The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Commissioners of Port District 7 got a taste of how expensive it is to run a golf course as they poured over a massive number of golf course related bills last Thursday evening.

It prompted chairman Orville Scharbach to ask: “How long can we remain solvent?”

Secretary/Treasurer Kary Byam responded, “Not long at this rate.”

Port district commissioners went on and made plans to spend $10,000 to purchase a new mower to mow the rough along fairways at Banks Lake Golf Course. When one person asked how they could get by without getting a new rough mower, greenskeeper George Davis replied, “With 20 men and push mowers.”

The commissioners, now caretakers of the golf course, voted to purchase the mower.

Commissioner Stan Conklin stated that he didn’t think any additional help would be required and said he and Commissioner Larry Maier would each run the mower a day, covering the two days a week needed to mow the rough.

Conklin and Maier also each spend a day managing the pro shop.

Davis told commissioners that crews would start plugging and sanding the greens Friday.

Commissioners then voted to cut golf rates in half since the greens would be rough for some time after being plugged and sanded.

18-hole play will cost $15 and 9-hole play will be $10 during this time.

Mike Parisian, who works the pro shop, told commissioners that the golf course now has 61 members, nearly double last year’s membership.

Byam told commissioners that the golf course application for a liquor license was now before the State Liquor Board.