March 28, the Black Mountain Board of Aldermen voted to make $25,000 in renovations to the municipal golf course’s clubhouse. Alderman Carlos Showers proposed investing that amount before seeing a report that said all improvements could be made for $43,000. That bill covered only upgrades for ADA and local building code compliance.
Aldermen Mike Sobol and Tim Rayburn were concerned the limited renovations would cause the golf course to lose tournaments and suffer irreparable emotional harm, not in so many words. The matter was reconsidered April 11. Then, the board approved spending no less than $128,400 on renovations. $250,000 has been allocated for golf course improvements.
Although more money was availed for clubhouse repairs, the original proposal was not amended to perpetuate the closing off of portions of the clubhouse to members of the general public. Representatives of local golf associations were not happy. They enjoy exclusive use of rooms controlled by liquor license laws. Having to share the rooms with the general public could cause golfers to relocate, reduce the golf tourism business, and deprive the town of untold economic multipliers.
