17 Cents a Day to keep green fairways and 36 holes of golf in Oakmont? Hell Yes!
I am very much opposed to the way the OVA board has handled the OGC situation. We were promised complete transparency by Mr. Spanier when he was running for President, and we’ve gotten pretty much the opposite.
That being said, with Tiger playing strongly again, and with pro golf tournament contenders mostly in their mid-20s, the prospect of golf overall is stronger than it’s been for a while. And we have the wonderful assets of 36 holes of golf here in Oakmont. I do not believe that anyone in Oakmont cannot afford 17 cents a day to keep two of our most valuable showcases alive. The water company, the Press Democrat, Recology, PG&E et al, raise their rates annually a lot more than 17 cents. ($5.00 monthly).
The small group of almost daily Doom and Gloomers headed by the ultimate golf hater have bombarded us with a few facts and mostly unfounded fear. I don’t care about golf courses in Tucson… I care about the possibility of destroying a big, big draw for 55+ retirees. Even if you do not play golf, stop into the Quail Inn and look down the magnificent Hole 18 of the West Course. What a view!
Naysayers who say the golf courses do not add anything to life in Oakmont are dead wrong. At 17 cents a day, these courses are irreplaceable jewels. Urge OVA to openly negotiate with the OGC and at least explain to all of us why the money is needed. 17 cents a day for irreplaceable beauty? Hell, Yes.
Steve Edwards, Oakmont
Steve, just because some don’t value golf and/or the courses to the same degree you do, it doesn’t mean they “hate” golf.
I have a friend (with an MBA) who moved from Oakmont to San Diego County 3 years ago who made the unsolicited comment to me last weekend that it’s unfortunate the OGC still hasn’t figured out that 2 courses aren’t sustainable.
For some of us, it’s simply a bad business decision to subsidize a separate, privately-owned, for-profit enterprise, especially when we (OVA members) already have so many competing demands on our limited financial resources for which we are being told we need to take out loans.
Also, too many factors tell us the OGC is a poor investment. If some want to voluntarily send their money the way of the OGC with the hope of a turnaround, then they are free to do so, but it’s offensive on so many levels for the OVA BOD to mandate any such contributions for all the reasons provided in other forums.
Just wondering, how many times do the residents of Oakmont have to say the same thing? We don’t want to pay for the OGC’s businesses, you cannot force
us to. Since you own them, go figure it out or go out of business, and leave the rest of us out of it. Anyone that wants to pay – feel free.
It has become beyond annoying to unwillingly have other people’s problems foisted on you, and then nagged to death when not getting the desired response.
I don’t care if golf dies or becomes every able person’s most favored pastime. I am not interested, and have other ways I want to allocate my money. Please just stop trying to manipulate us – you are not as smart as you think, are not going to get the desired result, and frankly are wasting your own time when you should spend it figuring out what to do with your problem.
Thank you, Steve, for speaking up! I understand that the OGC is a private entity, but ALL of Oakmont property values depend on an attractive golf course, whether you live on the courses or not. It is shortsighted to ignore the problem, it will only grow.
So many people I have discussed this with are willing to help, the just won’t speak up in forums for fear of being shouted at by the minority of angry naysayers.
It is clear to most realtors who work here that a failed golf course will result in a substantial loss in property values. The decline, perhaps with catastrophe result, will definitely affect the west side and those in the hills. We are all in the same community.
Legally if OGC defaults on its loan or declares bankruptcy, the OGC property will be fought over by lawyers. Maybe for years. The OGC property will not be cared for except for some fire-prevention mowing in summer. You should expect an invasion of yellow star-thistle, garbage and who-knows-what. While we wait for the next owner to do something, the period of uncertainty will ruin property values.
Steve, Janet and Alan……….your comments are all spot on. Without the golf courses, Oakmont will suffer a great loss.
17 cents a day? Hell yes! (Thanks Steve, love your title). Property values will drop a WHOLE lot more than that if they fail. In fact, I believe they already have. Just take a look at how many homes are for sale, how many have languished on the market for awhile and how many are dropping their prices. I believe people are fleeing now while the “gettin is good” before their values drop any further.