My Turn: Consider nature, location and playing cost for golf course
This letter raises some issues that I feel should be considered in planning for a golf course in the North Douglas watershed. These issues regard the nature of the golf course, the location of the course, and the cost of play.
The course should be as maintenance-free as possible. This means using naturally occurring trees, shrubs, streams, sand, turf, etc. as much as possible, while doing as little damage to (but, rather, enhancing) the environment and character of Juneau. Also, it should be world-class-and-championship-caliber ready. That is, it should be possible to convert the course to a championship level by selectively moving "normal" tee locations back (say, up to 100 yards), or placing them in alternate places. In this way, the course would be difficult in its long (championship) form and challenging in its short (normal) form.
I believe the current (Oct. 3, 2001) proposed location of the course presents a formidable environmental problem, particularly with respect to protection of wildlife and fish spawning streams. However, if the present North Douglas road was to be extended and the golf course located south and west of the present proposed location, I believe the environmental problems would be relatively minor. Alternatively, others have suggested a location off of Eaglecrest Road, prior to where the road gets steep on the way to the ski area. Another suggestion has been the area at the end of Industrial Boulevard.
Many variables enter into the issue of cost per round. I believe that, in addition to the nature an location of the course, weather is the most important variable. During the 30 years I have lived here, my experience is that there are, on average, about five months during the year that the weather is compatible for playing golf. During these five months we sometimes have long periods of rainless and windless days. However, during this period, the opposite is also true: Long periods of rainy and windy days are not rare. In fact, I think we can only count on about two out of three days during these five months that the weather is compatible for playing golf.
If this is correct, it means that there will be about 100 days a year that are "golf days" in Juneau. This is in contrast to Southern California, where the number of "golf days" per year is probably close to 300. If this, too, is correct, it means that, all things being equal, the cost for a round of golf in Juneau has to be three times the cost in Southern California to generate the same income. I see on the Internet that the cost for a round of golf is, minimally, $75 in San Diego. All things being equal, that means that a round of golf in Juneau would be, minimally, $225. Playing golf once a month for $225 may be feasible for some, but playing four or five times a month is probably too costly for most. This means that the course would be played only by the most wealthy and/or by tourists unless other revenue could be generated.
I hope that the suggestions I've made are taken into consideration and the problems I've identified are overcome. I remember with great fondness and appreciation the role that golf has played in my life. I recall playing 36 holes almost every day during summers at the now defunct La Mesa Country Club, near San Diego. There, in 1950, junior golfers could play as much as they wanted during the weekdays for $5 a month! That early skill-building led to many opportunities and accomplishments that remain with me today. I hope the youth of Juneau can have a similar opportunity.
Juneau resident Robert P. Gregovich is a former captain of the University of California golf team and has maintained an interest in the game throughout his life.