Sligo Golf Course to stay open

Sligo Creek Golf Course, originally scheduled to close on Oct. 1 due to revenue problems, will remain open after the Montgomery County Council approved a supplemental appropriation proposed by County Executive Isaiah Leggett.

According to Councilmember Valerie Ervin, the council also approved a resolution to create a task force that would make recommendations for the future of the course. The $150,000 appropriation will fund the golf course through June 30, 2010 while the task force looks for ways to make the course financially self-sustaining. The task force will give its recommendations on Jan. 19, 2010, Ervin said.

According to Council President Phil Andrews, the appropriation passed seven votes to two. Councilmember Mike Knapp and Andrews voted against the appropriation, citing the dire economic climate and the council's previous decision not to subsidize golf courses with taxpayer money. "The primary reason why the County Council approved transferring the golf courses to the [Montgomery County Revenue Authority] was so that the courses would become self-sustainable and not require taxpayer subsidies," said Andrews. In 2006, the county had leased its golf courses to the Montgomery County Revenue Authority (MCRA), a public corporation that operates and finances public projects.

Knapp also argued that the council should use its money sparingly and subsidize the golf course only until the task force makes its recommendations in three months. According to Knapp, since the task force may come up with a solution and find another way to fund the course, it does not make sense to appropriate money for the course to operate until June 30. "We don't know how much money we need to spend," he said.

Golf team coach Geoffrey Finch is glad that the golf course will remain open and hopes that it will continue to operate in the long run. Because it is the closest golf course to Blair, it is more convenient for the team to practice there, said junior co-captain Miles Reinke.

According to Finch, the county sets up the team's practice schedule and gives the team free access to a given county golf course at certain times. The team is usually scheduled for two practices a week at Sligo Creek Golf Course. Because the team practices five days a week and needs additional practice time, the team may call the course to ask for an open time slot during the week. If the course is available, the team is allowed to practice without paying. Practicing at Sligo Creek Golf Course is particularly advantageous for the golf team because other golf courses do not allow the team to get additional practice time for free, Finch said.

According to Ervin, who represents the Silver Spring area, the decision to close the course was met with strong opposition from the community. Supporters of the course argued that it is an important asset to the Montgomery County golf system, because it is a welcome environment for women, minorities and novice golfers. The course is known to have a diverse customer base, said Woody Brosnan, chairman of the political outreach committee of Sligo Creek Golf Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the course. "Sligo attracts a diverse group of skill levels whereas, at the other major 18 hole golf courses, it can be intimidating for beginners, seniors and women to play," he said.

Sligo Creek supporters also argued that the course is essential to the communities in the downcounty area, as it is the only public Montgomery County golf course that is within the Beltway. "These are areas that don't have other major recreational facilities. You take [Sligo Creek] away, and you are depriving these communities," said Merrill Goozner, treasurer of the Sligo Creek Golf Association.

One of the possible means for making the course financially stable is Ervin's proposal to make the course a rehabilitation center for veterans who currently use the course. The course is favored by veterans for its low difficulty as a nine-hole course. Accordingly, the task force will contain members from the Maryland Department of Veterans and other military groups.

The Sligo Creek Golf Course financial controversy began in 2006, when the County Council decided to stop subsidizing all of the county's public golf courses with taxpayer money because of a lack of revenue from the courses. The course, alongside three other golf courses, was turned over to the MCRA, which sought out ways to make it more profitable, said Keith Miller, MCRA executive director. The local community struck down the MCRA's proposals to install a new driving range and a miniature golf course. Community members argued that the proposed additions would have a negative impact on the environment, increase noise pollution and raise traffic levels, said Miller.

In fall 2008, the Sligo Creek Stakeholder Advisory Group, which represented the local community, made its own proposals to increase revenue. According to the group's report to the MCRA, the proposals included expanding advertising, partnering with the Montgomery County Recreation Department to hold classes and marketing merchandise online. However, according to Miller, the MCRA didn't think the proposals would increase revenue and consequently planned to close the course on Oct. 1.

The MCRA's decision was also based on a study conducted by the National Golf Foundation on the MCRA's system of nine golf courses. The study reported that even though Sligo Creek Golf Course was not the only course having revenue problems, it was the most adverse facility in the system because, unlike the other courses, it is the only one with nine holes. "Sligo Creek doesn't have the revenue potential of an 18-hole golf course. It's very limited on its capacity," said Miller.

According to Goozner, Sligo Creek supporters took part in a variety of activities to keep the course open, including going to golf outings to raise money for the cause, posting signs in their yards, participating in public meetings and marches and calling local legislators.