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

Port District officials have taken the first step in getting Banks Lake Golf Course open.

District officials hired George Davis III, as grounds and greens keeper.

Davis had worked the past year in that capacity, but was released when the operators of the course announced that it wouldn’t open this year.

The port’s announcement that it would open the course, and run it until a new operator was found, brought hope to area golfers.

The port will have its next regular meeting next Thursday, March 29, at 5 p.m. at offices at the airport.

Port Commissioner Orville Scharbach said there wouldn’t be any other official announcements, at least before that meeting.

Some cart owners had removed their carts from storage sheds at the course in the past week, apparently worried that a lien held by the state against the course would keep them from using their carts.

Port officials indicated at a public meeting March 8 that it would pay the lien and have the course open April 1. Scharbach said that is still the plan. The lien was for not paying state taxes.

With Davis aboard, the port will start irrigation and maintenance of the 18-hole course. No decisions have been made about what the fees will be to play the course.