The Truth
There have been False claims made as well as misconceptions we would like to disprove. Please contact us with any questions you may have. We will do our best to give you a quick, factual answer.
WE ARE NIMBYS
(Not In My Back Yard)
An independent contractor has stated that the cost of construction of cluster housing on the golf district would place it at a price point above the average homebuyers range.
"Maybe" was the answer given by PB when asked by city councilors if there would be affordable housing included in the development.
The city of Bath has been generous in developing affordable housing. Mainehousing.org and Bathhousing.org lists 493 affordable housing units with additional units being added over the next 5 years.
The Bath Golf Club had been profitable. Neither Preservation Bath or those opposed to development have financial records prior to 2016. What we do have is the knowledge that membership and guest levels were healthy in the early 2000s up to its sale in 2012. The golf pro stated that in his experience, the course's revenue was more than enough to turn a profit for a well run golf course. (2015-2017)
It is believed by many that the course could be profitable today if sound business practices were used. Visitors of the course are on par with other courses in the area over the last few years. Membership levels have been stagnate though could rebound should the BGC regain member confidence.
The Brunswick Golf Course has remained profitable and boasts a healthy membership with a 100+ waiting list. The game of golf is growing in the region.
There have been 2 bankruptcies since 2000 but the Bath golf course played no role in these. The owner between 2000 and 2012 purchased the course along with a golf ecommerce for a few million. The Bath golf course generated more than its fair share of cash. The same could not be said for the golf equipment online store. Amazon and other ecommerce giants emerged causing the collapse of the ecommerce venture. The Bath Country Club went to auction in 2012.
Harris Golf purchased the course which joined Old Marsh, Penobscot Valley, Sunday River and Falmouth as course owned by Harris. The housing crisis of 2008 added to Harris' financial woes causing the course portfolio to dwindle to one, the Falmouth Country Club. To speculate that The Bath Golf Club caused the bankruptcy of Harris Golf is purely convenient for PB.
Resurrection Golf/Preservation Bath picked up the pieces acquiring Penobscot Valley and Old Marsh. This placed a burden on RG/PB and has since lost ownership of Penobscot Valley. The Bath Golf Course should not hold the blame of Preservation Bath's financial woes.
As with most bankruptcies, there were personal factors that played a part in the failures. We choose to show respect and privacy to individuals involved.
The issue isn't that we do not want condos in Bath or our back yard. It comes down to zoning and more importantly the donation of property by a Bath family to the Bath Golf Club. Land surrounding the Bath Golf Course is available for development. Condos could be built on that property as long as the land use code and zoning is adhered to.
Affordable Housing Will Be Built On The Course
The Bath Golf Course has not been profitable as 18 holes
The Bath Golf Course Caused Bankruptcies in the past.
Family and community
Family and Community is what drives us. The Bath Golf Course as it stands provides ample space and opportunities to provide for the Bath community. Preservation Bath will have you believe that their main interest is also the interests of the Bath citizens. Developers from out of state have been sought to finance PB's plans for development on the course. Reduction of the course would greatly affect the communities use of this resource to run academic sports and fund raising opportunities.
Golf is a rich man's game
Bath is a blue collar course. The majority of the members are average citizens playing an average game of golf.
Property owners should not be told what they can and can not do
Communities have placed zoning and ordinances on land since the dawn of civilization. Most are meant for the betterment of the citizens within the community. The golf district is no different. READ MORE
