Modesto takes another swing at its golf courses

Modesto will hold workshops Wednesday and Thursday for the public to learn about the financial and other challenges the city faces with its three golf courses. Members of the public also can weigh in with their suggestions on what the city should do.

The workshops will be held at Modesto Centre Plaza. Wednesday's is in the Arbor Theatre and is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday's will be held in Centre Plaza's lower level and is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Signs will be posted giving directions to the workshops.

Each workshop is expected to cover the entire meeting agenda.

Modesto's three golf courses rely on subsidies from the city's general fund, have a backlog of capital projects, and some question whether the city can afford to operate three courses. These challenges come as golf is becoming less popular nationwide.

The workshops will include a panel that includes city officials, representatives from the companies that operate and maintain the courses, the chairman of the city's golf advisory committee and a member of Mayor Ted Brandvold's 100-day budget review committee.