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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: PThomas on August 04, 2009, 10:24:34 PM

Title: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: PThomas on August 04, 2009, 10:24:34 PM
did anyone else see the report that just aired on The Golf Channel?  its a Ginn development that turned into a disaster

a few poor souls actually built homes  there and now live in a ghost town, some lot owners have lost a lot of value, a lot of sad pictures of empty lots, etc...
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: John_Conley on August 05, 2009, 01:55:00 AM
It is on my DVR.  I will watch it.  Pretty good golf course.
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: Steve_ Shaffer on August 05, 2009, 07:39:22 AM
Bella Colina looked like a ghost town. Mark Lye was given a sweetheart deal on a lot to be a spokesman for this development. Can you believe that? He thought he could make money by flipping the lot. He couldn't so he decided to build a McMansion. Now he can't give it away. Other people were caught up the the typical Ginn hype and now are trying to sell their lots at deep discounts. The bubble bursted.

Is the golf course now public? Was Nick Faldo paid for his design?
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: Kenny Baer on August 05, 2009, 08:49:26 AM
Who has played the golf course? What do you think about it?

 It is on a great piece of land that is  unique to Florida; it is very close to Sugarloaf Mtn.

I think it was Faldo and Smyers. 
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: Steve_ Shaffer on August 05, 2009, 09:02:12 AM
Apparently the Reynolds Plantation owners have taken over Bella Collina:

http://www.bellacollina.com/announcement.php

The Golf Channel piece was basically an attack on Ginn and rightfully so IMO. Otherwise, the piece was lacking in details as it didn't mention the new ownership or their plans.

Sugarloaf Mountain by C&C is nearby. Perhaps a new GCA tournament can be held there: The Failed Development Open.  ;D

Here is some info from Faldo's website:

http://www.nickfaldo.com/design/design_portfolio/completed_courses/americas/29
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: Kenny Baer on August 05, 2009, 09:19:15 AM
Steve,

Have you played Bella Collina?
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: Steve_ Shaffer on August 05, 2009, 09:22:32 AM
I have not played BC. I'm just an interested and innocent bystander in the development game.
Title: Re: Bella Collina development in Florida on Golf in America
Post by: John_Conley on August 05, 2009, 11:30:08 AM
The stories I know of folks that thought they were going to make money on lots there would be comical if they weren't so sad.  Very, very, very few people familiar with the Orlando area were caught up on this.  Ginn is a buzz-generator extraordinairre.  Can't wait to watch the piece.

I'll say it again - pretty good golf course.  Much better than I thought it would be.  Nothing like Sugarloaf because it is neatly groomed, but the site is very interesting which lends itself to a fun course.  Lots of sand, which seems to be Smyers go-to move.  My guess is that almost everyone on the site would enjoy it, and some will love it.