NGF consultants were closely involved in the multi-year restoration project at Hollywood Beach GC
Jupiter, FL — For the National Golf Foundation’s consulting team, the recent reopening of Hollywood Beach Golf Club in South Florida represents the successful culmination of a years-long collaboration on the restoration of a century-old Golden Age public course – an extensive effort driven by city officials and supported by residents.
One of three golf facilities operated by the City of Hollywood, along with 36-hole Orangebrook and the 9-hole Eco Grande executive course, Hollywood Beach closed in spring of 2024 for a comprehensive two-year renovation. The project was overseen by golf architect Richard Mandel, who in recent years undertook a similar restoration of a historic Donald Ross-designed golf course for the City of Sarasota, Florida. While Hollywood Beach was long thought to have Ross ties, research conducted during the re-imagining found no evidence of his involvement, with historical records that instead pointed to the influence of Willie Park Jr. and other Golden Age influences that Mandell embraced to dictate the new design.
NGF has been the City of Hollywood’s golf consultant for years and NGF Senior Director of Consulting Services Richard Singer was intimately involved throughout the process, helping local officials determine what was needed to improve the property during the preliminary stages and then serving as an on-call consultant throughout. The latter included attending regular bi-weekly meetings to monitor progress and provide expertise as the project advanced (NGF is the industry’s leading municipal golf consultancy).
The course at Hollywood Beach Golf Club features new greens, new bunkering, restored ground movement and expanded playing corridors. Several stately Banyan trees over 100 years old were able to remain in place with the relocation of several greens, which in turn reduced the shade issues that were leading to strained turf quality. In several areas prone to flooding, dirt was excavated to create new ponds for water storage. And the most visible changes upon April’s official re-opening included a new clubhouse, expanded practice areas, a performance training space, and “The Island” – a new short course and accompanying social golf environment that captures the modern playing experience.
“Kudos to the city and its residents for believing in this property and being willing to take the steps to approve the funding to make it happen,” said Singer, who has been an integral part of NGF’s Consulting team for more than three decades. “The foresight is really with the Citizens of Hollywood who agreed to fund the improvements.”
Singer, who was among those recognized at the Hollywood Beach ribbon-cutting ceremony, and NGF regularly work with municipalities and local governments around the country to help officials understand specific needs, opportunities and goals as it relates to public golf.
Next up for the City of Hollywood is turning its attention to Orangebrook GC and ways to improve that property, a process throughout which NGF has also remained involved. The intent has been to stagger the renovations so that one of the regulation-length courses would always be open for area residents.
“Now that Hollywood Beach is reopened,” said Singer, “it may give them an opportunity to accelerate the pace on Orangebrook because they don’t have to worry they wouldn’t have a muni golf course for their citizens to use.”
The public golf transformation in Hollywood, Florida, is just one example of what’s possible when committed local leadership is paired with the right expertise. Whether you’re a municipality looking to maximize the value of a golf asset, an owner or operator navigating challenges such as a renovation, restoration, repositioning or other development, a prospective buyer or lender looking to evaluate a facility, or a prospective client seeking strategic guidance, NGF Consulting brings decades of unrivaled experience in the sector. NGF’s team combines deep market intelligence, data-driven analysis, and on-the-ground operational expertise that has helped hundreds of clients make informed decisions and achieve long-term success.
To explore how NGF Consulting can support your next project, visit ngf.org/services/consulting or contact Senior Director of Consulting Services Richard Singer at rsinger@ngf.org.
About the NGF
Founded in 1936, the National Golf Foundation is a dynamic membership organization supported and trusted by thousands of golf related businesses and individuals who rely on NGF to provide the most up-to-date, accurate and objective insights on the state of the game and business of golf. It is the only trade association for everyone in the golf business, advocating for growth by educating and connecting its members. NGF is also the leading marketing services provider in golf, leveraging a database of 2.5 million golfers and the industry’s most comprehensive worldwide database of golf facilities. Additionally, NGF’s research arm works with individual companies to help them better understand their markets and grow their businesses. If you’re not among the hundreds of businesses that help support NGF’s ongoing research efforts through membership, we invite you to join the community.
Contact:
Erik Matuszewski
National Golf Foundation
Editorial Director
(561) 354-1637
(609) 577-0652
erikm@ngf.org
