BUILDING THE COURSE

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How much did it cost to build TPC Sawgrass Stadium course?

A lot of people talk about the cost of building golf courses. According to those involved in the construction of TPC Sawgrass, particularly Deane Beman, “The TOUR did not put a nickel into this golf course” to build it. 

Jerry Pate noted that THE PLAYERS would not let him spend anything on it.

“We actually completed this golf course within the budget that we had,” Beman explained several years ago. “The financial transaction was we paid a dollar for all the property, and I got 50 local businessmen to put up $20,000 for a charter membership. It was a leap of faith for them, but they got a great membership.” The membership was for 20 years.

Then, the TOUR had to build it.

“We then got a savings and loan out of Daytona Beach to give us a $3.5 million non-recourse loan,” Beman continued. “And then we signed up 3,000 local golfers as associate members at $25 apiece to assure us of some local play, and we built it within the budget.”

Money to make changes after that, while he was commissioner at least, came from the income of the course, Beman explained.