Golf club appeals for funds

A new clubhouse at Bartram Trail Golf Club, some say, could ultimately benefit Columbia County in the form of added tax money. Commissioners, though, say they're not so sure about agreeing to the proposed cost -- $1.6 million, which could fund other improvements that commissioners say are more important.

At issue is the future of the 150-acre, 18-hole public golf course that will belong to the county once the debts to build it are paid in about 20 years.

Members of the golf club, located off Columbia Road in Grovetown, recently appealed to county officials to include a clubhouse on a list of projects under consideration for a proposed 1-cent sales tax for 2011 to 2016. A double-wide trailer serves as the course's clubhouse, containing a snack bar, small pro shop and two bathrooms. The course generates about $1.6 million annually, estimated Robby Watson, Bartram Trail's head golf professional and general manager.

He said he believes a clubhouse could boost revenue by $150,000 to $200,000 each year through added memberships, additional tournaments and other events. Mr. Watson said he also believes the county is hurt by denying itself the added sales tax revenue a clubhouse might generate with an enlarged pro shop and restaurant and the loss of hotel/motel taxes from potential out-of-town guests attending tournaments Bartram Trail is unable to attract. Though Bartram Trail will play host to a state amateur qualifying tournament, Mr. Watson said the clubhouse prevents it from being host of the championship.

Commissioners have showed little enthusiasm for the project. Ron Thigpen called the clubhouse "too narrowly focused" to consider in the sales tax referendum, which would go before voters in a November ballot.

If a clubhouse is to be funded using sales tax money before 2016, proponents will need to convince commissioners to include it onto the list of sales tax items likely to receive approval at an Aug. 19 meeting.

Already, public support for a natatorium and tennis center has spurred commissioners to approve a resolution to let voters in November decide whether to have the county's millage increased for the construction of such facilities. However, it's too late for the commission to pass another resolution in time to meet a Georgia Secretary of State deadline to include referendums on the general election ballot, said Columbia County Attorney Doug Batchelor.

Though Bartram Trail supporters and other area golf course executives believe a clubhouse is integral to the profitability of a golf course, the county-owned Augusta Municipal Golf Course, commonly referred to as The Patch, failed to generate a profit despite the presence of a clubhouse.

In 2007, The Patch was budgeted $698,900, but spent just $558,978. It generated $549,565 in revenues, according to the Augusta Finance Department.

But Kirk Smith, the marketing director for Savannah Lakes Village and Golf Club in McCormick, S.C., calls a clubhouse essential for his private course. Mr. Smith said it's even more important for public courses such as Bartram Trail.

"If it's a public facility, it becomes absolutely instrumental in order to bring in corporate events and other outside opportunities to generate revenue for the club," he said.

Clubhouses add prestige to a course, a convenience for golfers and also become an attraction for those not interested in golf, Mr. Smith said. Many residents of Savannah Lakes use the clubhouse for socializing, he said.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.