Political Golf?

Venerable Greenville politicos Jason Zacher and Chip Felkel combined on a book called Political Golf a few years back. We don’t the following story is what they had in mind.

A group of golf aficionados are lobbying Greenville County Council to prevent the closing of the Donaldson Golf Course later this summer. The hitch is the land the golf course rests on is being looked at for a new test track for the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center.

According to the Greenville News:

The golf course's lease does not have a renewal option, and a test track for the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center will likely be put on its grounds. Councilwoman Liz Seman, whose district includes Augusta Road and Verdae, said there was nothing that could be done about the closure, despite opposition from its golfers.

"Change is hard, and I appreciate the friendships and what has happened but City Council as well as this council has been apprised of what has been going on with SCTAC. The lease is a legally binding document and we have executed it to the letter of the law," said Seman, who is also the vice chair of SCTAC's board of directors. "I know it may be disappointing to some, but what is going to happen out there is going to be beneficial to everyone in the county."

Seman said there was no other place to put the test track and said the location was "critical" to the test track's development.

Councilmembers Joe Dill, Sid Cates and Xanthene Norris expressed reservations about the closing. No other councilmembers in attendance voiced an opinion on the closing, and councilmembers Willis Meadows and Lottie Gibson were not present.

Yes, there are Council members who think that saving a golf course that brings no money to the county is better than bringing something that will bring economic growth.