how much does seattle spend on city owned golf course per season

The city courses use dynamic pricing, meaning rates vary by demand, but generally top out at $37 for the 18-hole courses. Juniors (ages 6-18) can play the courses for $5 during most times; there are reduced rates for seniors and military; and the courses are also used by high schools and the nonprofit First Tee youth program.

Full Answer

How much is your private golf course land worth?

The land of Sand Point Country Club, in Northeast Seattle, is appraised at $1.03 per square foot. Broadmoor Golf Club, in Madison Park, at $0.76 per square foot. Across the county’s 27 private golf courses and one driving range, the average appraised land value is $0.49 per square foot, according to county data.

Why do private country clubs exist in Seattle?

Private country clubs proliferated in the first half of the 20th century in part because public clubs had been ordered to desegregate. Many Seattle golf clubs restricted membership to white players only through the late 1960s.

Why is golf still segregated in Seattle?

Many Seattle golf clubs restricted membership to white players only through the late 1960s. While the sport has given more opportunities to Black players in recent years, tax subsidies for private courses are remnants of golf’s inequitable beginnings, Scott said.

How much is land taxed in Seattle’s most affordable neighborhoods?

On average, land in the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle is taxed at 71 times the rate of private golf course land, according to a Seattle Times analysis of county property records.

How much revenue does a golf course bring in?

Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.

How much money does the golf industry make each year?

The US golf industry statistics show that the country clubs & golf courses boasted quite the income. According to IBISWorld's report from 2020, the market was worth $25,362.5 million that year, and it is expected to keep growing.

What state has the most public golf courses per capita?

States ranked by elite public-access coursesOregon, 8.00.Wisconsin, 7.56.California, 7.55.Florida, 7.34.North Carolina, 7.17.South Carolina, 7.11.Michigan, 6.94.Hawaii, 6.92.More items...•

Is golf popular in Seattle?

However, the drizzly gem of the Pacific Northwest has quietly become home to one of the country's most vibrant golf scenes. Nestled in the green foliage of the surrounding mountains, Seattle has become a top golfing destination.

How much money is spent annually on golf?

But for now, let's talk about some equipment takeaways. When asked how much they spend on golf equipment annually, the majority (43.8%) said between $500-$1,000. That barely beat out a group of 40.1% that said it spends less than $500 a year. Only 13.4% said between $1,000-$2,000, and just 2.7% said more than $2,000.

Which golf Company makes the most money?

the Callaway Golf CompanyWhile net sales of both the Callaway Golf Company and the Acushnet Company were extremely close one year earlier, at more than 3.1 billion U.S. dollars, Callaway was the clear front-runner in 2021.

Which city in America has the most golf courses?

#1. Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FLGolf courses and country club establishments per 100,000 people: 17.9.Establishments located in metro: 69.Metro population: 384,902.

What city has the most golf courses per square mile?

Golf courses per square mileRankStateCourses /sq. mile1R.I.0.036252Mass.0.035623N.J.0.033824Conn.0.0322946 more rows•Jan 8, 2010

What state is golf most popular?

America's Most Golf-Rich StatesFlorida – 1,055.California – 928.New York – 832.Michigan – 825.Texas – 808.Ohio – 757.Pennsylvania – 690.Illinois – 669.More items...

Is Seattle a good golf city?

Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainier and home of both the University of Washington Men's and Women's golf teams, the course is in great shape regardless of the season. It's become the go-to course for serious players in the area; you'll find the die-hards here on the gloomiest of Seattle days.

How much does it cost to play golf in Seattle?

Greens fees run from $299 during the summer to $159 during the shoulder season, and tee times can be reserved as far as 90 days in advance.

How many golf courses are there in WA?

There are 64 golf courses in or near Western Australia.

How many people are in Seattle when the first golf course opened?

The City of Seattle’s municipal golf courses provide valuable open space and recreational benefits in a city that has seen its population grow from about 276,000 people, in 1916, when the first municipal course opened, to a population estimated at 724,725 in 2018.

How many golf courses are there in Seattle?

The City of Seattle operates four golf facilities with a total of three 18- hole courses, three 9-hole short courses, three driving ranges, and one mini-golf putting course. Courses occupy 528 acres within the City according to a June 30, 2017 memorandum prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR).

How many rounds will golf be played in 2027?

Applying that same 1 percent average annual increase to 2021-2027 results in 227,000 rounds played in 2027, which is 7 percent less than the 243,000 rounds play in 2013. On an operating basis, the courses have net income ranging from $0.1 million in 2018 to a deficit of $2.3 million in 2027.

What is the West Seattle Golf Course?

The West Seattle Golf Course is a Works Progress Administration (WPA) legacy . In 1935, Puget Mill Company sold 207 acres to the City of Seattle upon the condition that the City procure assistance from the WPA to develop a municipal golf course at the site of what is now the West Seattle Golf Course.

How much did the 2009 Master Plan cost?

The improvements completed from the 2009 Master Plan cost approximately $15.5 million and were funded by long-term general obligation bonds. This has increased debt service (paid out of the golf operating budget) by $1.1 million since 2010, resulting in a total debt service amount of $1.5 million as of 2016.

How many rounds of golf were played in Seattle in 2000?

In 2000, Seattle had 564,109 residents, and 280,000 rounds of golf were played on municipal courses. In 2017, the number of rounds dropped to 206,010 while population skyrocketed to 725,000.

How much water does Interbay Golf Center use?

Utility costs will not be declining, and the report states, “SPU fees have increased an average of 6% a year since 2010.” The report doesn’t state how many CCF of potable water are used by the courses, but gives a cost of $520,000 for Interbay Golf Center. Backing out the cost from Seattle Public Utility’s rates, that looks to be about 60 million gallons of water. This is on top of the 37.5 inches of rain Seattle gets in an average year. How much water is 60 million gallons? The Colman Pool in West Seattle (pictured above) is roughly 500,000 gallons. It would be like filling it up, and emptying it out, 120 times — most of that occurring in summer and the shoulder seasons. Sixty million gallons is the United Nations-recommended amount of water for 12,500 people for an entire year. Interbay is only a nine-hole course!

How many gallons of water does the Colman pool have?

The Colman Pool in West Seattle (pictured above) is roughly 500,000 gallons. It would be like filling it up, and emptying it out, 120 times — most of that occurring in summer and the shoulder seasons. Sixty million gallons is the United Nations-recommended amount of water for 12,500 people for an entire year.

When did minority golfers face discrimination?

The report doesn’t have any data on racial diversity of users, but notes that until the 1960s, minority golfers faced significant discrimination. Yikes. (Credit: City of Seattle Golf Study) According to United States Golf Association, “From 1934 to 1961, the Caucasian-only clause was a part of The PGA of America’s by-laws ...

Is golf in Seattle thriving?

Seattle has gotten wealthier, younger, denser — and golf is not thriving. This graph, by the way, is reminiscent of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) traffic projections. Jackson Park Golf Course: poor land use all the way down. (Credit: Google Maps)

Is the golf program bleeding money?

All of the golf programs are bleeding money. Green fees are falling like a rock (16% in just two years). Operational costs are increasing. And there is a long laundry list of outstanding maintenance and facility upgrades that will push the golf programs millions of dollars into the red in coming years.

Is Seattle a global phenomenon?

CityLab reported on this very issue last year. This is not unique to Seattle, nor the US, but a global phenomenon. Much like climate change, this change is abrupt and drastic. We should be reacting to that change, not sticking our heads in the sand to preserve a floundering and inequitable status quo. Determining whether or not municipal golf courses are the ‘best use’ of public land — especially as they continue to bleed financial and water resources—is absolutely something that should be studied. It would be financially imprudent, and environmentally irresponsible, not to.

When did Seattle restrict golf membership?

Many Seattle golf clubs restricted membership to white players only through the late 1960s. While the sport has given more opportunities to Black players in recent years, tax subsidies for private courses are remnants of golf’s inequitable beginnings, Scott said.

What happens if golf club members restrict the use of a golf course?

The state Supreme Court has twice ruled that if golf club members or surrounding properties restrict the course’s use, development or sale, the course’s market value may be effectively zero.

Why did private country clubs proliferate in the first half of the 20th century?

(That language became unenforceable in 1948.) Private country clubs proliferated in the first half of the 20th century in part because public clubs had been ordered to desegregate. Many Seattle golf clubs restricted membership to white players only through the late 1960s.

Is golf in rural areas?

Of course, golf courses aren’t rural. Were any of the clubs to sell their courses, they’d likely score well over the appraised value. One big transfer of largely undeveloped Seattle property — the 2000 sale of 17.8 acres in Laurelhurst to a company associated with telecommunications magnate Bruce McCaw, which is moving forward with plans to build 65 single-family homes on the site — netted $ 20.14 per square foot.

Does the assessor appraise golf courses?

For decades, the assessor’s office has appraised golf courses as if they have such restrictions, which has helped keep values low. Now, the assessor is reinvestiga ting. Wilson has asked all the county’s clubs whether their courses have use restrictions.

Does Wilson want golf courses to pay higher taxes?

Though Wilson said he’s reconsidering how his department values golf courses, actually getting them to pay higher taxes might require action from voters or the state Legislature. And clubs would likely challenge any action from the assessor that could boost their liability.

Do private golf courses get subsidized?

In other words, homeowners and commercial landlords are subsidizing private courses’ tax bills — despite the fact that most taxpayers will never see inside some of the exclusive clubs, said Shaun Scott, who in 2019 campaigned for City Council on a platform that included raising taxes on private golf courses to fund investments in transit, multifamily housing and green energy.

What does selling a golf course mean?

Selling a golf course means no more deficits eating into city budgets. Let’s just do some crude math comparisons of what the city might get from various options: Current operations: Lose $200,000 or more per year; try to find money to fund improvements.

How many golf courses were privatized in Tucson?

The privatization was so successful that by the end of the year, the city privatized a sixth course. Neighboring Tucson, Ariz. also privatized five city-owned golf courses in January to help address the city’s $8 million annual budget shortfall.

How much did Bobby Jones lose in 2013?

City documents show the golf course lost $228,000 in 2013 and was expected to lose about $875,000 in 2014 and another $700,000 in 2015.

Is there a shortage of affordable golf courses?

Providing a golf course is not a core competency of city government. The area has no shortage of affordable golf courses that are open to the public. The only real question is what the city should do with the money-losing course.

Should the city sell golf courses?

The city should sell the course, either to a private developer or a golf-management company, get the best deal it can, use the money that comes in to pay down pension debt and enjoy future budgets without having to backfill losses at the course.

Is golf open to the public?

As of 2010, the National Golf Foundation reported that the private sector owns about 80% of the U.S. golf courses that are open to the public (not counting private country clubs, etc.) Government-owned golf courses are a minor and unnecessary part of the market and often lose money. So it’s no surprise that privatizing golf courses is a popular option.