City still wrestling with golf course issue

Following a 45-minute executive session Tuesday, the Ritzville City Council announced they will spend two weeks working with Dan Duff in an effort to negotiate an agreement for the overall maintenance of the Ritzville Municipal Golf Course.

Until then, city employees and volunteers from the Ritzville Golf Association will continue to work together to maintain the course and keep it open for play.

The city has been scrambling since the course manager Corey Morley unexpectedly resigned a two weeks ago.

The city is attempting to hire someone to staff the clubhouse temporarily to collect greens fees and assist golfers.

Mayor Linda Kadlec said the golf course is an important part of the community and must remain open.

At the same time, members of the city council’s Parks and Recreation Committee agree the city would like the course to become financially sound.

It has been more than a decade since the course operated at a profit.

During the past nine years, according to income and expense records provided by the city, the course has lost $294,965.

In 2012 the course posted a loss of $19,150. In 2011, the total loss was $40,208, while the 2010 books show a $23,418 loss.

In 2009, the recorded loss was $33,538 while 2008 showed a loss of $41,307.

Like with the Ritzville City Park, the golf course’s losses do not include what it would cost if the course had to pay for the city water used for irrigation.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Bruce Benzel, an avid golfer and a volunteer who has been helping to maintain the course, had some advice for the city.

“It is very important for any golf course to have a good first impression and the first impression is the clubhouse,” he said.

He said most golf courses spend millions of dollars to maintain first-rate clubhouses for their players. He acknowledged that isn’t possible here.

However Benzel offered another idea.

“It is very important to have someone there making a good impression,” he said. “It is very important they are there to greet people in a positive way.”

The mayor said the city’s parks and recreation committee will continue to work on ensuring the course remains open and that steps are taken to provide for the maintenance, upkeep and operation of the course.