County To Consider Higher Greens Fee Local Golf Courses, In Need Of Help, Are Ranked Among The Finest

One of Spokane’s hottest political potatoes is about to plop like a Titleist in county commissioners’ laps.

On the recommendation of the golf advisory committee, commissioners will hold a hearing Dec. 2 to decide whether to increase greens fees.

The fees at the three county courses - Hangman Valley, MeadowWood and Liberty Lake - would go from $14.50 to $16 for most players.

The county would use the money to repair an estimated $700,000 in flood damage at Hangman Valley and make improvements at all three courses.

Commissioner Phil Harris said Tuesday he sees “no reason to raise our golf fees.”

“Is that a joke?” asked Commissioner John Roskelley, who voted with Commissioner Kate McCaslin to hold the hearing.

Harris later said he may change his mind about the fees after he hears golfers’ comments.

He and McCaslin killed a proposed 50-cent increase in January, saying they didn’t think the county was doing enough to promote the courses. Since then, the advisory committee has developed a marketing plan that includes more advertising and low fees during the off-season.

In January 1996, shortly after he joined the commission, Roskelley took a political beating for proposing $16 greens fees. The hearing was one of the best-attended in recent county history.

A dollar of that 1996 increase would have gone toward improving parks. This time, “we’re not asking for any of the money to go to the parks,” said Fran Boxer, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, whose duties include overseeing golf courses.

Boxer noted that Hangman Valley has flooded twice since the 1996 debate over greens fees. Repairing that damage will require more money than the self-supporting courses bring in, she said.

In addition, the advisory committee lists about $2 million worth of improvements needed at the three courses.

In March, Golf Digest praised Spokane’s “wondrously cheap, unpretentious, high-quality” courses.

Of Hangman Valley, the magazine wrote, “Let us play Hangman until we can draw (golf clubs) back no more.” The magazine gave MeadowWood an even higher ranking.

But one of the attributes the magazine praised - high-quality golf for less than $20 - would be lost for most of its readers if commissioners approve the rate increase.

The advisory committee recommends $21.50 greens fees for non-residents.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Proposal Greens fees proposed by Spokane County’s golf advisory committee: Adult (18 holes): now $14.50; proposed $16. Adult (nine holes): now $11; proposed $12. Senior (nine or 18 holes): now $10.25; proposed $11.25. Junior (nine or 18 holes): now $7.75; proposed $8.50. Non-resident: now $19.50 for all; proposed $21.50 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10.50 for juniors, $14 for adults playing nine holes. Cart rental: now $6; proposed $5.50. County residents could save money by paying for 10 to 100 golf rounds in advance.