The Parks Department has just announced a round of open-house meetings in December to update the city’s Golf Course Master Plan as well as the economic analysis that’s on record for all four municipal golf courses. One of those open houses is set for West Seattle Golf Course, 10:30 am-noon on December 6; see the flyer here.
The West Seattle Golf pro shop and restaurant are about 10 years past overdue for a huge remodel. The Foster’s Links Golf Course in Tukwila was beautifully redone, now the course itself, that’s another story.
My suggested golf course master plan: slowly transition this monstrous use of public land, water, and other resources into something that can be used — or at least shared — by more than a handful of people at a time.
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That said, I hope to see the city follow up on the Golf Course Master Plan with a Monocle-Wearers’ Task Force and a Top Hat and Tails Strategy Session.
this monstrous use of public land, water, and other resources into something that can be used — or at least shared — by more than a handful of people at a time.
Listen, people of all races, creeds, religious and economic status enjoy the game of golf these days. Also most courses these days are environmentally friendly and provide excellent habitats for wildlife (like coyotes, deer, rabbits, etc, that are routinely seen at WSG). Moreover, “a handful of people” use WSG? Apparently you’ve never been to WSG on a weekend or on a summer evening. And if memory serves, the golf courses may just be one of the few things in local government that actually makes money vs. spewing it away various wasteful programs.
Nope, Sage, you probably don’t know much of this and more. You’re far too busy being clever and “civic-minded” to notice that what you’re really coming across as is an elitist, sports-hating, pseudo-intellectual snob who, if it doesn’t fit neatly into his idea of utopia, ignorantly belittles something a lot of people enjoy.
All par for the course I imagine. (Pun intended.)
Golfers PAY for course usage so others can use parks for free! Golf would be an even greater source of income if the city could find a way to manage golf like the business it is. The Foster golf course is a great example of success. They leveled the old clubhouse and built a new one, complete with conference rooms used by businesses during the week and the public (birthday parties, wedding receptions etc.) on the weekend. Where is the driving range at West Seattle that we have been promised for over a decade?
Yes,less open green spaces, more condo’s! Good grief! Why not throw Camp Long under the bus too.
Brandon: No green space would be lost. Know what you are talking about before you comment please.
I would like to add that the fees from the Seattle Golf Courses are used to fund the library system. Seattle has taken the revenue for years from the golfers and used it for other purposes that ALL can use.
The investment in the golf courses and clubhouse to bring it in line with the business models of riverbend, Foster, Maplewood and others greatly enhance revenues all year, and create even more $$$ to share for ALL.
I don’t go to the opera or symphonies but I realize those facilities that a world class city has.
This isn’t a tax give away this is a business investment to create more revenue.
It is a no brainer….
Marty, you hit the nail on the head. I love West Seattle Golf Course, it is much more challenging than Foster. But even though I live in West Seattle, I golf at Foster more because of the improvements they made.
Upgrades and a golfing range and I am there all year round! Rebuild it and they will come!
Regarding West Seattle Golf Course Improvements
Driving Ranges in urban settings are major eye sores. I would not like one in my back yard. The ugly 200 foot high nets, the lights, and the constant ball whacking sound, simply atrocious. However the golf course itself adds fantastic aesthetics to a community.
We’ve got plenty of driving range capacity in this town. I can think of four within 12 min and eight within 20 min.
What we do need is a state of the art real grass short game facility or a 9 hole pitch/chip and putt course. If you want to teach people how to play the game or you are interested in improving your game you don’t need a driving range, you need to improve your pitching, chipping and putting.
I’m for keeping the green fees as low a possible, without sacrificing the quality of the play. Municipal golf should continue to be a sport for the entire Seattle community.
Thoughts after viewing the Master Plan Flyer –
Perimeter Trails – this is a good idea, no asphalt, they should be made gravel, bark mulch or the like to insure a health running/walking surface.
Clubhouse Renovations – maybe a good idea as long as it doesn’t make the green fees increase to $50 or $75 per round.
Electric Carts – Ban all carts, except for the physically handicapped, and go with caddies for those that don’t like to carry their clubs.
Cart Paths – should be totally removed and are unnecessary if walking a policy is enforced.
Driving Ranges – NO – total eyesore seen from tens of miles away. If you need to hit balls go to any of the other dozen golf ranges around town.
Maintenance Facility Improvement – give the maintenance crew whatever they need to insure quality course conditioning.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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