- Two UF alumni, Adam Rappaport and David Pearson, proposed buying Gainesville’s Ironwood Golf Course for $1.1 million.
- They plan to invest $2.4 million to renovate the course, rename it Gainesville National, and add new technology and community programs.
The city of Gainesville’s Ironwood Golf Course lost over $300,000 last year and is on track for a similar loss this year, but two UF alumni want to purchase and revitalize the course into an upgraded community amenity.
The proposal will be heard at the Gainesville City Commission meeting on Thursday and offers $1.1 million to buy the more than 180-acre property, immediately returning it to the tax roll and stopping more cash loss from city operations. That purchase price is enough to remove the rest of Gainesville’s debt on the property—$570,000. A three-year lease was also offered.
The proposal said another $2.4 million will be invested into Ironwood Golf Course in the first year, along with a proposed renaming to Gainesville National.
The UF alumni, Adam Rappaport and David Pearson, own HangTime Golf with two locations in North Carolina that opened in 2020 and 2025. According to an unsolicited proposal sent to the city, both courses were in disrepair and required a change in direction from HangTime.
The proposal said Rappaport and Pearson “want to come back to Gainesville and invest in the City that left a mark on them.”
By turning the course around, HangTime said it hopes to make the property an asset for East Gainesville and the whole community by renovating the fairways and greens, adding Toptracer technology and bays, partnering with Santa Fe College and high schools, improving the on-site restaurant, and hosting community events like Glow Golf, leagues and summer camps.
“We propose a comprehensive reimagining of Ironwood Golf Course that preserves its best qualities while elevating it into a premier, championship-grade public facility,” Rappaport said.
Ironwood Golf Course was placed under a management watch by the previous City Manager, Cynthia Curry, to ensure the feasibility of the site. The golf course left management watch, and the city announced more investments into the course early last year.
At the time, the City Commission said it had no plans to close the facility but mentioned the possibility of hiring a third-party contractor to run the site.
At Thursday’s meeting, the City Commission will discuss the proposal. Staff recommends opening up a 30-day window for anyone, including HangTime, to submit a proposal for the Ironwood Golf Course.
After the submissions, the commissioners could choose a proposal to move forward or refuse all offers and keep ownership as it stands.
The HangTime proposal said time is important to get the fairways and putting greens reseeded and grown into a better surface for golf. The proposal referenced a Gainesville study that found the current venue conditions were not to a level the city could be proud of.
“For that reason, we would need every single day of growing weather in 2026 to push turf conditioning to have the best chance to succeed at providing a golf course citizens enjoy playing and one that the City of Gainesville would be proud to promote,” the proposal said.
Alachua County’s golf scene has proven turbulent in recent years, with West End Golf Course closed and purchased by the county commission and Meadowbrook Golf Course closed and considered for future housing. Gainesville Country Club also closed.
But UF is moving at full speed on a plan to build a 36-hole golf course off Parker Road and right next to Hawkstone Country Club. Turkey Creek Golf Course was revitalized and reopened 2022.
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180 acres…how much water? For how many golfers?
Stop normalizing golf.
Smartest thing the city could do is unload Ironwood.
Sell it with strict no right to build any homes or other development on it beyond a clubhouse. Next thing you know they will want to be building cottages and shops because they just can’t make enough money with golf fees alone.
Sign the deal yesterday!!
Why does the city operate this when it LOSES $300,000 a year. SELL,SELL!
That property is worth a lot more than $1.1 million. Close the golf course and let it become a wild space.
The City claims that they can’t cut the budget because of “essential” services. Yet they can LOSE $300,000 operating a golf course. What nonsense!
One of the people running against incumbents needs to point out this waste. Is there fraud involved also?
The Golf Course is worth keeping. The Golf rates are pretty reasonable right now. But new ownership and future plans are sure to out price those of us wanting to keep playing. I hope they are going to make it so most of us Regulars can still play here. Call me selfish but I Love to Golf and we are running out of options in Gainesville area
The new UF course would not be open to the public. The 300k loss is because the city has spent money in refurbishing the course not because of running it. By those concerned about the losses by that same token you should close every park in the city because they don’t make money. Green space makes a city livable.
Thank you for getting back to me. I really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.
I visited Ironwood Golf Course on Friday and had the opportunity to meet the Head Golf Professional. Everyone I met was welcoming, and I really enjoyed spending time at the club. I even had a hot dog and a beer while taking in the atmosphere before filming the course and speaking with several local golfers and residents.
By background, I’m a former PGA Tour player, have owned golf courses, and now work in the technology sector. I have to say, Ironwood has a beautiful natural landscape and a very enjoyable golf course design. It has tremendous potential.
From what I observed, it appears the course may have experienced significant water management issues over the years. Unfortunately, several greens look to be beyond recovery and would likely need to be rebuilt rather than repaired. It’s sad to see, because the foundation of the course is excellent.
I do have a genuine interest in learning more about the City’s long-term vision for Ironwood. If I were involved, my philosophy would be to keep it 100% public while making it an affordable, community-focused golf facility that local families and golfers can enjoy for generations.
I’ve lived in Florida for more than 36 years and have always been a big supporter of the Gators. I also reached out to the Mayor’s office to see if there might be an opportunity to assist in any way.
If you or anyone at the City would ever like to discuss my visit or hear my observations and ideas, I’d be more than happy to share my experience and provide constructive feedback.
Thank you again, and I hope our paths cross again.
Best regards,