County Golf Income Not Up To Par Pros May Have To Pay More Of Courses’ Business Expenses

Spokane County golf courses lost $24,000 in 1995 on businesses that generated profits for three golf professionals.

Golfers made up the difference with greens fees - money that is supposed to go toward upkeep of Hangman Valley, Liberty Lake and MeadowWood golf courses.

With the golf pros’ five-year contracts expiring, county officials want to increase the county’s cut of any profits made at the courses. A proposed new contract also would require the pros to pay more of business expenses.

Golf professionals are hired by the county as independent contractors. They run the clubhouses, golf shops and restaurants and book tournaments and tee times at the public courses.

The county earns a commission on every hamburger, putter or other merchandise sold or rented. But in 1995, that commission was not enough to cover the cost of electricity, garbage collection, appliance repairs and other overhead.

Figures for 1996 won’t be available until April when tax statements from the pros are due. But the profit-loss equation probably didn’t change much, said Francine Boxer, director of parks, recreation and fairgrounds.

Profits earned by the pros varied greatly in 1995.

Kaye Walker, who retired from MeadowWood last year, earned $116,432 before taxes, according to financial information he filed with the county.

At Hangman Valley, pro Steven Nelke claimed income of $34,119. Bob Scott, who replaced Walker at MeadowWood, earned $31,075 in 1995 as the pro at Liberty Lake.

The county does not require pros to report money they earn by giving golf lessons. As independent businessmen, they must pay their own health insurance and other benefits.

Boxer proposes contract changes that would have put the county about $10,000 in the black in 1995. Under the proposed contract:

The county would claim 10 percent of profits from restaurants, driving ranges and cart rentals at Hangman Valley and MeadowWood. In past years, its share was 2 percent to 5 percent for those enterprises.

At Liberty Lake, the county would claim 3 percent from the restaurant, 5 percent from the driving range and 8 percent from cart rentals. It now collects 2 percent to 5 percent.

The pros would pay for garbage collection and any repairs to restaurant appliances. The county spent about $4,000 on those expenses in 1995.

“Fair’s fair,” MeadowWood pro Scott said of the proposed changes. “Gosh, it’s fine with me.”

Nelke could not be reached for comment. Kit DeAndre, who replaced Scott at Liberty Lake, would not comment.

Commissioner Phil Harris said the county should adopt the contract and give the pros 48 hours to sign it or be replaced. Otherwise, he said, the county is forcing golfers “to subsidize the private businesses of the pros.”

Commissioner Kate McCaslin said she needs time to study the contract. Commissioner John Roskelley is vacationing this week.

The pro system was set up by the Professional Golf Association and is used by nearly every public golf course in the country.

Pros must start as apprentices, then complete classes in food service, accounting, marketing and course development. As golfers, they must meet minimum PGA qualifications.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: County golf deficit