D.R. Horton plans homes at closed golf course

Home builder D.R. Horton has a contract to buy a former golf course property in Cape Coral known as The Golf Club for an undisclosed price.

Representatives of Fort Worth, Texas-based D.R. Horton told Cape Coral City Manager John Szerlag the company hopes to build single-family homes on the 175-acre green space dominated by overgrown fairways.

Once a source of pride among Cape Coral residents, The Golf Club closed 10 years ago. The city subsequently rejected a proposal by the property’s owner, Florida Gulf Venture Inc., to build a mixed-used development there.

D.R. Horton has not applied to the city to develop The Golf Club property, but the prospect already has sparked criticism.

Mary Nielson, founder of a community campaign called “Save The Golf Club,” told the CapeCoral.com that the property is the last large green space in south Cape Coral, and D.R. Horton would eliminate the space by building homes there : “If this comes to pass, it’s sad.”

Cape Coral city spokeswoman Connie Barron said the future land use of the property is “parks” and the zoning designation is “residential.” [CapeCoral.com] — Mike Seemuth