approve the final site plan for Phase 2. There was no public comment on the proposal.
Keith Burbank is TCPalm’s watchdog reporter for Martin County. He can be reached at [email protected] and at 720-288-6882.
