During a July 28 hearing, 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Kenneth Janesk II determined that a legal dispute between World Golf Foundation Inc. and World Golf Village master developer IT Land Associates LLC has enough merit to proceed.
IT Land Associates sought a dismissal of the foundation’s complaint over land use restrictions at World Golf Village, but Janesk denied the motion.
The disputed restrictions require the property to be used exclusively for the World Golf Hall of Fame, PGA Productions, an IMAX or similar offering, and an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, regardless of who owns it. If the restrictions remain in place, they will apply for the next 25 years.
The foundation’s filing contends the restrictions negatively affect the land’s “marketability of title necessary for redevelopment or sale.”
The foundation closed the Hall of Fame in 2023 and relocated it to Pinehurst, North Carolina. The IMAX theater closed in late 2024.
In its complaint, the foundation is seeking a declaratory judgment — a court decision that defines the legal rights of those involved in a dispute. It does not award damages or require specific actions but aims to resolve uncertainty and help prevent future legal conflicts. In this case, it would no longer require the restrictions.
“With the termination of the County Parcel Lease (027010-0020), the closure of the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater and the relocation of the PGA TOUR production facility and World Golf Hall of Fame, there has been a categorical end to the World Golf Vision, thereby rendering the Use Restriction unnecessary and unachievable...the Foundation contends that the Use Restriction is no longer enforceable and is an unreasonable restraint on alienation upon the Foundation Parcel,” according to the foundation’s Feb. 14 filing.
With Janesk’s ruling that the case can proceed, attorneys for IT Land Associates have 10 days to file a formal response in writing to the foundation’s complaint. Failure to do so could lead to a default judgment.
“It was a good day for us,” World Golf Foundation CEO Greg McLaughlin said. “We think we’re in a good position and we’re hopeful that IT Land decides to come to some kind of settlement for the betterment of the community. The Hall of Fame building has sat vacant for two years, so it’s the community that’s really being affected. That’s the bad thing.”
McLaughlin said that after IT Land Associates responds, the foundation plans to file for summary judgment — a legal procedure in which a court can decide a case without a full trial. If that fails, the parties can otherwise pursue mediation or go to trial in May 2026
“People have to move on,” McLaughlin said.
In an attempt to lift the restrictions, potentially divest its properties and avoid the suit, the foundation previously offered the developer $100,000, then $200,000, according to McLaughlin. Both offers were rejected.
In April 2024, the county approved a $5.5 million purchase and sale agreement for the foundation’s World Golf Village assets, including the land it owns and the PGA Production Studios building. The deal fell through when the developer, formerly Fletcher Davis, declined to lift the use restrictions.
Because the restrictions are private, St. Johns County has no authority over them. The developer has control, hence the foundation’s complaint asking the courts to intervene.
As the lawsuit continues and the restrictions remain unresolved, the county is still moving forward with a request for proposals issued June 18. The RFP seeks an open-ended project for World Golf Village that “serves the best interest of the County, and the Parties are able to successfully negotiate a contract for such partnership.”