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At Least Break Even

According to Golf Advisor.com, the course at the gorgeous and beautifully maintained Guilford Lakes Golf Course (GLGC) is highly rated. In fact, the reviews, which are “by golfers, for golfers” are phenomenal. For example, “by far the best par 3 course I have ever played.” Therefore, it is baffling as to why the GLGC is running at a deficit of $60,000-$70,000 per year as revealed by members of the Golf Commission in articles on Sept. 27, 2016 in the Guilford Courier [“Town Changes Financial Strategy for Guilford Lakes Golf Course”].

In fact, more than 13,300 people used the course in 2016 and some play every single day, flocking from all over Connecticut and even out of state. The deficit at this fabulous course stems from shockingly low fees. According to the articles and the GLGC website, the cost to play is just $14 for residents and $16 for non-residents. A yearly membership is $350 for residents and only $50 more for non-residents.

May I suggest an increase in the daily rate for residential and especially non-residents? Also, a significant increase, perhaps doubling the rate, for the yearly membership for non-residents is highly merited. I leave it to the commission to figure out the details of an exact and fair increase, but please consider if the 13,3000 people who used the course paid an extra $5 each. This would raise an additional $66,500 and wipe out the deficit.

Obviously this is a simplistic approach, but I strongly urge the commission to work the numbers to figure this out and at least break even or perhaps make a few bucks—run the course like the business it truly is! We have a glorious asset in GLGC, let’s make it a positive instead of a burden to the taxpayers.

Deborah Robinson

Guilford