Florida state parks golf courses : According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the “project will be removed from agency review.”
The group behind the idea to create golf courses on Jonathan Dickinson State Park has withdrawn its proposal, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection official told the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday.
According to a statement from the state agency, the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, a little-known nonprofit entity registered in Delaware, filed the design for the state park.
However, according to its Florida lobbyist registrations, the nonprofit shares an Oklahoma address with Folds of Honor, a national veterans charity that previously sought to establish golf courses on Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Folds of Honor, which has ties to famous golfer Jack Nicklaus, had previously sold the golf course concept to a state senator and a county commissioner in Martin County, both of whom advised the group that it was a bad idea. Gov. DeSantis’ itinerary reveals he met with the nonprofit’s founder, Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, on April 10.
In a statement distributed to Florida press, the Tuskeegee Dunes Foundation announced that it has picked Folds of Honor as the charity to receive proceeds from the golf course.
Conservative podcast host Dan Bongino, who lives in Martin County, where the proposed golf course will be built, said in an online statement Sunday that he spoke with his Folds of Honor pals, and they “do not plan to move forward on this project.” Bongino, who has donated thousands to the NGO, stated that the organization “just didn’t understand the local passion for JD Park.”
Despite Tuskeegee Dunes’ modest profile, the foundation employs two registered lobbyists in Tallahassee, including Ryan Matthews, who briefly commanded the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 2017. Neither Matthews nor the group’s other lobbyist, Joseph Salzverg, returned voicemails Sunday requesting more information about the organization.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection appreciates the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation’s sincere request for a public golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
While dropping their plan, the Foundation collaborated with the state to pursue a project that would have resulted in a public, world-class golf course for all, while also benefiting veterans, first responders, and their families. Their intention to memorialize the Tuskegee Airmen was admirable,” spokesperson Alex Kuchta said in a statement.
