ST. AUGUSTINE (Florida) — The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum was the brainchild of Deane Beman who later became one of the museum’s inductees. Its attendance plummeted even before the pandemic that will see most museums close in 2020.
According to the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), attendance at museums in the United States was down by 38 percent from the pre-pandemic level of 2022. 17 percent of museum director believed that there was a risk of closing.
After a 20-year Shell sponsorship agreement expired in 2018, it became increasingly difficult for the Hall of Fame’s to cover its costs.
Officials of the World Golf Foundation are quick to point that only the location of the Hall of Fame has changed.
The United States Golf Association plans to open the new version of its Hall of Fame on the six-acre Golf House Pinehurst Campus in the spring of 2024. The Golf Writers Association of America selected the first class of the Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, which opened there in 1974.
Herbert said during his visit to the site last week, “It is back where it all began.” It makes perfect sense for it to be relocated there.
The World Golf Hall of Fame is now a joint venture between the USGA, and the World Golf Foundation. It has relocated to the Global Home of the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The Foundation will oversee the nomination and election of new members and organize and stage induction ceremonies. The next ceremony is scheduled for the week before the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June next year, when Padraig harrington, Tom Weiskopf, and the founding members of LPGA will highlight the Class of 2024.
Greg McLaughlin said that the World Golf Foundation’s executive director, Greg McLaughlin stated: “Once the USGA is inducted into the Hall of Fame they will be managing it day to day.” The foundation will offer curating and work with them on events.
The World Golf Hall of Fame Member Locker Room at Pinehurst Resort. The World Golf Hall of Fame Members Locker Room at Pinehurst Resort will open in late spring 2024.
What can you do with your property?
Now the question is what to make of a 64,000 square foot Hall of Fame and Museum, a 17,865 square foot IMAX Theater and a 36-acre parcel of land.
The issue will also arise in early 2025, when PGA Tour Entertainment vacates the 32,000-square-foot building in Ponte Vedra for a brand new building near the Tour headquarters.
St. Johns County has been soliciting opinions from the public on the use of its property and buildings through two public meetings and a survey posted on the county’s website.
The meetings are scheduled for September 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Sept. 28, from 9-11 am at the St. Johns County Administration Building Auditorium located at 500 San Sebastian View St. Augustine.
Arnold stated that the county received over 2,300 responses via email or the survey. She said that many of the suggestions revolve around the use of the land for recreational purposes, as it has been used in the past to host Easter Egg Hunts, Holiday Tree Decorating Contests, Car Shows and School Field Trips.
She said, “I believe people want to see some type of recreation.” “An asset for the community that benefits all demographics, and the county in general.” A strategic plan is important for the future.
Arnold ruled out any further residential development by pointing to the many single-family houses and condos that were built on or around the site over the last quarter century.
She said, “We don’t want the traffic to get worse because we already have a lot of [residential] homes there.”
Dean also suggested renting canoes and kayaks to use on the lake and using part of Hall of Fame as a branch of the county’s library.
He said, “It can be a sort of town center, multi-use park or a place where kids and families can play.” “But we want to encourage our residents’ creativity.” We’re listening.”
