Future uncertain for struggling Lynnwood golf course
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LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- Yet another local golf course is in financial trouble and in jeopardy of shutting down.
The future of the Lynnwood Municipal Golf Course unknown, but unpaid loans could lead to its closure.
A state audit released this week shows the city of Lynnwood has loaned the course $3.7 million over the last four years, and course officials say they can't afford to repay the $1 million plus that's still owed.
I idea of losing the course isn't sitting well with many local golfers.
"I would really miss it big time," said Tim Hooks, who works in the pro shop.
The city council was allowed to loan the 18-hole course more money from another fund -- the city's utility fund -- as long as it followed a repayment schedule that included interest. Auditors say that didn't happen. They also accuse course officials of breaking state law by giving discounting a non-profit group's tournament and letting PGA members play for free.
"There's a bottom line and that's what you gotta look at," Hooks said.
Local golfers love the beauty and challenge of the course, but the number of users has been steadily dropping since it opened in 1991.
"I'm hoping they can find somebody else to operate it and keep it as a golf course," said golfer Don Crews.
That's one of the options the city will consider over the next three months. The city could also find a different way to subsidize the course or close it and liquidate the assets.
The course is especially popular with local seniors, who say it keeps them healthy and saves the government money.
"I tell my doc I'm still walking and I'm not taking a cart," Hooks said.
The future of the Lynnwood Municipal Golf Course unknown, but unpaid loans could lead to its closure.
A state audit released this week shows the city of Lynnwood has loaned the course $3.7 million over the last four years, and course officials say they can't afford to repay the $1 million plus that's still owed.
I idea of losing the course isn't sitting well with many local golfers.
"I would really miss it big time," said Tim Hooks, who works in the pro shop.
The city council was allowed to loan the 18-hole course more money from another fund -- the city's utility fund -- as long as it followed a repayment schedule that included interest. Auditors say that didn't happen. They also accuse course officials of breaking state law by giving discounting a non-profit group's tournament and letting PGA members play for free.
"There's a bottom line and that's what you gotta look at," Hooks said.
Local golfers love the beauty and challenge of the course, but the number of users has been steadily dropping since it opened in 1991.
"I'm hoping they can find somebody else to operate it and keep it as a golf course," said golfer Don Crews.
That's one of the options the city will consider over the next three months. The city could also find a different way to subsidize the course or close it and liquidate the assets.
The course is especially popular with local seniors, who say it keeps them healthy and saves the government money.
"I tell my doc I'm still walking and I'm not taking a cart," Hooks said.
It is unfortunate that yet another course is facing closure. With 41,000 rounds of golf at the green fees they charge and little discounting, the fact that they needed millions of dollars to subsidize this course for it to remain operational should be a clear indicator something is amiss. Everyone's comments are valid but the real question is.... all of this money used to subsidize the course, where is it going? How and where is it being spent? At 41,000 rounds of golf, they should have the money to break even, no question. Building a clubhouse in hopes that it will bring in more revenue isn't practical, who is going to pay for it?Â
I spoke with the course management today and there seems to be a disconnect. They say they do owe some 1.8 million dollars on a bond issue but they are showing a profit and making the scheduled payments. They flatly denyany chance of the facility closing. To the issue of free rounds for PGA pros, it happened four times and the pros brought paying customers with them. This is a professional courtesy and often results in repeat business and is justified as advertising. Least we forget the reason these municipal golf courses were set up was to provide recreational greenbelt areas. Any attempt to change their status and develop them would only result in unending lawsuits. In this economy it would be extremely difficult to find a developer interested as the risk of being bankrupted by the environmental impact requirements makes it a gamble not worth taking.
 @Michael Willis Maybe the author of this article doesn't have all the facts straight. Based on the sloppiness of the writing, I wouldn't be surprised. I hope you're right Mike Willis.
Just build more houses,apartments or shopping centers there....more tax revenue
for the city.
This course has been around a long time and is a nice, flat course for walking (albeit short). With a decent amount of play and properly run, there is no way it should be having these problems. I smell a rat.
Heck, develop it. Create jobs!
 @Hagar You'd be waiting until the next century to develop this or the recently closed Ballinger Lake course. Environmental costs would bankrupt a potential developer and in the end they may not be able to use the property as desired. The same is true of Sumner Meadows down south. They've been casting about for a developer but can't get anyone interested.
Lynnwood really kinda sucks, the course is too short and not enough of a challenge for the price. Ballinger recently closed for the winter, first time ever. Nile is still busy and they are much cheaper than Lynnwood and better cared for. Lynnwood doesn't sell food in the winter time, and no beer sales. For many years it has not been worth my time or money.
 @Erik The Ballinger Lake closed as Hardy Golf LLC pulled up stakes. It's doubtful this course will ever open again.
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 @Erik Nile is not cheaper than Lynnwood.  Almost twice as much, actually.  Check your facts before spouting off.
I can tell you why they are going under.
#1, too expensive for a short course. with same amount, I can play on full 18 hole course.
#2, because it's on EdCC. NO PARKING
I can play 18 holes at Ballanger golf for half the price.
bring the price down, will have more people playing there and fix the parking
 @dragonrider 1. Lynnwood is cheaper than other 18 hole courses 22 weekday, 26 weekend for 18.  Jackson is over 30, weekday.
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2. Â I have always been able to find a parking spot at Lynnwood, in the designated large "golf only" parking lot.
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3. Â Ballinger is closed. Â You can't play for any price.
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Just drives me nuts when people shoot from the hip without having their facts straight.
Maybe they can shorten it to a 9 hole course and sell the rest of the property to be used as a park. If they put bike trails on it, the mayor will be sure to find the funds to purchase the land.Â
That's why government cut-backs work. The course employee does not want to lose his job. And the golfer think the expense is worth i for the taxpayers. But ask him about other government programs and he cries "oh the waste."
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These cuts are only the beginning.
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Are there NO editors at Komo at all? It seems every article is full of blatant grammar errors.
 @ChristopherC "KOMO" is the preferred spelling, Word Police.
 @ChristopherC "They also accuse course officials of breaking state law by giving discounting a non-profit group's tournament and letting PGA members play for free."... oh, well that's real clear.
Nice enough place for a practice round with your irons but the short narrow layout really doesn't allow you use longer clubs much.
Is this the one that is in Edmonds Community College?Â
Curious how golf courses even make any money in this area? Â You can pretty much only golf a few months out of the year. Â Drive by any golf course from October thru May, and it's empty. Â
 @DT Not true.  Golf courses in the Puget Sound area are used year round.  They're just more crowded in the summer months.
Oh no, with fewer golf courses, retirees will start slanging on the streets... Â They'll flood the market with their medication. Â We must take action; save the golf course!