Off the Table? N.C. tax on golf could still be in play

From all indications, the proposed tax on recreation in North Carolina, which includes golf, has been put on hold. But that doesn't mean it can't be brought up again. When Gov. Bev Perdue suggested a tax hike on recreation to help with the budget shortfall, there were a lot of people in the golfing industry who took notice.

To make up for the $4.6 billion revenue shortfall, the Senate Finance Committee proposed a 7.5 percent state sales tax to recreation and entertainment activities. That would mean an increase in greens fees and private-club membership dues.

That's not good news for courses that are already hurting, as play has decreased in the last several years.

With the proposal, golfers, golf pros and course superintendents have let their feelings been known to the politicians in Raleigh.

"It would hit us very hard," said Mark Hartis, a golf pro at Reynolds Park. "It would be something that if it took hold we would have to lay off employees."

It would be worse at struggling Pine Brook Country Club, according to Tony Johnson, the general manager.

Pine Brook, which has opened up the course for public play during the week in hopes of raising more revenue, probably couldn't afford it, Johnson said.

"I did some math on the tax hike and it would impact us about $60,000 or $70,000, and I'm being honest, it would hurt us big time," Johnson said.

According to a 2007 survey financed by course owners in the state, golf has a $5.3 billion impact on the state annually. There are about 70,000 jobs related to golf, according to the survey, and there are about 550 courses in the state.

Hartis said that if the tax hike went through, many of those courses likely would have to close. Several courses throughout the state already have closed, thanks to the sluggish economy.

Salem Glen Country Club in Clemmons filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May, but the semiprivate course has remained open for play.

Several pros from the Carolinas Section took immediate action and sent out e-mails to inform people about the proposal.

Golf pro Rick Murphy, Del Ratcliffe -- who owns five courses in the Charlotte area and is president of the N.C. Golf Course Owners Association -- and several other members of a group called the Carolina Golf Alliance went to Raleigh earlier this month to meet with lawmakers.

Murphy, a past president of the Carolinas PGA Section, is the owner of Rick Murphy's Carolina Academy in Greensboro.

"We spent all day there talking to senators about what this tax hike would mean," Murphy said. "From what we've heard they say it's not on the fast track, but that could change. We just don't want them to slide it in there, and then it would become a reality."

Murphy said he has been busy with petitions, faxes and e-mails making sure that the politicians are hearing from the masses.

Hartis said he has put up fliers at Reynolds Park to alert golfers of the proposal.

"I had one lady come to me after seeing it and wanted to know how she could help," Hartis said.

The Carolinas Golf Alliance has a Web site called www.golfkeepsusgoing.com where it explains how to spread the word about the proposed tax.

"I know there are a lot of courses in our state that have already closed because of the economy, and if this goes through there will be a lot more that will have to close," Murphy said.

Bryan Park's big tournament

The U.S. Public Links tournament ended over the weekend in Oklahoma, but next year at this time that tournament will be at Bryan Park, just north of Greensboro.

The 85th U.S. Public Links will bring together the best amateur golfers in the country who don't belong to a country club.

Bryan Park's Champions Course recently was voted by Golf World magazine as one of the top courses in the country that has never played host to a U.S. Open. The Public Links will have a 156-player field that will be trimmed after two rounds to the top 64 for match play.

Kyle Kolls, the general manager and director of golf at Bryan Park, said that signing up more than 300 volunteers for tournament week will be the biggest challenge.

"The course is ready and we're looking forward to this national championship," Kolls said.

It's the first time that Bryan Park will hold a USGA championship.

"We were in Oklahoma for four days (last week) and saw how everything was going as far as logistics," Kolls said. "We will be ready when next year rolls around and it's our turn."

Kolls said that for information on volunteer opportunities, call Bryan Park at 375-2200.

Around the green

New Breed Logistics, a company based in High Point, is the new title sponsor for the Wyndham Championship Pro-Am scheduled Aug. 19 at Sedgefield Country Club. "New Breed has been a strong Wyndham Championship supporter for many years," tournament director Mark Brazil said. Also, Flow Automotive Companies in Winston-Salem has signed a multi-year agreement to provide courtesy cars for players and tournament officials….

The state's tourism department has a Web site that's devoted to golf. The site, www.golfvisitnc.com, has information on vacations and destinations as well as other information about the game….

Butch Harmon has been voted the best instructor in a survey conducted by Golf Digest. The results were from a survey of instructors nationwide. Harmon -- who helps out Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and British Open champion Stewart Cink -- edged out Hank Haney, who is Tiger Woods' instructor. The top three instructors for North Carolina were Peggy Kirk Bell of Pine Needles, Dana Rader of Charlotte and Eric Alpenfels of the Pinehurst Golf Academy….

Tanner Owen of High Point beat Will Blalock of Gastonia 3 and 2 in the final of the N.C. Junior Boys' Championship in Asheboro last week. Owen beat Thomas Walsh of High Point in the semifinals and Andrew Kennedy of Winston-Salem in the quarterfinals. Kennedy finished sixth overall, and Walsh was third….

In last week's column, the wrong information was provided to the Journal about Kristi Ingram, a rising junior at Mount Tabor. Ingram has won five Tarheel Youth Golf Association tournaments this summer. Her latest victory was last week at Bryan Park. Also winning TYGA tournaments this summer have been Andrew Kennedy and Victoria Allred….

Woods sat at home this weekend after missing the cut at the British Open. It was his second missed cut in 49 majors since he turned pro. Jack Nicklaus, whom Woods is chasing for most majors in a career, missed three cuts in his first 49 majors as a professional. For his career, Nicklaus, who won 18 majors, played in 157 majors as a pro and missed 34 cuts.

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.