TGO Golf Course Presentation

NORTH BREVARD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE (NBEDZ) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUEST FOR NBEDZ ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORM FOR:

The Great Outdoors Golf Course Renovation Part 1A: NAME OF BUSINESS: The Great Outdoors Premier R.V. / Golf Resort Community Services Association, Inc.

T F

Part 1B: CONTACT INFORMATION: Primary Contact: Billy Specht Title: General Manager Phone: 321-268-9767 Email: manager@tgocsa.org

Secondary Contact: Cliff Creech Title: Chairman & CEO Phone: 321-268-9767 Email: chairman@tgocsa.org

A R

Mailing Address: 100-D Plantation Drive, Titusville, FL 32780 Website: www.tgocsa.org

D

Part 1C: BUSINESS INFORMATION: Federal Employer Identification #: Dunn & Bradstreet #: NAICS#: Unemployment Account #: State Sales Tax Registration #:

59-2964957 831114199 813990 2265182 15-8016357053-4, 15-8011924645-2

Part 1D: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT THAT APPLIES: Strategic Initiative PART 2A: IS THE PROJECT LOCATED WITHIN THE NBEDZ BOUNDARY AREA? Yes PART 2B: PROPOSED PROJECT ADDRESS: 137 Plantation Drive, Titusville, FL 32780 PART 2D: PROJECT ANTICIPATED START DATE: Monday, April 15, 2024

Page 1

PART 2E: FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: The Great Outdoors is committed to investing in the future of North Brevard through a complete, comprehensive golf course renovation beginning April 2024.

Every healthy, growing community deserves a top-notch golf course. The Great Outdoors golf course in Titusville, FL, is open to the public, and has proudly served residents and visitors of North Brevard for over 30 years. The project to renovate our golf course includes installation of a new irrigation system, and the reconstruction of the green complexes, approaches, cart-paths and tee boxes. This renovation will also allow us to upgrade several aspects of the course layout, improve drainage by upgrading stormwater flows, move cart paths away from existing homes, and introduce some new landscaping elements. All along the way, The Great Outdoors has specific plans to improve environmental sustainability and increase water conservation. These changes will breathe new life into the course, offering our players fresh challenges and a renewed sense of excitement for the sport of golf in North Brevard.

T F

Why is it important to redevelop our golf course?

We have seen the unfortunate closure of two well-established golf courses in North Brevard in recent years: Royal Oak Golf Course and Sherwood Golf Course. These two golf courses failed in part because their owners didn’t plan to reinvest in the long-term maintenance and viability of their courses. As the decades pass, it is necessary to renovate golf courses. Golf irrigation systems eventually become ineffective and obsolete. Golf course surface infrastructures eventually erode to the point where daily maintenance is just not enough. Golf course renovations improve water conservation and environmental sustainability, enhance the golfing experience, attract additional players and ensure the long-term success of the facility and surrounding community. According to Chuck Kandt, our Golf Professional, “This upcoming renovation will not be a band-aid fix, we have been ambitious from the start with a vision that will result in a renewed asset for The Great Outdoors and the North Brevard community.”

A R

D

What has happened to the surface of our aging golf course?

After 30 years of play, our golf course features have eroded. Greens have shrunk in size, tee boxes have become irregular, and landscape elements have aged and matured. The original greens built 30-years ago were constructed from the native earth material. This material is heavily organic and does not drain properly.

Golf courses such as ours operate seven days a week, 365 days a year. There is little time to make major repairs or improvements to a golf course while it is in operation. Golf courses eventually require a shut down, and a major renovation to maintain their appeal and keep pace with evolving player expectations. Because we are upgrading and replacing sensitive greens turf, we cannot shut down parts of our course. The entire course must be renovated at the same time to prevent cross contamination.

What has happened to our 30-year-old irrigation system?

Irrigation is the single-most important feature of a golf course as it keeps our sensitive turf healthy and subsidizes the rain (or lack of rain) that Mother Nature provides. Our existing irrigation system is in a constant state of repair. Precious man hours and operating funds needed to mow and maintain the golf course are being redirected to placing “band-aids” on our system. Our golf course team is regularly digging up and repairing underground irrigation leaks, hand-watering “hot spots” on our course or searching for replacement parts for a system that is now obsolete. It is time to stop burning resources, time, and money, on a system that is outdated and failing.

Page 2

How will our golf course renovation improve environmental sustainability?

In recent years, environmental sustainability has become a crucial consideration for golf course management. Environmental preservation is at the core of The Great Outdoors! Our community is essentially a nature and wildlife sanctuary nestled along the St. Johns River. Our community is home to many species of plants and animal life, and it was founded by people who were committed to cherishing and preserving nature. Our golf course renovation project will incorporate new, eco-friendly practices that conserve water, reduce chemical usage, and enhance biodiversity. We are committed to following and supporting the specific Eco-friendly practices and programs you will find a link to on page 13: The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, Operation Pollinator & Environmental Management Practices for Golf Courses.

The Florida golf Industry has made big strides in recent years with environmental concerns. Governor Ron DeSantis, in 2022, signed House Bill 967, creating a certification process for Best Management Practices (BMPs) on Florida golf courses. Shane Willey, our golf course superintendent, recently completed certification in this course through University of Florida on August 17, 2023 (see attached certificate on page 10.). Shane states, “By following these BMPs during our renovation, The Great Outdoors will enhance wildlife habitats, create pollinators, increase native vegetation areas and natural areas that provide shelter, concealment and food for wildlife.” Shane goes on to say that, “It Is my personal goal with this renovation to use my experience, my tools and training to ensure the continuation of environmental preservation for our community and our region.”

T F

A R

D

How will our golf course renovation improve water conservation, and benefit the Indian River and St. Johns River?

Renovations to The Great Outdoors drainage will allow us to function as a filter and buffer for storm water runoff, thus reducing erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient pollution that would eventually find its way into our neighboring Indian River and St. Johns River. We will be able to conserve water by using new drought tolerant turf grasses and modern technology in our new irrigation system. Another benefit to our environment will be switching from using old PVC pipe to using HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipe that has nontoxic, corrosion and chemical resistant qualities that make it environmentally sustainable and durable. The Great Outdoors has a wastewater treatment plant onsite, and the treated, effluent water is used as irrigation water for our golf course and homesites, creating a closed-loop, constant source of water for our irrigation needs.

According to Mike Pignato, our Irrigation Consultant and Architect, “The modern irrigation system I have designed for The Great Outdoors will greatly improve the playability of the golf course while conserving water. The installation includes over 60,000 feet of new pipe and over 800 sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads can be individually controlled to allow greater management of the turf with less water usage. A properly sized mainline would shrink the water time window and reduce electrical costs to operate it.

Having uniform sprinkler heads with accurate nozzles throughout the course will eliminate excess water waste and encourage firmer playing conditions and healthier turf. This new irrigation system is stateof-the-art, designed to accurately apply water only in areas that need it, and it is expected to last 30+ years.” For more information, see attachment on page 12, “Golf & Water, How the Game of Golf is Working for the Environment.”

Page 3

How can we attract new players?

Golf courses must continually adapt to attract and retain players, particularly as the demographic and interests of golfers evolve.

Renovating The Great Outdoors course allows for the integration of new amenities and features that cater to the changing needs of players.

We are already a two-time Florida Today award winner for the Best of The Best Golf Course of Brevard in 2022 and 2023. An improved, updated course will bring more people to our community who in return will spend money that stimulates the economy of our local restaurants, hotels and other businesses.

How do we ensure long-term economic viability for our course?

The renovation of The Great Outdoors Golf Course helps maintain our competitiveness in a dynamic market, with heavy competition in central and south Brevard. The economic viability of our golf course relies on our ability to attract players, generate revenue, and remain financially sustainable. Simply put, a refreshed and updated facility is likely to attract more golfers whether through competitive events, corporate events or just everyday play. By investing in renovations, our golf course demonstrates its commitment to long-term success and positions itself as a premier destination in North Brevard for golf enthusiasts.

T F

A R

Renovating our golf course is an essential step to ensure its continued success and maintain its relevance in the face of changing player expectations and environmental concerns. Enhancing the golfing experience, improving environmental sustainability, attracting new players, and ensuring long-term viability are all compelling reasons why we have embarked on this renovation. By embracing these improvements, The Great Outdoors Golf Course can offer an exceptional golfing experience for decades to come.

D

PART 2F: HOW AN INCENTIVE FROM NBEDZ WILL MAKE A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE IN OUR RENOVATION: Grant incentive and support from NBEDZ will make a major impact on our ability to complete this project without the need to borrow money or over-burden our TGO homeowners with major increases in their assessments. Many of our owners are on fixed incomes.

The Great Outdoors community began reserving funds for this renovation six years ago. When planning first began, the pacing of funds collected was ample to complete this project. According to experts in the golf renovation business, Covid inflation in 2021 and 2022 increased the cost of materials and labor by 40% over pre-Covid values. We cannot wait another year to renovate our golf course. This is why we are seeking NBEDZ grant assistance.

The biggest financial factor to contend with during the renovation is the requirement to shut down our golf course for approximately six months. In addition to the major investment in our course, we will receive no income during our closure. This loss of golf play will also affect our Blue Heron Restaurant revenue, as a significant percentage of our restaurant business comes from hungry golfers coming in for some food and a refreshment following their round.

Page 4

It is important to note that there will be no reduction in the workforce at TGO during the renovation. We have a plan to use existing golf operation staff to support our renovation process. In an effort to keep our golf program “alive” during our six-month closure, we are working on reciprocal golf programs with other area courses, and we are researching the use of golf simulators onsite.

PART 2G: ECONOMIC IMPACTS THIS PROJECT WILL STIMULATE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL ECONOMY Every great community deserves a beautiful golf course. The Great Outdoors is open to the public for golf and dining. We are pleased to host many of North Brevard’s annual community fund-raising golf tournaments, such as the Parrish Foundation’s “Fran Garret” tournament, the YMCA Golf Classic, the Chamber of Commerce “Networking on the Green,” and the Elks Club annual invitational. In addition, we host several weekly Kennedy Space Center and Boeing leagues for players from throughout our community. Finally, we support youth golf and serve as the home course for Space Coast High School’s girls and boys teams.

According to Chuck Kandt, our PGA Golf Professional and Director of Golf Operations, “Our golf course currently employs 12 full time and 25 part-time employees. Renovation of our golf course will ensure employment for our golf course team, for 30 more years in the golf industry. Renovations and improvements to our course will result in growth and additional employment opportunities, along with incremental spending in the community from group and tournament players. With the closing of Royal Oaks and Sherwood golf courses, The Great Outdoors has placed itself as one of the most sought-after golfing experiences in North Brevard County, and continues to draw new players from outside the Titusville area.”

T F

A R

PART 2J: ANTICIPATED DATE OPERATIONS WILL RESUME:

D

The Great Outdoors expects that turf will be properly grown in by November 2024.

PART 2K: OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL INCENTIVES APPLIED FOR: No other state or local incentives have been applied for at this time.

PART 2L: ANNUAL SALES EXPECTED TO RESULT FROM PROJECT:

We expect incremental growth in rounds played and a slight increase in the cost per round following our renovation. We are limited by the amount of available tee times. We must be cautious about increasing play because more volume will damage new turf. Below you will find our previous years of rounds played and a forecast of future rounds played:

Page 5

Year

Golf Rounds Played

Average $ Per Round

Notes

2021

46,349

$22.97

Actual

2022

46,946

$25.27

Actual

2023

48,873

$25.74

Projected based on play through August

2024

28,350

$26.35

Rounds affected by six months of closure

2025

50,338

$27.12

Full year projected with growth

PART 2M: CRIMINAL OR CIVIL FINES, PENALTIES OR ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS: There are currently no criminal or civil fines, penalties or ongoing investigations being imposed on our company, executives or affiliates. There are no bankruptcy proceedings.

PART 2N: THREE YEARS OF REVIEWED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Audited finacials are available online at www.tgocsa.org Username is: tgohomeowner Password is: rvgolfnature PART 5A: DEVELOPMENT PLAN, INCLUDING COST ESTIMATES, TOTAL INVESTMENT, TIMELINE AND NBEDZ ASSISTANCE REQUESTED: EST. COST

STATUS

Golf Course & Irrigation Architect Design Work

$245,000

80% completed

A R

Irrigation Construction Contractor

$1,491,000

Contract awarded, 1% deposit paid

Irrigation Sprinkler Head Purchase

$238,000

Purchased and Paid 100%

Golf Course Construction Contractor, for Rebuilding of Greens, Tees, Approaches and Cart Path Renovations

$1,900,000

Scope of work complete, cost estimated by our architect, RFP is out to bid by four contractors

Environmental & Permit Consulting

$20,000

75% completed and paid

Purchase of Green Sprigs

$61,000

Contracted and Paid 100%

Soil Testing

$10,000

Contracted with Burrows Testing

Purchase of Tee Sprigs, Sod for Tees, Approaches and Surrounds

$200,000

Estimated

Chemicals for Spray-out Fertilizers for Grow-in

$100,000

Estimated

ESTIMATED PROJECT TOTAL

$4,265,000

D

Page 6

T F

ACTIVITY / DESCRIPTION OF WORK

FUNDING SOURCES

FUND

*TGO Homeowner Reserve Fund Collections

$3,626,000

ESTIMATED PROJECT TOTAL FROM ABOVE

-$4,265,000

SHORTFALL

-$639,000

Requested Assistance from NBEDZ Grant

$639,000

Please Note: These dates are projections only and may be subject to change.

Page 7

D

A R

T F

DESCRIPTION OF PHASES IN TIMELINE: Course Spray Out: Beginning in January 2024, we will spray areas due for renovation with an herbicide solution to kill the existing vegetation and grass areas, creating a blank canvas for the renovation to begin.

Mobilization Of Resources: Our TGO team will coordinate with contractors and consultants on the mobilization and delivery of materials, equipment, machinery and other resources. We have developed a comprehensive timeline to organize the sequencing of these activities and keep this project running smoothly.

Golf Course Closing Date: We have decided that our closing date for renovation will be April 15, 2024, due to Easter Sunday falling on March 31. The last day to play on the golf course will be Sunday, April 14.

Initial Excavation Work: The early stage of the renovation includes the clearing of vegetation and old irrigation systems, and elimination of all obstructions that may hinder or interfere with the new layouts and design.

T F

Irrigation Construction: Our selected contractor will remove excess soil, then level or reshape areas for trenching and installation of new irrigation systems. We will be installing over 60,000 feet of pipe and over 800 sprinkler heads for the irrigation system, plus all the necessary valving. Proper drainage is crucial for a well-maintained golf course. As part of the construction phase, drainage systems will be installed or upgraded to improve water flow and prevent issues like flooding or waterlogging in specific areas.

A R

Greens and Tees Construction: Our selected contractor will remove the old greens, and some existing green surfaces will be reshaped and contoured according to our innovative design. Proper drainage is essential for maintaining healthy greens and our new greens will incorporate USGA specifications. Our existing tee areas will also be graded and shaped with new soil and then sprigged or sodded with our chosen turfgrasses.

D

Contractors Demobilization: There will be a lot of equipment, shipping pallets, crates, etc., that will need to be removed so we can start the grow-in process.

Grassing: This important phase involves establishing new turfgrass on the course. Different grasses will be used for different areas, considering factors like playability, appearance, and maintenance requirements.

Grow-In: This is the process of establishing and developing the new turfgrass on the course. After the grass has been planted, it needs time to grow and mature into a fully functional playing surface and establish a strong root system.

Aerification: This process involves creating small holes or channels in the turf and soil to improve the air and water exchange, alleviate soil compaction, and promote healthy root growth. Aerification is scheduled when the turf is actively growing and can recover quickly.

Course Detail Prep: A crucial step to make sure our course returns to its award-winning condition. There are a lot of details that include signage and directional markers, tee boxes, water stations and other amenities.

Page 8

Course Re-rating: This refers to the process of reassessing and adjusting the course’s rating and slope values and is conducted by a committee representing the USGA and the FSGA. The rating and slope values provide golfers with information about the difficulty of the course which affects their handicap or skill level.

Reopen The Golf Course: Our projected date at this time is November 4. There are a lot of variables that will determine opening on this exact date. Hopefully all the contractors will perform on schedule but most importantly, we need Mother Nature to cooperate. One hurricane could affect the grow-in process and set us back several weeks.

Limited Play: For the remainder of 2024 following reopening, we will limit the amount of tee times on the new course. It is not advisable to have a high volume of play as soon as the course re-opens. The plan is to increase daily play availability as the turf develops.

PART 5B: MARKET NEED INCLUDING JOB ATTRACTION Renovations and improvements to our course will result in growth and additional employment opportunities, along with incremental spending in the community from group and tournament players.

T F

PART 5C: MARKETING PLAN

The Great Outdoors advertises locally in Florida Today,, Savings Safari Safari,, through social media and other local outlets. We intend to promote the improvements we are making to our course, but no specific or new marketing plans are currently in place at this time. We will look to working with NBEDZ staff, as permitted, to promote our partnership to improve and grow North Brevard. Advertising will resume once our course re-opens to the public. The good news is that golfers tend to talk, and when a golf course has been renovated, the word-of-mouth alone is enough to generate and attract new business.

A R

D

PART 5D: SITE PLAN AND DESIGN CONCEPTS

See attachments from our golf and irrigation consultants on page 11.

NORTH

Project Site

Page 9

A R

T F

D

Page 10

A R

T F

D

The Great Outdoors Golf Course

Page 11

ASGCA-WATER-1:NEW-ASGCA WATER

N TECHNOLOGY

Innovations for efficient irrigation are being implemented on golf courses.

Soil, plant, and weather sensors mean less water is used thanks to these advancements.



10/22/09

5:33 PM

Page 1

Golf &Water H O W the G A M E is WORKING for the ENVIRONMENT

T F

NATURALIZATION

Golf courses are becoming more natural as fewer acres of high-maintenance turfgrass are planted and out-of-play areas are converted to non-irrigated natural habitat.

WATER RECYCLING G

Golf courses are using recycled water for irrigation. As of 2005, more than 12% of U.S. courses have adopted the practice.

S

A R

D

g

A PRODUCTIVE USE OF WATER

In 2007, the U.S. golf economy was estimated at $76 billion. Golf returns a direct benefit to local economies, making it an important industry that is larger than the motion picture business.

WETLANDS

Naturalized areas on golf courses often include wetlands and other non-turf areas, accounting for a significant acreage of open space land.

TURFGRASS SCIENCE

Research funded by golf has yielded new grasses that require less water and are more drought-tolerant.

Parks, sports fields and lawns benefit from this research.

 DROUGHT READY

Golf course architects are planning ahead for flexibility in water use.

Capturing stormwater and planting drought tolerant turfgrasses are preparing golf for the future.

BIO-FILTERING

The turfgrass and open spaces of golf courses are efficient at filtering pollutants in water that runs off our highways, rooftops, and developed areas.

R

WATER HARVESTING

Many golf courses collect stormwater for irrigation use. New technology can enhance the recharging of ground water reserves. Ultimately, less water from other sources is needed and ground water resources are replenished.

Less than 15% of U.S. golf courses use municipal water for irrigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ASGCA AT 262-786-5960 or www.asgca.org The information presented has been reviewed by the following organizations together with the American Society of Golf Course Architects:

American Society of Golf Course Architects ©2009 ASGCA. PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN MURRAY OF LÜBKER GOLF RESORT

Page 12

Environmental Management Practices for Golf Courses Since its inception in 1991, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) has been assisting golf courses in their efforts to implement environmentally responsible maintenance practices into day -to-day golf course operations.

Drawing upon the expertise and experience of golf course superintendents, golf industry experts, university researchers, and environmental professionals from diverse backgrounds, Audubon International has developed Standard Environmental Management Practices that are generally applicable to all golf courses. These practices form the basis for the ACSP’s certification guidelines.

Environmental Planning

Evaluation and planning helps course managers to balance the demands of golf with their responsibility to the natural environment. An initial site assessment and environmental plan, followed by yearly review and goal setting, helps golf course superintendents and others to responsibly care for the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources upon which the course is sustained.

•

•

• • •

•

•

Conduct a site assessment to identify the physical characteristics of the property, evaluate current environmental management practices, and identify strengths and liabilities.

Develop a map of the course that highlights wildlife habitats, water resources, and management zones to use for planning and project implementation.

Set goals and priorities and assign responsibilities to staff.

Evaluate progress toward goals and objectives at least once per year.

Train employees regarding the importance of environmental sustainability and specific techniques for ensuring environmental quality.

Communicate regularly to employees, customers, stakeholders, and community members about environmental goals, issues, project implementation, and progress.

Document environmental activities and results to assist with planning and to track progress.

G LF & WATER CASE STUDIES IN WATER STEWARDSHIP

"Regardless of how well a property is managed, going through the Audubon certification process makes the operation better. The process requires a Superintendent to evaluate all their practices and programs which in some cases results in a better way to manage. The process can seem daunting at first. Tackle certification by setting mini-goals that can be tracked. It doesn't take as long as most think."

D

www.auduboninternational.org | 518-767-9051

Operation Pollinator:

Positive Action for Pollinators

T F

A R

- David H. Robinson, CGCS, CGIA Senior Director, Golf Grounds, Global Golf Division, Marriott International

AMERICAN SOC IET Y OF GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

The Great Outdoors Golf Course’s goal is to become an Audubon Certified course Audubon International, a nonprofit that assesses golf courses for their eco-friendliness, has now certified over 1000 courses globally for providing needed habitat for insects and birds. Creating an attractive space for flowers and animals makes a golf course more appealing to the users, less expensive to maintain and simply better for the earth.

Golf courses have long been known for providing natural benefits for our environment. Audubon sets these standards for environmental resources including land, water, wildlife and natural resources. The Great Outdoors course will include selected wildflower areas that will act as pollinators and butterfly habitats to complement our existing natural wildlife resources.

References www.auduboninternational.org www.syngentagroup.com www.asgca.org

Page 13

D

A R

T F