Last month, Bibb County commissioners cut $50,000 of funding from Bowden Golf Course, though the course has been closed for renovations since April.
The course’s director, Brandon Doles, says they’re looking forward to re-opening, but they’re experiencing some extra pressure.
When they open in October, they will be $50K short of the $300,000 they asked for from the county.
“We take what they give us,” he said.
He says in past years, commissioners used those funds to cover their deficit, so they’ll to make budget cuts while facing a new problem.
For the last four months, the course is being renovated, so it hasn’t brought in any revenue.
Doles is hoping to start more golf tournaments to bring in more money to make up for the changes in the budget.
The cost of the renovations? More than $400,000 of SPLOST funds.
Doles expects to bring in more people with the new greens, brand new holes, a certified gold pro and lessons for children.
He hopes once the renovations are done the course will become self-sufficient and they won’t have to ask for more money next year.
“Hopefully in the coming years, this place can support itself. That’s the whole point of doing this renovation with SPLOST funds… to have the place thrive on its own,” he said.
Bowden is one of 14 departments affected by funding cuts.