Canadian-based Cabot, a rapidly growing golf course developer and owner, is facing opposition from environmentalists in Florida over plans to add new golf holes at Cabot Citrus Farms north of Tampa. The proposal involves swapping 324 acres of Withlacoochee State Forest land near the resort for over 800 acres of Cabot-owned timberland in a different county. This move has sparked concerns among various organizations and individuals who fear that it could set a precedent for the exploitation of public lands.
The ongoing debate follows previous conflicts between environmental interests and golf development, including a recent controversial proposal to build golf courses in a Florida State Park in southeast Florida. Public opinion on social media and in local newspapers suggests that the issue of converting public lands into golf courses remains contentious.
Cabot purchased the former World Woods Golf Club in 2022 and rebranded it as Citrus Farms, introducing the Karoo course designed by architect Kyle Franz. The resort also features two new short courses and plans to offer rental homes and upscale cabins. Approval of the land swap could potentially lead to further golf course development on the property.
The proposed land exchange involves a small portion of protected land within Withlacoochee State Forest, located adjacent to Citrus Farms. Cabot aims to trade this land for a larger parcel in Levy County, around 60 miles north of the current location. The CEO of Cabot, Ben Cowan-Dewar, emphasizes the economic benefits of expanding golf facilities, creating more jobs, and enhancing the overall appeal of Citrus Farms as a destination. However, critics argue that such a trade-off undermines the conservation value of the state-owned lands and threatens Florida’s natural habitats and wildlife.
Opposition to the proposal has gained momentum, with environmental organizations like Florida Audubon expressing concerns about setting a dangerous precedent for future development on conservation lands. The controversy surrounding Cabot’s plan mirrors the recent uproar over a failed attempt to introduce golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park on the other side of Florida. The fate of the proposed land swap rests with the state’s Acquisition and Restoration Council, which will assess the potential environmental impact before advising Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet.
The upcoming meeting of the ARC on September 12 will be a crucial juncture in the decision-making process. However, the lack of transparency around the timeline for public input and deliberation has raised doubts about the fairness of the evaluation process. The parallels between the Cabot proposal and the Jonathan Dickinson State Park debacle underscore the broader debate over balancing economic development with environmental conservation in Florida.
Despite the shared focus on golf, the contrasting nature of the two protected lands – a well-utilized state park versus a less-trafficked forest area – highlights the complexity of the issue at hand. While golf enthusiasts may see opportunities for new courses, conservationists emphasize the intrinsic value of protecting Florida’s natural landscapes for future generations. The outcome of Cabot’s land swap proposal will not only shape the future of Citrus Farms but also set a precedent for the use of public lands in the state.
