Multi-family development may claim part of Players Club course

Reaction to plans from the new owners of the Ponte Vedra Golf and Country Club, indicating interest in redeveloping part of the golf course for a multifamily development project, has some Historic City News readers concerned.

James B. Porter of Jacksonville, managing partner of Ponte Vedra Beach-based Alta Mar Holdings LLC, purchased the property in the Sawgrass Players Club subdivision during February.

“The process for any development would be slow and require changes to a planned unit development currently filed with the local county government,” the new owners told the community’s board of directors. “All homeowners will have a chance to voice their support or opposition for the plans.”

Derek Gilliam reported in today’s Jacksonville Business Journal that plans for the golf course may include converting six of the eighteen holes into multi-family homes; with a three-story condominium and 200 patio homes.

“The Players Club community has been in existence since 1975 providing quality living for our residents; including affordable recreation,” said a letter from the community’s Board of Directors to the residents. “As homeowners, we do not think this proposal is in the community’s best interest.”

While tension continues to build in the residential Sawgrass Players Club community, the governing board has engaged the new owners in a series of conversations through various appointed committees.