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Going for the green
By SCOTT SCHWEBKECity struggles to make Mount Ogden Golf Course profitable, not a financial handicap
OGDEN -- The mayor will hold a town meeting in the next several weeks to solicit public input on curtailing the growing debt of Mount Ogden Golf Course that now totals$2 million.
The course, built in the early 1980s, has never been profitable and has lost about $250,000 a year since 2003, said Mayor Matthew Godfrey.
"There aren't enough golfers," he said. "It's a hard course and not well suited for the average golfer."
Annual revenue losses, combined with original construction costs, have pushed the course's debt to more than $2 million, he said. The city subsidizes the course deficit through its annual operating budget.
Godfrey promised not to sell the golf course and hopes to meet soon with the city council to discuss options to help it financially break even.
He declined to specifically disclose those options, but said a tax increase approved by voters or a course redesign could be among the strategies.
"It's really getting out of control," Godfrey said of the debt. "We have to decide how to address the problem."
Godfrey also hopes the public will offer suggestions during the town meeting, for which a date and location have not been set.
Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske said she's looking forward to meeting with Godfrey to discuss plans for the golf course.
"It's one of those things that needs to be discussed," she said. "We need to look at options so that it's self-sustaining."
Todd Brenkman, the city's golf course division manager, said Mount Ogden Golf Course faces unique challenges, including competition from other links in the area.
"Obviously, with the number of golf courses in this area, we are a little overbuilt," he said.
The future of Mount Ogden Golf Course has been a hot topic ever since developer Chris Peterson first proposed in 2005 to buy the property and adjoining city-owned land to pave the way for an urban gondola and resort at Malan's Basin.
Godfrey signed a declaration in October 2007 placing covenants and restrictions on the golf course and adjoining land. The declaration says the property shall not be sold or used for any purpose inconsistent with its function as a public park, public golf course and public trails.
Necessary improvements, such as structures, roads and utilities that benefit the property and city, are permitted, according to the declaration.
Godfrey has said he decided not to sell the property in order to protect the trail system along the East Bench foothills.
Add Your Comment
As a frequent golfer at Mt.Ogden during the seasone I only have to say that the city has other projects that have gone belly up. I don't believe for a minute that the only reason Mt.Ogden is in supposed to be in debt is because it does'nt attract golfers.Try getting out on a week-end sometime.As for the reporter who did this story I strongly suggest that he get out there sometime and talk to the golfers and not the leader of our city. I use the term LEADER very loosely. Let's get the mayor out of his office and up to Mt.Ogden for a round of nine sometime.
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