Miles Bennett
The World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, opened 24 years ago with a three-day festival that included fireworks, parties, and cover bands. However, dwindling attendance has led to the closure of some of its facilities. While the World Golf Hall of Fame, IMAX Theatre, and gift shop have closed, surrounding businesses, including the Caddyshack restaurant, Renaissance Hotel, St. Johns Country Convention Center, and two golf courses, remain open. St. Johns County has purchased the World Golf Foundation assets for $5.5 million and plans to redevelop the area, inviting private-public partnerships to enhance residents' quality of life and unlock revenue opportunities. Despite confusion that the entire village closed, the shops at World Golf Village are fully leased, and business owners are optimistic about the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Closure of World Golf Hall of Fame | Late 2023 |
| Merger with USGA | Yes, in Pinehurst |
| Relocation of PGA Tour Productions | New headquarters at TPC in Ponte Vedra |
| Purchase of WGV assets by St. Johns County | $5.5 million |
| Funding sources for purchase | American Rescue Plan Act Funds, Capital Improvement Fund, Public Building Impact Fees |
| Status of surrounding businesses | Remaining open, including Caddyshack restaurant, Renaissance Hotel, St. Johns Country Convention Center, two golf courses, and PGA Tour Golf Academy |
| Future development plans | St. Johns County seeking proposals from developers and public input |
| Demolition of buildings | Not planned, according to St. Johns County officials |
| Leasing status of shops at World Golf Village | Fully leased with a tenant waitlist |
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What You'll Learn
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum closed in 2023
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, closed its doors in late 2023, marking the end of an era for the iconic golf destination. The decision to close the hall of fame was likely due to dwindling attendance, with visitation numbers dropping significantly over the years. The museum, theatre, and gift shop closed their doors after 25 years of operation, leaving many long-lasting memories for visitors and locals alike.
The World Golf Foundation, which managed the hall of fame, notified St. Johns County of its plans to relocate the hall of fame and the IMAX theater out of the World Golf Village. This decision sparked discussions among county officials and stakeholders about the future use of the area. The county approved a $5.5 million purchase of all World Golf Foundation assets, including the Tour Production Building, parking areas, and common spaces, adding to their ownership of the hall of fame and surrounding areas.
While the closure of the hall of fame and museum signaled the end of an era, it also presented an opportunity for redevelopment and a new vision for the World Golf Village. County officials and local businesses expressed optimism about the future, with plans to invite private-public partnerships to enhance the residents' quality of life and unlock revenue opportunities. The county aimed to shape the future of the village, ensuring it evolves in alignment with the community's values and expectations.
The closure of the hall of fame and museum did not affect other businesses within the World Golf Village, such as the Caddyshack restaurant, the Renaissance Hotel, the St. Johns Country Convention Center, and the PGA Tour Golf Academy. These businesses remained open and continued to serve the community and visitors. The future of the vacated buildings is yet to be decided, with the county seeking input from residents and partners to determine the best course of action.
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum's closure in 2023 marked a significant change for the World Golf Village. The county's proactive approach to redevelopment, along with the resilience of local businesses, paved the way for a new chapter in the village's history, promising a vibrant and thriving future.
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The IMAX Theatre also closed
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, closed in late 2023. The museum had been open for over 24 years and was once a popular attraction, but dwindling attendance led to its closure. The IMAX Theatre within the World Golf Village also closed.
The IMAX Theatre at the World Golf Village was a 17,865-square-foot movie theatre. It showed documentaries and IMAX films, with the final showings taking place in early September 2023. The theatre was a part of the World Golf Foundation's assets, which were purchased by St. Johns County for $5.5 million. This included the Tour Production Building, WGV Parking, and common spaces.
The closure of the IMAX Theatre and the World Golf Hall of Fame left the future of the World Golf Village in question. However, it is important to note that the village itself did not close entirely. Many businesses within the village, including shops, restaurants, a hotel, and a golf course, remained open and continued to thrive.
While the closure of the IMAX Theatre and the World Golf Hall of Fame marked the end of an era, it also presented an opportunity for the community to shape the future of the World Golf Village. St. Johns County officials sought input from residents and business owners on how to revitalise the area. The county's goal was to create a vibrant destination that exceeded expectations and enhanced the quality of life for its residents.
The future of the IMAX Theatre building and the surrounding area is yet to be decided. However, with the county's acquisition of the property and the community's input, the hope is to develop the area in a way that aligns with the community's vision and values, creating a positive impact for years to come.
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The World Golf Foundation moved the Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, part of the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, closed in late 2023. The World Golf Foundation decided to move the Hall of Fame and IMAX Theatre out of the World Golf Village, relocating the PGA Tour Productions to the PGA's Headquarters in Ponte Vedra.
The decision to move the Hall of Fame was met with some criticism, with St. Johns County Administrator, Joy Andrews, acknowledging the use of public funds to acquire the World Golf Foundation's assets. However, Andrews emphasised the importance of maintaining control over the development process to ensure that any changes align with the community's interests and vision.
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the purchase of all World Golf Foundation assets, including the Tour Production Building, WGV Parking, and common spaces. The county plans to fund this acquisition through various sources, including American Rescue Plan Act Funds and Capital Improvement Funds.
The closure of the Hall of Fame and Museum was attributed to dwindling attendance, with visitation numbers dropping significantly over the years. The massive building and surrounding land's future use is currently under discussion, with stakeholders and residents providing input on potential redevelopment ideas.
While the Hall of Fame has moved out of the World Golf Village, other businesses within the village, such as the Caddyshack restaurant, the Renaissance Hotel, and various shops, remain open and thriving.
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St. Johns County purchased the World Golf Foundation assets
On April 16, 2024, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the $5.5 million purchase of all World Golf Foundation, Inc. (WGV) assets. This includes the Tour Production Building, WGV Parking, and WGV common space, adding to County ownership of the Hall of Fame, IMAX Theater, and the grounds of the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort Convention Center and Hotel.
The World Golf Foundation notified St. Johns County in June 2023 of its intention to move the World Golf Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater out of the World Golf Village. They also planned to relocate the PGA Tour Productions to a new building on the Global Home Campus. The County Administrator, Joy Andrews, stated that the use of public funds to acquire the World Golf Foundation assets was crucial to protect the property from "unknown development, potentially outside of community interests".
The World Golf Foundation will lease back the Tour Production Building from the county until March 2025 to facilitate the efficient relocation of the production group to their new headquarters at TPC in Ponte Vedra. A ground lease includes an agreement with the Foundation to continue operating the IMAX Theater and the responsibility to maintain the common space.
The County plans to fund this purchase with $2 million from American Rescue Plan Act Funds, $2 million from the 2019 Capital Improvement Fund, and $1.55 million from Public Building Impact Fees. The purchase of the World Golf Village assets represents a strategic opportunity to leverage public resources to positively shape the community's future, ensuring that the village evolves in alignment with the community's vision and values.
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The future of the site is under discussion
The future of the World Golf Village site is currently under discussion. The World Golf Foundation decided to move the World Golf Hall of Fame and the IMAX Theater out of the village, relocating the PGA Tour Productions to the PGA's Headquarters in Ponte Vedra. This decision left the future of the village uncertain, with the potential for development outside the interests of the community.
However, St. Johns County has stepped in and approved the purchase of all World Golf Foundation assets, including the Tour Production Building, parking, common spaces, the Hall of Fame, IMAX Theater, and the grounds of the Renaissance St. Augustine Resort Convention Center and Hotel. This move gives control of the site's future back to the community, with plans to invite private-public partnerships to enhance residents' quality of life and unlock revenue opportunities.
The county has stated that the buildings will not be demolished, and they plan to solicit proposals from developers for the site's future use. They will then review these proposals and narrow them down before engaging the public for input on the final selection. While the future of the site is yet to be determined, there is a clear push for the redevelopment of the area, with the county aiming to create a vibrant and thriving destination.
Business owners in the area have expressed their desire to see the development focused on entertainment, and they are optimistic about the future, believing that the closure of the Hall of Fame presents an opportunity for something new and exciting. The county is also seeking input from residents and stakeholders to ensure that the site's future aligns with the community's vision and values.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the World Golf Village is not closing. However, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum closed in late 2023.
The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum closed in late 2023 due to dwindling attendance. It merged with the USGA in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where it originally started.
St. Johns County acquired the World Golf Village assets for $5.5 million, including the Tour Production Building, WGV Parking, and common spaces. The county plans to invite private-public partnerships to enhance residents' quality of life and unlock revenue opportunities.
The IMAX Theatre at the World Golf Village also closed in 2023, along with the gift shop. However, surrounding businesses, such as the Caddyshack restaurant, the Renaissance Hotel, and other shops, remain open and have no plans to close or relocate.
