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Golf-course manager urges restoring 18 holes, lays out 10‑year reinvestment plan and funding options
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Summary
Operations manager Brent presented five scenarios and a 10‑year reinvestment plan for the Black River Golf Course, urging the council to budget to reopen 18 holes, fix two bridges, restore irrigation and replace problem greens; he noted possible 1:1 TDA matching funds and projected annual net operating profit of $150,000–$200,000 if 18 holes are restored.
Brent, operations manager of the Black River Golf Course, told the council that restoring and operating an 18‑hole course is the most sustainable option for the facility and presented a phased 10‑year plan that prioritizes drainage, bridge repairs, green replacements and irrigation upgrades.
Brent outlined five options (9 holes as‑is; 9 holes with driving range; 18 holes as‑is; 18 holes restored; and a hybrid approach) and recommended reopening and budgeting for 18 holes. He argued a 9‑hole course is unlikely to be viable long term and that restoring 18 holes supports local tourism and downtown businesses. The manager reported that in the last full fiscal year the facility generated roughly $1.1 million in related economic activity and said a conservative operating projection as a full 18‑hole course could produce $120,000–$200,000 in net operating results annually once reinvestment is made.
Near‑term needs: the front side requires two cart‑bridge repairs and additional staffing to operate 18 holes. Bridge bids returned higher than expected (lowest reported bid ~ $166,000); staff proposed rejecting the bids and seeking alternative procurement or modified specifications to bring bridge costs into a $90,000–$100,000 range. Brent recommended a targeted capital program this fiscal year (bridge repairs and staffing) and a multi‑year plan for greens, tee boxes, cart paths, drainage and maintenance building work.
Funding opportunities and constraints: Brent reported a Buncombe County tourism development agency (TDA) program that can match certain recreation/tourism projects 1:1; staff suggested the course might be competitive for a match if it is 18 holes rather than a 9‑hole community course. Brent also cautioned that capital and operating realities (staffing, equipment and fuel costs) require careful budgeting and phased spending rather than attempting all major repairs at once.
Council response and next steps: Council members supported exploring procurement alternatives on bridge work, asked for updated bids and for staff to return in April with bridge procurement options and budget scenarios. Brent said a budget amendment will be required if the council chooses to budget for additional staff this fiscal year.
Quotes
"If we say it's 9 holes, most likely this golf course lasts 10 years," Brent said, arguing that 9‑hole operation is less sustainable than restoring 18 holes.
"So the thing here is, 18 holes is the way to go," one council member said in support during discussion.
The council did not vote on a final funding package at the meeting; staff will return with bid evaluations and a recommended procurement approach for the bridges and a timeline for reopening the front nine.
