Muni Golf Public Input Survey
The Asheville Municipal Golf Course is owned by the City of Asheville and affectionately known by its patrons as the “Muni.” It is one of the oldest golf courses in Western North Carolina, having opened in 1927. A Donald Ross layout, it measures 6,379 from the championship tees and plays to a par 72. The course rating from the white tees is 68.5 and 70.4 from the blue tees. The course is in fair condition with Bermuda fairways and bent/poa greens. The property includes a 2,400 square foot clubhouse and snack bar with a porch overlooking the putting green and first tee, a 4,000 square foot maintenance barn, and a 3,200 square foot cart barn. The course is heavily played, with an average of 41,600 starts per calendar year, 20% of which are started by annual passholders. The front nine is flat and wide open, while the back nine is tree-lined, with tight fairways, very hilly, and requires accuracy on every shot. The front nine and back nine are completely different, giving the golfers a wide variety of shot opportunities during their 18 holes of play.

The golf course was transferred to the City’s possession from Buncombe County in 2006 and the Clubhouse is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. In 2012, the City leased out management and operations to a golf course management company.  The lease is set to expire on September 30, 2022.

In 2020, a local filmmaker documented a brief history of the course including the history of it’s prized annual Skyview Tournament.  The documentary aired on PBS and on the Golf Channel and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/JD6zySv1NM0 

The golf course sees heavy traffic from both locals and guests from out of market. Approximately 40% of starts are players residing in Buncombe County, 45% of total starts are residents of North Carolina, and approximately 55% of starts are players from out-of-market.  

The course in its current state is in need of capital repairs, specifically storm water piping.  In 2020, The City of Asheville Commissioned a storm water assessment to determine needs and prioritization of repairs.  In total storm water repair estimates come to $2.3 Million, with the ability to phase repairs in 10 smaller projects ranging in cost estimates from $75,000 - $395,000 each.  The irrigation system was installed in 2015 & software for this system updated in 2019.  

It is the intent and expectation of the City of Asheville to continue to  provide for its citizens a quality public golf facility with a customer service level and fee structure comparable to other daily fee golf courses in the area with similar services and facilities. The following goals and challenges are to be addressed by any initiative to restructure golf course operations:

> Construct needed capital improvements
> Achieve revenue growth for the golf course
> Contain expenditure growth by incentivizing efficient golf course management and operations
> Institute new marketing and sales initiatives

Input received below as well as at a public meeting scheduled for March 29 in the East Asheville Library meeting room at 6:00 pm will be utilized to help shape negotiations and the subsequent contract with the future operator of our historic Donald Ross designed municipal golf course.

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Name:
Email:
Phone:
Age:
I Live in: *
I golf at the Municipal Golf Course *
When you first learned of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, how did you hear about it? *
I feel the golf course is in __________ condition: *
I feel the Membership fee for the golf course is: *
I feel the daily green fees (non-member 'walk-up') for the golf course are: *
The course has significant issues with storm water. Specifically nearly $2.3 in estimated repairs needed to storm water infrastructure, which is causing sinkholes throughout the course as well as water runoff above grade on many holes.  Sinkholes and runoff are negatively affecting cart paths and the ability to grow grass in many fairways, tee boxes and greens.  Do you feel the City should invest City of Asheville capital funds towards improvements to the course? *
Would you support an increase to membership fees to assist in funding improvements to the course? *
Would you support an increase to daily green fees (non-member 'walk-up') to assist in funding improvements to the course? *
Over time additional trees have been planted or naturally seeded throughout the course straying from the original Donald Ross design. Specifically on the back nine, throughout the Beverly Hills neighborhood.  Shade from trees and tree roots can cause challenges with growing grass on fairways, tee boxes and greens.  Would you support a 'thinning' of trees along the course? *
What qualities, skills and experience should the City look for in an operator moving forward?
What role does the Municipal Golf Course serve in your life, or in the lives of your family, or community?  i.e. What is significant about the Municipal Golf Course to you?
Do you have any additional suggestions or feedback related to the management of the Municipal Golf Course?
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