Friday, March 16, 2012

Fore!

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Let the record show that our money pit municipal golf course opened for business yesterday, so naturally today it rained.  This pre St Patrick's Day opening is the earliest in a decade but that will not stop town officials from using the weather excuse this coming July at fiscal year finish when the course ends up in the (cherry) red once again.

Hickory Ridge, a 18 hole public/private course in South Amherst sold at auction yesterday to Appliedgolf, a major player who owns 13 other courses.  Cherry Hill would have benefited somewhat by Hickory Ridge staying closed but now it may be quite the opposite as the new owners may invest more money into renovations, making it an even better course.

On average Cherry Hill only covers about 70% of its total overhead with the other 30% covered by taxpayers--the vast majority of whom do not play golf.  Hickory Ridge needs to cover all its costs (including property taxes to the town) via membership fees, or the auctioneers gavel will fall again.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like global warming is a blessing for a Cherry Hill!

Larry Kelley said...

Unfortunately they need a little more than a blessing. More like a miracle.

Anonymous said...

"On average Cherry Hill only covers about 70% of its total overhead..."

Or put another way, it covers a higher percentage of its overhead than any other recreational area the town owns. Now if we could just get those freeloaders who picnic in Sweetser Park to pay there way.

Larry Kelley said...

Yeah, and those darn little freeloaders using the swings at Groff Park.

Note to LSSE: those swings are starting to get tired.