Support Majestic Hills: Keep Golf Alive

Arnold Palmer once said “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented”. For those of us who love golf and play it, we know this to be true. Golf is a great game and one that a lot of people get to play and try to solve the riddles of the game, but unfortunately for some the opportunity to play the game locally may have been taken away, or is in danger of being taken away, due to financial stress on golf clubs. Way too many courses are being shut down due to an inability to make ends meet, while some are just barely surviving to stay open and provide golf for their area. Maybe there is a way for all golfers in the Unites States to help avoid some of this from happening. If we join forces maybe we can save two or three courses together.

Majestic Hills Golf Club in Denison, Iowa is a privately owned but public18 hole course that operates completely from green fees and memberships. A business decision was made 20 some years ago to add nine holes, partner with the city of Denison on the construction of a new clubhouse and conference center that left us carrying a big amount of debt. We have managed to make all payments on the debt but cannot reduce it due to having to add equipment purchases to the debt as we just make enough to stay ahead. One bad year or one big capital improvement project needed, and it could just put us in a position of not being able to make payments and then the inevitable foreclosure. We are sure that other courses are in the same situation and could use help.

With the above-mentioned items, we have a wild idea to help our club and possibly others in the USA. Over 26 million golfers play recreationally in the United States and of course the economic impact of these numbers are huge. Golf is a somewhat expensive sport and very expensive to provide the resources for those 26 million to play. Our idea is to use those numbers and band together to save golf courses across the country. We would like golfers across the country to donate money to saving courses. In our case for example, if we could get 60,000 players to donate between $5 and $10 each, we could eliminate our debt and start making the improvements necessary to keep this opportunity to participate available for our members and area. Only $10 from 60,000 players out of 26 million golfers could take care of us and then we could move onto the next one or possibly save two or three a year.

We understand that this is a unique and somewhat crazy asking, but if you think about the request, it certainly fits golfers. We are a unique bunch who like to help others out, are very honorable and will do all we can to keep this great game going strong. $10 is less than a sleeve of balls, one less drink on Hole #19 or one less crazy golf bet. We think that the golf world can pull this off together and we want to be the first one completed so we can set out to help us others. Think of it as a Go Fund Me opportunity for golf. Get on board and help some fellow golfers. We certainly could partner with a financial institution or non-profit if you have concerns about where the money is going. Thanks in advance for your consideration of this request.

If you are interested in helping you can contact me;

Rollie Wiebers – Board President – Majestic Hills Golf Club Denison, Iowa