There have been some discussions lately about the City of Memphis budget, and how some cuts are necessary. Among the cuts being considered are closing the three 9-hole golf courses the City owns and operates – Overton, Riverside, and Whitehaven. I have read the letters to the editor in the Commercial Appeal, many of which are against these closings.
As an avid golfer, I hate to see any courses close, although I haven’t played any of these 3 courses for years. As a personal trainer, I hate to see any reduction in opportunities for exercise, especially in a city noted for being overweight and underactive. I believe that these courses do serve to introduce people to a great lifetime physical activity that they might not otherwise be able to experience, as several of the letters testified.
But, it appears that very few people play these courses, even at the ridiculously low prices that were mentioned. There is no way that greens fees of $3-10 for 9 holes of golf could let a course break even, let alone have money for capital improvements. If these courses cannot even come close to making it on their own, then closing them seems appropriate and necessary.
However, there may be a way to have our golf in a different form. It occurs to me that there is a lack of public driving ranges in Memphis, and definitely so within the 240 loop. Maybe Overton or Riverside could be converted into a driving range, which would cost much less to maintain, should draw golfers who don’t and won’t play any of the current courses, and would still provide an inexpensive introduction to golf. I think the city should explore such an option, and contract with a private entity to run it, with compensation tied to revenues. Let the private sector operate and market it, and pay rent to the city.
That’s my 2 cents worth.
