Comptroller: golf courses operating at a loss
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Faced with figures, the Amherst Town Board has to face facts: its golf courses are losing both golfers and revenue.

A memo sent out by Comptroller Darlene Carroll spurred a work session conversation in which Deputy Supervisor Shelly Schratz said serious conversations about the courses need to take place.

In her memo, Carroll highlighted "significant items," including a 28.8 percent decrease in the number of rounds of golf sold in 2007 compared to 2001.

"Revenues have decreased 12 percent overall - even though the rates have increased," Carroll stated.

The number of golf rounds decreased 14,757 at Audubon in the past six years; 8,788 at Par 3 on Maple Road and 5,460 at Oakwood.

The number of season passes also declined by 28.5 percent, from 2,561 in 2001 to 1,830 in 2007.

Carroll also noted that the cost of running the courses has increased 15 percent since 2001 (approximately 2.5 percent per year).

According to Carroll's report, the courses generated a profit of $94,263 in 2001. In 2007, golf operations resulted in a loss of $93,962.

"I think the analysis that I have done clearly shows that the decline in revenue being generated is the primary cause for the courses ... now operating at a loss," she stated.

The condition of the courses has been addressed on several occasions, and in the last town election a bond referendum for $3 million for golf course maintenance at Audubon failed 13,683 - 7,343 votes.

Recreation Director Anne Schiferle said the Recreation Commission has planned to discuss the issue at its March 11 meeting.

"We know the trend has been there, for several years," she said about the decrease. "Golfers haven't seen an improvement to the courses. There definitely need to be upgrades."

She added that money was spent to do a study, but the town just sat on it.

One issue before the commission will be whether or not to recommend a fee increase, without improvements to the course. Last week the Town Board approved ice rink and recreation program fee increases.

"The golfers want to know what they are going to get for increases," Schiferle said. "I think it's a great asset to keep, but improvements are needed."

The board agreed to discuss the issue at a later date.

Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson told the board the town needs to move forward with the conversion process to replace gas lights with electric.

He said he wants to start in Dana Heights where there are 248 gas lights. Anderson showed photos of the rusted poles, saying in a strong windstorm, six to seven fall down.

"They don't keep maintenance; it's beyond that," he said.

For the past year, Anderson has been compiling a plan to replace the gas poles with electric. He said it's time for the board to let residents know what they plan to do about it.

Estimates show that for every 300 gas lights, the town might be able to operate with approximately 200 electric lights.

Details, such as who would own the poles, how many would be replaced at one time and who would maintain the lights, were not decided. Anderson has been working with National Grid and presented several options for various plans.

The town currently has 1,301 gas lights in the town. They were installed in the 1960s, according to Anderson.

Anderson said the number of complaints about the gas lights are second only to tree complaints.