Updated Oct 2, 2012 - 6:03 am
Phoenix to decide fate of city's golf courses
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Print | Originally published: Oct 1, 2012 - 11:00 pm
Phoenix's eight public golf courses are supposed to be self-sustaining, paying for their upkeep and staff through greens fees and pro shop sales, but David Urbinato with the Phoenix Parks Department said that hasn't happened in about a decade.
Instead, taxpayers have been covering the costs.
According to a city fact sheet, the number of golf courses across the Valley has increased 40 percent during the last 20 years, while the number of golfers has declined.
"By now the trend would have reversed if it was reversible," said Urbinato. "So, it's really at the point now where the community has to come together and decide what to do."
City budget and research staff crunched numbers and Urbinato said, even if they closed courses and kept them as green space, the city would still have to cover maintenance costs.
Public meetings are taking place through October to gather input from golfers, neighbors and others. A schedule and more details about the courses and economic report is available at phoenix.gov/parks.
