David Cummings is providing the money and vision to reimagine Killearn Country Club, steps he believes will restore the venue’s position as a landmark golf course and social experience.
The past is priceless and important, too. The Tallahassee native plans to sneak in a final round of golf at his childhood course before it closes Sept. 6.
“Oh, yes, I will be down there with a bunch of Atlanta buddies and we are going to play it one last time,” said Cummings, who grew up in Killearn Estates and says he has played the course so many times he knows every hole and every spot to hit or miss.
“We are feeling really good. Obviously, there’s a lot of moving parts.”
LOCAL SPORTS COVERAGE
Thumbs up for Norvell:‘Looking for excitement.’ Former FSU great Warrick Dunn believes in football coach Mike Norvell
Helping hands:Help me help you make this a memorable Big Bend high school sports season | Jack Williams
More:Willle Simmons wants team to play fast, relying on defensive veterans to lead | WATCH
Cummings, 42, who attended and played golf at Lincoln High (1998 graduate) and is an Atlanta-based tech entrepreneur, purchased the club for $2.6 million last March.
Opened since the transaction, the club will close on Sept. 6 for approximately 18 months. The other amenities (pool, clubhouse, etc.) will close for 30 months.
One of Cummings’ initial moves is seeking to rezone more than 260 acres of golf course property to open space. That would reverse a previous owner’s plan to use part of the course for new home sites.
Cummings also recently shared that C.W. Golf Architecture, a golf course and landscape architecture firm founded by Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, will lead the renovations of the 18-hole and 9-hole courses and practice facilities.
“Working with a canvas like this is a dream,” Wilczynski told Golf Course Architecture.com.
“The natural and classic elements like its mature oaks and pines, and the wider corridors will allow us to define unique angles that create interesting and strategic golf holes. This is a special club, and it is a privilege to be part of this fantastic team.”
Additionally, MacCurrach Golf Construction, Inc., a Jacksonville-based golf course builder, will serve as the general contractor.
Two Tallahassee firms – Moore Bass Consulting and DAG Architects – will also be involved in the design and construction of the venue, including a new clubhouse and restaurant.
Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top public and private courses in Florida
Non-golf amenities will also include state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball courts, a new pool and cottages for overnight stay.
Killearn was originally designed by Bill Amick in 1967.
“It’s full steam ahead,” said Cummings, stressing the course is an important part of club and neighborhood’s history.
Updates related to the club can we found here: Q&A from WEBSITE
The annual golf tournament that supports FAMU baseball is scheduled for Friday at the Golf Club of Quincy.
The $100 registration fee per player includes lunch.
Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon and tee-off at 1 p.m.
For more information, contact the Golf Club of Quincy (850-627-931), Mark Arno (402-203-2139) or Doug Craven (850-570-0964).
Makes checks payable to the FAMU baseball team.
Reach Jim Henry at jj*****@ta*********.com.
About Author
