Don’t ask for more green to cover fees

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, December 20, 2003

Whoever thought that raising the green fees for local residents at the two Everett municipal golf courses was a good idea should have their head examined. An increase of $10 – you have got to be kidding.

You obviously have a budget shortfall, but you’re just taking the easy way out by discontinuing the local discount. It is the only reason I ever play either of the Everett courses. Do you really think that we will pay $31 to play Walter Hall? Also, it is a well-known fact with area golfers that Legion Golf Course has struggled with fewer tee times over the last year or so because the novelty of the remodeled course has worn off and we have this thing around here called a recession. So, now you have a loan to pay off and you want to dump it on the local residents.

Well, the bottom line is people around here don’t feel they are getting their money’s worth when they have to pay more than $30 to play a round of golf. I know my friend and I won’t. You need to make up your shortfall somewhere else. That’s your job. Try some creative budgeting, promotions, whatever it takes to fill up your tee times. To sit back, sip your coffee, and raise green fees at this time is lazy and a step in the wrong direction. Eighty-six percent of your daily rounds may be played by non-residents, but do you want to lose that other 14 percent?

Everett