Winter Haven approves $2.65 million in Duke Energy funds for Willowbrook golf course renovations

Winter Haven City staff presented a plan to spend about $2,650,000 in Duke Energy funds on renovations at Willowbrook Golf Course, including greens replacement, irrigation main-line work and other course improvements, and said the course will close for about 30 days during construction.

City staff member Mr. Smith told the City Commission the money came from a Duke Energy payment tied to the Osprey project and easements and that the $2,650,000 figure reflects both completed work and remaining funds. "Collectively, these projects will take us to the, the $2,650,000 budget that we have," Smith said. He said some earlier expenditures — for example on equipment purchases — already reduced the remaining balance for contracting work.

The planned capital work includes irrigation pond renovation, a greens renovation that will remove and reestablish greens with a new 6‑inch root zone, replacement of about 800 linear feet of main irrigation line and replacement of roughly 685 irrigation heads, valve and controller work, and rework of the No. 14 green near the southwest corner of the course. Smith said the work will be done under an existing design‑build contract with Whitehead Construction and that Troon, the city’s golf facility manager, helped prioritize the scope.

Joe Coley, representing Troon, confirmed the course will close for roughly 30 days while crews spray and reestablish the greens and noted the clubhouse and driving range will remain open. "The course will close for about 30 days while they're spraying out the existing, the the current greens, and getting those reestablished," Coley said.

Commissioners pressed staff on drainage and playability. Commissioner Yates asked whether drainage work was included. Smith said the drainage work is not part of the current contract and would be considered in future budget years, though the irrigation redesign and survey work may correct some wet spots and help identify priority drainage repairs. "The project that we're moving forward with tonight with the, under this contract actually does not have the drainage in it," Smith said. He added the team has designs for five specific drainage areas and that any drainage fixes would be part of a later phase if budget savings permit it.

Commissioners also asked about turf varieties and warranties. Coley said the greens will be either TifTuf or TifEagle (transcript: "Tifthorpe"/"TifEagle"), and Smith said the design‑build contract includes a one‑year workmanship and materials warranty provided through Whitehead and its subcontractors. Staff member Steve Pruitt, whose turf expertise Smith referenced, was cited as part of the city’s maintenance oversight.

School athletics impact came up: Smith said Winter Haven High School's golf team will not be able to play at Willowbrook during the renovation season and will need an alternate venue. "They will not be able to play this year at the Webb Willowbrook," Coley said when asked about the high school team.

Commissioners suggested formalizing a multi‑year capital improvement plan (CIP) for Willowbrook so the public can see a multi‑year schedule for drainage, cart‑path replacement and other unfunded needs. Smith said staff is already developing a Willowbrook CIP that uses the presented priority hierarchy to sequence future work and will return with budget proposals if savings or additional funds are identified.

The city emphasized the work will be monitored closely during installation and maintenance, including agronomic oversight and chemical and fertilization programs, to protect the city’s investment and turf establishment. The presentation did not include a formal commission vote on a new contract in the transcript: staff described the scope and funding source and answered commissioner questions.

The commission requested future updates, including a forthcoming presentation on overall golf course operations. Smith said staff expects the refurbished greens will be open in late October or early November, with temporary greens used during establishment.

Why this matters: The Duke Energy funds are restricted to Willowbrook improvements tied to the easement transaction; the work affects public recreation, high‑school athletics scheduling and ongoing city maintenance budgeting.