Opportunities to play golf in Montgomery County must be made available to moderate-income residents, senior citizens and youngsters, not just the usual participants.
That was the message County Council members conveyed to the Revenue Authority in handing over control of all public golf courses to the group Tuesday.
“If we are going to grow golf and teach life skills through golf … we need to give attention to these segments,” Council Vice President Marilyn Praisner said before the 9-0 affirmative vote.
A lack of growth in the sport countywide, in fact, is what spurred the county to switch ownership of public golf courses. According to officials, the four courses managed by the Parks and Planning Board have been losing up to $1 million annually over the past decade.
It was believed that the Revenue Authority, which has managed all other public golf courses in Montgomery County, could turn things around.
Tuesday’s decision by council members to let the revenue body take on that responsibility was necessary so that it can immediately sign a lease and make a series of payments, according to Revenue Authority chair Keith Miller.
Now that his group is in control, Miller said he would be looking at the issues of inclusion of which Praisner was speaking and then make decisions on changes by the spring.
That could mean altering the structure of the courses, adding more driving ranges or even creating a par three course, but not before seeking public input.
According to Council Member Steve Silverman, concessions made in Tuesday’s bill mean that any future decisions about golf will undergo much more public scrutiny, an item citizens have complained about in the past.
Before the authority is able to sell off a single golf course, for example, he said, there would have to be an independent financial analysis and the proposal would have to come before the Planning Board and County Council.
