Como Golf Club members hope course will remain

There are not many straight putts on the rolling, well-bunkered greens of Como Golf Course. Water hazards and elevation changes add to the subtle challenge and beauty of the layout. The course is one of four operated by the city of St. Paul. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

What would the Como Golf Course be used for if it wasn’t a golf course?

That’s the question on the minds of the folks who play golf there.

They’ve heard that the city of St. Paul is talking about repurposing the 18-hole golf course that has been nestled next to the zoo and conservatory since 1929. Parks and Recreation has requested that the city allocate $100,000 in its 2014 budget to study the issue.

Would the space be used for more parking? Would it be park land? Would the zoo or conservatory expand? Would it be pared down to a 9-hole course?

Ask a member of either the men’s or women’s golf clubs at Como if they support repurposing the golf course and the answer is a resounding “No.”

“It would be such a sad thing to do,” said Como Women’s Club member Amy Winkel.

She added, “This is like the Central Park of St. Paul. Why would you ever get rid of this greenery? Once you get rid of a green space, you never get it back.”

Winkel pointed out hikers enjoy the paths in the summer, and in the winter people sled and cross country ski on the course.

“You lose sight of the fact that you’re in the city,” said Como Men’s Golf Club Vice President Tom Dapper. “It’s a nice little oasis. It’s just tucked away.”

The men’s and women’s clubs reserve the course on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 to 10am, but aside from those hours it is open to the public.

WELL-LOVED COURSE

Rick Zieman lives just over the hill from the golf course, and has golfed at Como since 1974. He thinks that the zoo, conservatory and golf course function well together. “You take any of that away and you’ve wasted the whole area,” said Zieman.

He appreciates seeing seals and flamingos while he golfs, and added that 80% of the time he is at Como golfing he sees foxes. “You feel like you’re in a jungle sometimes,” Zieman said.

“I never get tired of playing here,” said Ruthie Pallow, a member of the women’s club, which will be celebrating its 80th anniversary next year.

“I love the course,” said Tom Davis, who golfs at Como with his son, Ben. “It’s so convenient.” He currently drives in from Shoreview to play at Como, but said he wouldn’t continue to do so if it were pared down to a 9-hole course.

Mike McDonald is a member at the University of Minnesota golf course nearby, but golfs more frequently at the Como course. “Como has much more character,” McDonald explained.

“Como Golf Course gives people a chance to play golf with the people in their community,” observed Como Ranger Dan John. “St. Paul is an old town and this is an old course with all the amenities you need.”

He added, “It’s a great place to learn to play golf. It’s a tough course. If you can play here, you can play anywhere.”

John doesn’t think that the city has solicited enough input from people who play golf at the course and should involve them more before any decisions are made.

THE ISSUES

Why is the city considering a repurpose of the Como Golf Course? As presented at public meeting earlier this year, golf course use is dropping and the city doesn’t feel it can operate four courses any longer.

Golf club members think that problem could be solved by lowering the prices at Como. “If the city reduced the price to be competitive with outside courses, people wouldn’t drive 20 miles,” said Zieman.

Golf club members also suggest that more marketing be done, particularly early in the season. Zieman pointed out that recently a Groupon enticed people to Como, but he doesn’t think it was as valuable as it could have been because there are only a few weeks left in the season.

A letter being distributed by Como Golf Club members suggests that the decline is cyclical and may soon improve.

According to the letter: “During these days we do dispute Como’s implied lack of viability and are disappointed by lack of effort on the part of Parks & Recreation to make concerted efforts to market and distinguish Como’s advantages from other courses in the metropolitan area.

“Assurances were made in spring 2012 to representatives of both this club, and those from Highland and Phalen, for implementation of innovative promotional efforts toward generating increased course use. From inquiry and observation, such actions did not occur in any notable way. We wish to see genuine efforts made in this regard before any firm decision is made on Como’s fate.”

Como golfers also question whether the debt the city owes for renovating Highland National several years ago is making Como’s financials look worse than they really are.

“We pretty much break even,” pointed out Dapper.

“I don’t think it is the performance of the club that’s the issue,” said Dapper.

He thinks that the city is getting pressured to provide more parking for the zoo.

Dapper pointed out that it is only fair that whatever else “be suggested as alternatives to the golf course be held to the same standard in terms of financial performance.”

COME ON OUT

In an effort to save the course, both the men’s and women’s golf clubs at Como are attending city and district meetings to encourage city representatives to keep the golf course as it is now. District 6 has expressed its support.

The clubs are also working to address any rumors floating around. Dapper pointed out that no decision on the golf course had been made by the city.

“We encourage people to come out here, whether to play golf or have a pop, pizza or sandwich. Sit on the deck and relax,” said Dapper.