After years of declining rounds and steep debt, the future looks bright at Mather Golf Course.
Sacramento County, which owns the 1,500acre property, is banking on proposed development in Rancho Cordova to breathe new life into the 45-year-old golf course.
"We anticipate that the rounds will increase at Mather because of the new development that's occurring in the area," said Thom Oliver, golf manager for the county.
About 75,000 rounds have been played at Mather annually since 2000, compared with nearly 85,000 rounds when the county bought the property from the Air Force in 1995.
The county agreed to pay $6 million for the course at the former Mather Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. By 2002, however, the debt payments created a nearly $340,000 budget shortfall.
Part of the problem was that the number of rounds played at Mather Golf Course was lower than had been anticipated when the purchase was negotiated, Oliver said.
"We've seen our rounds drop by 15 to 20 percent compared to five to 10 years ago," Oliver said. "It's primarily because of the increased number of new golf courses in the region."
The county renegotiated the purchase and reduced it to $4.4 million. Although the county had set aside funds for the purchase, about $1.6 million was used for new equipment and improvements instead.
This year, Mather is making money. In 2003-04, the golf course made $439,769 after expenses. Total revenues were $2.74 million.
Because county golf courses are operated as an enterprise fund - which is separate from the general fund - Oliver does not believe the county's budget woes will directly affect Mather.
The county is looking forward to a steady increase in rounds during the next few years, Oliver said.
Although some housing has been built near Mather - Independence at Mather and the Villages of Zinfandel - an increase in rounds hasn't happened yet.
"You need a lot more growth around a golf course to see a spike in rounds," said Paul Henderson, general manager of the Mather Golf Course. "But Mather is well-situated with all the growth taking place off Sunrise (Boulevard)."
About 36,000 new homes are planned south of Highway 50 in Rancho Cordova.
Players say they've noticed better-maintained greens since the county took over the golf course.
"I think it's just gotten better," said Mike Callahan of Lincoln, who has played at Mather for 15 years. "Everyone I know who comes out here feels the same way."
Carol Hegner started playing at Mather in 1974 and said she has noticed big changes during her weekly rounds, including improved course conditions and no more puddles.
"We used to go through up to our knees in water," she said. "They really take care of it now."
Some players also say they appreciate being able to get a tee time and not having to face large crowds.
Mather contracts with a private company, CourseCo Inc., for maintenance and operations. Sacramento County also owns and operates Ancil Hoffman and Cherry Island golf courses.
Henderson would like to see more improvements at Mather, but funding isn't available yet. The golf course master plan calls for a new irrigation system, new greens and clubhouse improvements.
Source: The Sacramento Bee