In 2005, the city of Stow and owners of Fox Den agreed to a change of ownership; Fox Den Golf Course in Stow, Ohio was now the property of the city of Stow and, until a few months ago, had proved to be a very lucrative investment. For anyone who has visited Fox Den recently, it is clear that the course has seen better days. Many of the fairways are dead or ‘burned out’ by the sun. The greens which have been known in the past to be very respectable are plagued by divot holes and dead zones. Many of the regulars who have made of a habit of using the once beautiful course are now looking for other options. They are disgusted by the conditions of the course. Nick Wren, the director of parks and recreation, blames the faults on broken water pumps, which have now been repaired, but perhaps too late. Some of the fairways were 20 percent grass and 80 percent dirt,” said Councilman Rasor after playing the course several weeks ago. “Charging anything to play there in those conditions, it’s a rip off.”
“I remember back in 2003 when it was a great play to play,” continued Rasor. “It’s had a steady decline since the city bought it four years ago.”
Did the city of Stow make a poor choice of investment? My answer is no! Even with our recession, golf is a very popular but expensive sport. Because it is so expensive, golfers want to get the most for their money. As a golfer and someone who lives within walking distance of Fox Den, I know that the course is in rough shape There is no way I am paying to play there while the course is in such lousy condition. If the city wants to see return for their purchase, they need to care for their course, and do anything in their power to improve the conditions.
http://www.stowsentry.com/news/article/4892310
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-140051017/fox-den-approves-sale.html
by Jake Smolinski
Well Mr. Smolinski, I had a little trouble trying to comprehend what you were getting at. However, I agree that people of the community shouldn’t have to pay to play if the conditions on the course are lacking. But what other way are they going to raise money to fix it? Okay, the course has had a "steady decline" but there wouldn’t be a problem if the City of Stow would have dealt with the situation when they first started losing members and noticed the terrain becoming bad. Touching on what you said about “blaming the water pipes and how it was too late to repair”, It was their fault for not keeping up with the course. They should have had maintenance keep a close eye on everything and it seems they did not. I also agree, the City of Stow didn’t have a poor choice of investment but more a poor choice in keeping up with renovations.
ReplyDelete--Micaela Gutlove
Miss Gutlove,
ReplyDeletePerhaps your comment would strengthen some with a reference to an article regarding maintenance. Without a reference, your comment falls a bit short.
I think the city of Stow made a poor choice in buying the golf course. Why did the city buy something but not take care of it? Now Fox Den has a big problem because there is little grass, broken water pumps, and few people want to play on the course. If the city now wants to repair Fox Den, it will require a lot of money and the city will earn very little.
ReplyDeleteMr. Chinguad
http://www.ohio.com/news/85740822.html
I do not think the city of Stow made a bad investment. It isn't their fault that Foxden Golf Course is run down. They have been working to keep it up. However, I do agree that the residents paying to used the course are getting somewhat ripped off. Stow Parks and Rec. should at least lower their prices for golf. If the course is in bad conditions, residents should not have to pay as much as they have been for a game of golf.
ReplyDeleteKatie Cottrill