Belt-Tightening Florida Eyeing Finance Of A Nicklaus Golf Trail**
/The Union-Tribune's Mark Woods reveals Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott's efforts to reduce government spending to work with Jack Nicklaus, resulting in a bill before the state legislature called the "Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail of Florida" act.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, and Rep. Pat Rooney, R-West Palm Beach. It would allow the construction in at least five state parks, with courses designed by Nicklaus' company and financed by revenue bonds. Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, also sponsored another "golf trail" bill.
I know what some of you are thinking: Don't we have a few golf courses already?
Yes, we have the most of any state. More than 1,000, including 33 designed by Nicklaus. But we don't have Olustee Links. Yet.
Can't you see it? "Don't just hit out of a bunker, hit out of a Civil War bunker! Want to play a real island hole? Check out No. 17 on Fort George Island G.C."
OK, so far the only state park mentioned by name is Jonathan Dickinson in Martin County. Which is interesting because of what is right next to that park.
A golf course.
**Howard Troxler of the St. Petersburg Times calls Jack Nicklaus golf courses in state parks "the worst idea in history."
The first 100 lines or so of the bills contain a series of "whereas" clauses that heap deserved praise upon Nicklaus. Just for a sample:
WHEREAS, there is no name more synonymous with greatness in the sport of golf than Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 professional major-championship titles …
And so forth. The bill goes on to create the "Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail" in Florida's state parks, requiring at least five such courses around the state, and orders the state government to contract with Nicklaus to design them.
Oh, and the courses that will be built in state parks also get to have hotels.
Oh, and the hotels will be exempt from any pesky local government regulations.
Oh, and we will borrow the money to do it all, and pay it off with all the money that the state is going to make.
