The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
This city was all teed up to be a golfing destination on par with Myrtle Beach. But the increase in golf courses over the years never materialized into a rush of tourism dollars. And now the city-operated courses are struggling.
Red Wing Lake, Bow Creek and Kempsville Greens, which have historically paid for themselves, might soon need to be subsidized. The money in the city's golf course fund dipped to $233,535 at the end of the last fiscal year from more than $1 million in 2004. In 2009, the city took out nearly $260,000 to pay for its golf operations.
"It's no longer the strong business it was," said Cindy Curtis, the Beach's parks and recreation director.
Beach officials are paying a consultant $47,650 to come up with ways to make the courses profitable. Golf Convergence Inc. will deliver its final report in the summer.
The company will look at simple issues such as whether the city is properly marketing its golf offerings. But it's also studying more drastic proposals, such as whether the Beach should sell some of the property around the courses for development, lease out the courses or turn over the management to private companies.
The city already leases out public land for privately operated golf courses, including Stumpy Lake and Owl's Creek. The Virginia Beach National Golf Club is managed by a private firm, although it is city-owned.
Councilman Harry Diezel, an avid golfer, said he doubts the city will get completely out of the golfing business. But officials need to determine how much tax money they want to put into the enterprise, if any, he said.
"The golfing population has not grown significantly, and expenses have," Diezel said. "Between salaries and fertilizing chemicals, it's not a cheap operation."
It cost $2 million to run the city's courses last fiscal year.
Diezel blames the city's current golf woes on an overbuilding of courses.
"We have a lot in terms of drawing on the golfing population," Diezel said.
The weather and the economy could have also played a part in the revenue decline, said Dick Nutter, who oversees the golf operations for the city.
Nationwide, golf has plateaued, and in the past decade more than 800 courses have been shut down, according to the National Golf Foundation.
The closures have accelerated in the past four years, and 10 to 15 percent of public courses have reported to the foundation that they are financially at risk.
"We're taking a look at the economy," Curtis said. "And being realistic about the golf industry."
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Not the the proper function of government
Once again, VB city government is involved in what should be a private sector venture. Just as The SportsPlex became (and probably still is) a financial drain on the city treasury. If the city would sell these entities to the private sector, then they would be on the tax rolls. The city can't tax itself. Let private enterprise invest THEIR money, take the risks, and also make the profit.
Options to Save Golf Courses
What would you say if the VA Beach golf courses did not use taxpayer money? Whaaa?? Would it be a good thing? Dang right!!
It seems to me that it would be a good thing to have top notch recreational golf courses for our citizens and for the tourist who come to VB. To say otherwise would not serve our residents, but would be like the "special residents of VB" who ride around with bumper stickers that tell the tourists to go home. Tourism is one of our major industries.
The VB golf course are self sufficient despite some of the worst weather in a century. The couses are operated and administered by funds generated by golf played here. They do not spend taxpayer money!
spread the wealth
if your going to spend $47,00.00 on a consultant, why not give the taxpayers of Virginia Beach some of that money? We earn that money and in return you tax us to death because some of the Council members have a brain fart idea and want to raise our taxes for a pet peeve of theirs. Are the council members paying the taxes we pay? Also Virginia Beach needs no rail train service. Its hard enough to take a bus. Come November I am hoping we have a new Council with members who care about our city.
only one option!
SELL THEM!!!! You're getting ready to raise our taxes for what? A golf course or two, a theatre, a parking garage, a useless Laskin Road project? This is becoming a farce!!! Time to remember those that are over taxing and over reaching into YOUR pocket books!!!!
Bow Ditch, Kempsville Brown & Dead Wing
I used to enjoy playing the city operated courses until the quality of the facilities went down hill and the staff employed at the city courses copped an attitude. The staff at each course began acting as if they were doing you a favor by allowing you to play on any given day. Around the same time more local courses were opened (Riverfront, Signature, Heron's Ridge) that were of higher quality and the courses employed professionals who made players feel welcome.
The VB courses lack professional management, a sales team that would promote tournaments, golf leagues and other special event to draw more players. Then again, who would want to host a tournament at any of these dog patches?
Improve the product and then promote it. If not, get out of the golf business. I'm sure Merv is ready to take on another golf course that he can run into the ground.
I agree with this
The staff at the city golf courses say they want new players, but they treat you like dirt if you don't act like some pro golfer. For example, there is nothing worse than being told, "you need to pick up your speed," as a foursome of beginner golfers who hit around 100 to 110 are trying to learn the game. If they want us to come back, they need to be more beginner friendly.
Goldfinch is on to another angle
Goldfinch is on to another angle. Designate one of the courses to be designed for beginer play. Employ instructors who can offer lessons at an affordable cost and adopt a "newbie friendly" policy.
There is a golf course located near my home that is not the most desirable place to play due to it's size and layout. They have adopted this strategy of developing new players and it has been a big success for the whole area. The beginer players have a place to play without scorn while the more experienced players don't have to endure slow play at other local courses caused by the guy that takes 120 strokes per round. The inexperienced players know to play at Birch Hills while the experienced know to avoid it.
Cost
The reason for the overruning cost is Kempsville had its 2 holes closed down for 6 months and last year because of so much rain Bow Creek was closed due to flooding issues. Also, Red Wing cost $40 after 12. You can pay the same price and play Signature Arnold Palmer course for the same price.
Consultants
Who is this consultant who is getting the $47,650? They should pay me $47,000 and I would tell them that maybe golfers from out of town don't love jet noise as much as you think they do.
I was thinking close
to the same thing - but why we are paying that much money OUTSIDE of city employees - aren't we already paying employees who could do this? What a continued waste by this council - they ALL must go at next election time. And don't let them fool you - even if they vote against the tax increases,etc., they are only doing it to save their 'jobs' and will go right back to business as usual for their 4 years. THEY ALL MUST GO!!!! New blood is needed - especially new people who know how to live within the budget instead of raising taxes for pet projects (ie the light rail to nowhere.....green grass with holes for little balls.....etc.)