Weatherwax-Revisited

Journal story....

Investors interested in Weatherwax

If city council decides to “dump” Weatherwax Golf Course for less than 50 percent of its market value, Dave Tieman, longtime golf director, said potential buyers will line up.

Ever since a majority of Middletown City Council members said they’re willing to sell the 41-year-old Weatherwax Golf Course, Tieman said he has been contacted by six investment groups “very interested” in purchasing the 36-hole course. He refused to name the groups.

Tieman has told council that Weatherwax, just 10 years ago, was valued at $4.5 million to $5 million, but today, because of the weak economy and health of the golf industry, he estimated its worth at $1.2 million.

If City Council votes to sell the course, and it sets a price at $500,000, Tieman predicted it won’t be on the market long, even though he told council that golf courses aren’t selling right now.

The future of Weatherwax is precarious because of nearly $1 million still owed on a bond for past improvements made to the course, and money already invested in the course that could not be recouped if the city sold the land.

The 2012 subsidy — which was $403,000 including the $222,559 debt payment — was the largest ever.

Weatherwax has become a hot political topic because of its performance in 2011 and 2012, both Tieman blamed on weather.

SELL IT. IT HAS BECOME A WHITE ELEPHANT FINANCIALLY, IT BENEFITS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE CITY'S POPULATION AND THE CITY LOSES MONEY ON IT EVERY YEAR, RIGHT? WITH THE CITY CLAIMING THEY ARE STRAPPED FOR CASH (EXCEPT WHEN THEY "FIND" SOME MONEY TO DO THEIR "SPECIAL" PROJECTS FOR THEIR FRIENDS) IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO UNLOAD IT INTO PRIVATE INVESTOR HANDS. THE AIRPORT ALSO. LET'S GET BACK TO PROVIDING THE BASICS, DOING THAT WELL, DOWNSIZING THE GOVERNMENT OPERATION UNTIL THE CITY BUILDS REVENUE THROUGH JOB CREATION, STABILIZES, AND THEN MOVE ON TO ADDING THE FRILLS. UNTIL THE ECONOMY IMPROVES, UNTIL THE CITY HEALTH IMPROVES, IT IT TIME TO PULL BACK UNNECESSARY SPENDING WHILE PURSUING REVENUE SOURCES. JMO

Council member opinions range from A.J. Smith, who didn’t know how many holes were at Weatherwax, who said to sell the course immediately to Vice Mayor Dan Picard who said he’s willing to give the course another year to increase revenues

DANNY, WE ALREADY HAVE A TRACK RECORD ESTABLISHED FOR CITY FINANCIAL INTERVENTION AT THE COURSE. EVERY YEAR, LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE CITY SPENDS MONEY TO KEEP THE COURSE OPERATION AFLOAT. ONE MORE YEAR, AS YOU SUGGEST, IS NOT GOING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND WILL MEAN ANOTHER $400,000 BUCKS OUT OF THE CITY COFFERS TO MAINTAIN WHAT SHOULD BE A PRIVATELY RUN BUSINESS. THE COURSE CAN'T MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE OF 400 THOU TO OFFSET THE CITY MONEY. IT WON'T BREAK EVEN AND THE CITY WILL AGAIN, WASTE MONEY TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

My family and I came to Middletown in 1987, fell in love with the area, and especially the Weatherwax golf course. 

maybe donald trump will buy it, maybe the city should call trumps people and offer incentives for him to buy it. could you imagine what a boost that would give the are ,and we have an airport close by  just a thought 

Weatherwax Golf Course is a real asset for the city of Middletown. It brings many people to Middletown who would otherwise not come to the city and spend their money.

Weatherwax is well known to all golfers in the tristate area. To sell it at this time, or anytime, would be a serious mistake.

It hasn't lost money every year. In fact, most years it has made money including servicing the debt. The last 2 years have not been financially good due to weather conditions.

vet---you don't get it because you don't want to get it imo.
weatherwax has done well over the long run.
every golf club around is struggling.
i just finished playing a beautiful course in Fla. @ $15 per player--Sunday evening rate.
you have no problem shilling for the Senior Center levy because you benefit from it.
So quit being hypocritical.
Not everyone belongs to Wildwood or BRCC
Golf is cheap everywhere these days.
Should we fire sale a beautiful asset--no f'n way!
if it is sold, it should be sold for top $$ instead of enough to pay the debt or fund more giveaway follies in the former downtown area.
Weatherwax is one of our best amenities and attractions imo.
Can't wait to get out there!

correction my way vet
u did not shill for the levy--simply supported it

our city is approaching cash-poor because of ridiculous over-spending on useless properties(which have to be given away or torn down-yet few ever get demo'ed) and incentives to poorly located businesses that have no chance otherwise.

short-term thinking is usually bad thinking
just look at m29's move to eliminate dedicated infrastructure funding to pump the general fund piggy bank.
and a majority voted for this--i did not
typiucal RINO thinking---and this town is full of RINOs

this town is beginning to come back because of private businesss funding/efforts and broad personal community involvement/willpower despite the backwards meddling from Council, admin and DMI/MMF
even our Chamber doesn't get it

sigh--if only i was in charge--lol

Agree with all that you have said here.

Spider:

"sigh--if only i was in charge--lol"

You make light of this comment but there are people in town (usually longtimers) that would like to see that happen with you joined by 5 or 6 others from the same mold. You have demonstrated common sense and good sound ideas over the years and council and the other fools, both past and present, could learn from your suggestions.    

I still don't know who M29 is but suspect he/she is from the 8o's era on council with the comment concerning eliminating infrastructure funding (street fund) and placing that money in the general fund....for decades and to this date. Gotta be Becker or someone who served with him.

everyone keeps talking about the golf course as if it was sold it will disappear off the face of the earth. It will still be located in the same spot. Would'nt it still be operated as a golf course? would'nt we still have people playing the course?

completely agree!!