MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The pending closure of the VA Golf Course for future medical clinics for veterans disappoints golfer Francis Koti.
“I’m going to have to look for somewhere else to play,” said Koti, who’s been playing at the 9-hole course about twice a week for two years.
Koti appreciates the affordable price of $8 per round for him and the proximity that’s a short drive from his Murfreesboro home. The price is $7 for kids and those aged 55 and up.
“It is a good thing if it is something that is being developed for the VA, but obviously I’m disappointed,” Koti said.
Koti is among the many golfers who enjoy playing at the VA course off in the north Murfreesboro area. The course had 19,350 rounds of golf completed in the previous fiscal year that ended June 30. That’s a decrease from the 23,334 in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
The golf course is part of Alvin C. York VA Medical Center campus. The VA has leased the 88-acre course for the Murfreesboro government to operate since 1987. The city announced recently that the course would close by Dec. 31 because the VA has plans for the property.
VA expects increase in enrollment
The large campus is part of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System that’s seeing a rising need for clinical health care services for veterans, spokesman John Anderson said.
“Our team has been exploring all available options,” Anderson said. “We expect a 19 percent increase in veteran enrollment in Rutherford County (in the) coming years.”
Anderson provided the following statements from Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Executive Director Dan Dücker about VA plans for the 88-acre golf course property: “In order to be prepared for this increase and to better serve Middle Tennessee Veterans, we are proposing that much of the current golf course space be included in our plans to expand clinical operations for our long-term residents. TVHS is exploring opportunities to increase adaptive sports activities on the Alvin C. York campus to better serve our Veterans in Rutherford and the surrounding counties.”
Ducker said his staff is currently working on plans for the new use of that land, which requires approval and funding from U.S. Veterans Affairs and Congress.
“As we have for decades, TVHS will continue to work with the city of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation with plans for the space and what Veterans can expect in the local area,” said Ducker, adding that his staff looks forward to sharing more information with the public as it becomes available.
Congressman supports VA plans
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Sherwood, backs the VA providing expanded services for veterans, according to a statement sent to The Daily News Journal. His 4th Congressional District includes Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.
“The Alvin C. York VA Medical Center has a long history of serving our veteran community with excellence,” said DesJarlais, who previously worked as a physician in the Jasper and South Pittsburg area before winning his seat in 2010. “I am proud to lend my support to them as they go through the federal approval process to expand future health care operations. We must cut red tape to help improve the quality of life for those who served our country valiantly.”
Although future medical clinics may be coming to the 88-acre property, golfers such as Koti see the VA Golf course offering a huge therapeutic benefit to veterans by providing them exercise, opportunities to enjoy fellowship with others playing and the chance to get their minds off anything causing stress.
“I never swung a club before, and this is where I learned my golf,” he said. “This is my home golf course.”
Recommendations for golfers
Murfreesboro resident Larry Ashley wishes the city would keep the VA Golf Course. He’s been playing daily since the city recently announced the course would close by the end of 2022.
“It’s a shame. This golf course has meant so much to the folks in Murfreesboro over the years, especially seniors,” said Ashley, who’s 75. “I started playing this golf course since I’ve been in my 30s. Actually I was here and played the first week it was open, and have played lots of rounds of golf in the last 35 years.”
City officials, however, hope the veterans and other VA golfers will pursue opportunities at Murfreesboro’s 18-hole Old Fort Golf Course and the club’s nearby Bloomfield Links, an all par-3 course with six holes. Bloomfield also offers an affordable price, including $8 for most adult ages and $5 for kids, adults with kids and adults 55 and older.
The city’s main Old Fort Golf Course has fees to walk and play nine holes as low as $9 for seniors (55 and older) and children under 18 on Monday through Friday only. The rate for others to walk nine holes Monday through Friday is $15. The rate for all on weekends and holidays is $17, according to the Old Fort Golf Club website.
The city currently partners with the VA for use of Bloomfield Links, Sports*Com, and Miracle Field to provide access for patients with therapeutic recreational activities, according to a press release from Murfreesboro spokesman Mike Browning.
The city’s Old Fort Golf Course also won a $10,000 grant in 2020 by the Tennessee Disability Coalition for the purchase of a motorized single rider mobility lift golf cart. The cart has increased the capacity of Old Fort Golf Club to provide accessibility to the game of golf to individuals who might need assistance or adaptable equipment, Browning added.
VA Golf Course requires city
The city has been losing money on operating the VA Golf Course. This fiscal year’s budget expected the course to collect $168,500 in revenues for an operation that would cost $313,291. The course has seven employees who will be reassigned to other duties and open positions, Browning said.
The city will use its VA Golf Course funding on the local government’s other golf courses to assure they remain financially accessible to the community, Browning’s press release said.
The rough VA Golf Course fairways needed about $1.9 million in improvements to meet the city’s standards. Murfreesboro officials viewed the investment unfeasible given the VA was only willing to offer short leases of one to three years, Browning said.
Even if playing conditions aren’t the best, the course provides a great place for seniors to walk and play golf at the same time, “and it doesn’t break their pocketbook,” Ashley said.
“It’s a true value for people on fixed incomes,” said Ashley, who estimates he’s played over 500 rounds of golf at the VA Golf Course.
“I know every inch of this golf course,” Ashley said. “I taught my son how to play golf out here.”
Mayor: ‘We can’t continue to subsidize a facility that we know is going away’
Murfreesboro officials in previous years had unsuccessfully negotiated for a long-term lease with former plans to invest in a training course and baseball-softball fields on the VA property.
The city even attempted to purchase the 88-acre golf course, according to an email Mayor Shane McFarland sent to a golfer and shared with The Daily News Journal.
“However, legislation for Congress to transfer the land from the VA to Murfreesboro would only be considered for approval if the VA deemed the property to be unwanted now or in the future,” McFarland said. “With the many needs of their program/mission, this is not a viable option.”
The mayor said the city’s initial idea to build a training course ended up being used at Bloomfield Links.
“Here’s the bottom line,” McFarland said. “We have a facility that we don’t own. We have a facility that has a 30-day lease. “We are going to be required, per the lease with the federal government to spend money to bring the parking lot, the clubhouse to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) codes. That is part of having a governmental contract.”
The mayor also said there are few veterans from the VA who play the course.
“The VA has decided that they want to have a better and higher use for veterans to be able to use the property,” McFarland said. “I do not think the city can disagree. The city can not spend taxpayer dollars on property that we don’t own and has a high anticipation that will be taken away. I know that stinks, but that is the truth.”
Although the VA Golf Course offers a niche in providing an affordable place to play golf, the mayor suggested the golfers find other options.
“Cedar Crest is just down the road,” said McFarland, adding that he is also a golfer. “We can’t continue to subsidize a facility that we know is going away.”
The private Cedar Crest Golf Club charges $21 to walk and play nine holes Monday through Friday. The senior rate on Monday through Friday is $16. The fee on the weekend for all is $25, according to the Cedar Crest website.
Golfers in past years convinced city leader to keep course open
Unable to reach long-term proposals, city administrators during at least a couple of past years had recommended ending the lease, but the Murfreesboro City Council decided to keep the VA Golf Course operation going after hearing from the golfers.
Councilman Austin Maxwell suggested the federal government could consider investing $1.9 million on the needed improvements for the golf course to serve veterans.
“As a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, I am confident that local VA leadership is seeking the best options with regards to the care of veterans like myself and the current VA Golf Course property,” said Maxwell, who won his seat in the Aug. 4 election. “I have been pleased with the quality of care that I have received at the Murfreesboro VA and feel that whatever decision is made concerning this property will be in the best interest of the veteran community and the citizens of Murfreesboro.”
Another option the VA could consider is transitional housing for veterans, added Maxwell, who’s also chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party.
“Homelessness is a problem in our veteran community,” said Maxwell, adding he wants to see the city to continue partnerships with the VA to provide recreation opportunities for veterans. “In the meantime, I would encourage us, as a city, to look at land where we could build another 9-hole facility as well as another Sports*Com or Patterson Park type facility.”
Course appeals to seniors, youth as well
The golfers today who are disappointed the city is closing course include Richard Woods of Murfreesboro.
“It’s terrible. It’s a travesty for the elderly,” said Woods, who plays twice a week at the VA Golf Course.
Woods said he plays with a group of guys who are retired on limited Social Security incomes and can’t afford to play at other courses.
“This is the perfect place for all of them to come out here including myself, and play and get some exercise and walk the course and have a communion amongst themselves,” Woods said.
The VA also appeals to younger golfers such as 18-year-old Triston Varnadore of Murfreesboro.
“It’s a great price,” said Varnadore, who plays at the course every day after working at his warehouse job in Lebanon. He’s disappointed the course will be closing at the end of December.
“It’s awful,” Varnadore said. “I love this course.”
Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.
