Florida Gators Secure 500-Acre Golf Course Build

Ed Evans, Chairman and CEO of Consumer Cellular, has funded a new golf course for the University of Florida’s men’s and women’s teams. The University Athletic Association announced the project in Gainesville. It will serve as the primary practice facility for both squads. This moves the program away from its current campus location.

The land is quiet now, waiting for the first cut of grass. But the vision is sharp. A 500-acre expanse will soon host an 18-hole championship layout. Beau Welling and Steve Smyers are drawing the lines. They know the pressure of elite play. Their work will define the next era of Gator golf.

Designers with championship pedigrees

Welling collaborated with Tiger Woods on Bluejack National in Montgomery, Texas. That partnership speaks to the caliber of the design. Steve Smyers brings equal weight to the table. Together, they have crafted PGA-level courses before. Their names carry gravity in the sport. The Evans University of Florida Golf Club will bear their signature.

The clubhouse is equally ambitious. Hart Howerton is shaping the structure. They designed the Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort. Their style is recognizable and refined. Guest cottages will accompany the main building. This is not just a practice range. It is a destination.

Upgrading the daily practice grind

Currently, the teams rely on Mark Bostick Golf Course. It was last renovated in May 2014. The most recent redesign happened in 2001. That was before any current player was born. The turf is old. The facilities are dated. Coaches want more. They need a stage that matches the ambition of the program.

Emily Glaser, the women’s golf coach, sees a shift. She says a championship course changes development. It allows for national competition every year. J.C. Deacon, the men’s coach, agrees. He calls for resources that fit the level. Access to a championship course is the missing piece. It is now in place.

More than a golf course

Power Design, a Florida contractor, is sponsoring a team house. It will be part of a training complex. Specialized spaces for technology and practice are included. The firm previously built the UF Honors Residential College. Their presence adds depth to the project. This is a holistic investment in the athlete.

Students in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will benefit. They can research turfgrass management and irrigation. The course offers a living laboratory. Evans has been on the UAA board since 2024. He also serves on the Gator Boosters Board. His ties to the university are deep. The facility opens doors for amateur and professional tournaments.