The Truth about Military Golf Courses

The question on every American’s lips, especially in recent weeks, is “How is the government going to get out of debt and get back on track with spending?” Between the partial shutdown, debt-ceiling talk, decreasing funds for Social Security, etc., the American people are concerned about what Congress is going to do about money in the foreseeable future.

One of the many issues that have been raised surrounding the financial situation of the government has to do with the seemingly gratuitous spending of valuable taxpayer dollars on military golf courses – thought by some to be a luxury not available to the civilians who supposedly pay for them.

The military operates and maintains around 234 golf courses worldwide – 184 of them located in the continental US, Hawaii and Alaska.  But where does the money come from?  Are they funded by civilian taxpayers or are the individual golf courses self-supported?

An article by Christopher P. Ryan, a freelance writer based in the mid-Atlantic, talks about the draining of millions of dollars from the U.S. budget to pay for the maintenance of these military golf courses.  “Though parts of the Department of Defense’s budget are clearly essential to national security,” Ryan states in his article, “many other defense expenditures are far from necessary — including the reported 234 golf courses that the Department of Defense maintains around the world, at a cost that is undisclosed.” Agreeing to stop supporting the military’s golf courses should be an easy first spending cut for [President] Obama and [House Speaker] Boehner.”

Ryan also references a Salon.com article written by Laura Gottesdiener titled “7 Absurd Ways the Military Wastes Taxpayer Dollars,” number five being “Military Golf.”

Unfortunately the actual facts tell a different story!  In 1984, all military golf courses were removed from appropriated funds from the government budget.  After that, all military golf courses must be self-supporting and all Army golf courses are operated by MWR (morale, welfare and recreation).  In some cases, the courses may be supplemented with non-appropriated funds.  Non-appropriated funds are monies generated within the services through sales at the Exchanges, movies, sports usage fees, snack bars, service clubs, etc.  It is money that is not appropriated by the Congress or the pentagon’s budgets.  These courses are supported by Army Regulation 215-1.  This regulation governs: course operation, advertising, access, pricing and usage of non-appropriated funds.  For more information please contact the Director of Golf at the military golf course near you or contact the Golf Program Manager, US Army IMCOM G9. 2455 Reynolds Rd. Bldg #2266, 3^rd. Fl. Fort Sam Houston, TX. 78234-1222   For an example: in June 2013, the Pelican Point Golf Course at Tyndall AFB FL. had to close because it wasn’t self-supporting.

The military golf courses are not free.  Everyone, military or civilian, pays a green fee, cart rental, range balls and other extras.  The green fee rate is determined by the serviceman’s rank.  The Sr. enlisted pays more than the Jr. enlisted; the Jr. Officer pays more than the Sr. enlisted and the Sr. officers pay more than the Jr. Officers.  The more money you make, the more you pay.

Civilian access.  The majority of military golf courses are open in one way or another to the public; there are different types of access.  The state of Arizona has three military bases with golf courses, Luke AFB, David-Monthan AFB and Fort Huachuca. Each base has specific access requirements and processes.

Luke Air Force Base.  The Falcon Dunes Golf Course is located off the military base and is operated by the military.  It is only open to active military, retired military, DOD civilians and their guests.

David-Monthan Air Force Base.  The Ballachard Golf Course is located on the base and is open to the public.  Civilians must stop by the security office and show their driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration. They will then be issued an access pass to the golf course.

Fort Huachuca.  The Mountain View Golf Course is located off the base and is operated by the military and is for the military and is open to the public.

The military golf courses are a benefit to the active service members, retired service members, and DOD civilians and in many cases, open to civilians in the surround areas as well.

 “Gratuitous spending of valuable taxpayer dollars on military golf courses” is a myth seemingly believed by some.  The U.S. budget is not being drained by the maintenance costs of these golf courses.  The majority are self-supported facilities and operated by MWR.  So let’s get the facts straight and find another way for this country to get out of debt.

Please remember to follow the rules on a military golf course.

By:      MSG. John L. Zook (Ret)