Hyland Greens looks to be out of the rough and back onto the fairway.
The money-losing par-3 golf course, on 63 prime acres in west Bloomington, was in danger of being sold for development. But a community task force is recommending that the city keep the course open, calling it "a gem in the heart of Bloomington" and an important public asset.
"The task force recognizes that if Hyland Greens is shut down, the likelihood of having a similar course developed in the city of Bloomington is slim," according to a report presented this week to the Bloomington City Council.
"The task force really wanted to preserve this amenity for the citizens of Bloomington," said Diann Kirby, the city's director of community services.
"The task force really worked hard and did a terrific job with the information they had and the research they conducted."
The final decision on the course's future will rest with the City Council, which has not yet scheduled a vote on the recommendations.
The group offered several ideas for improving the course's financial performance. It suggested hiring a golf management consultant to make recommendations, and it said the city should consider selling roughly 10 empty acres on Normandale Boulevard once used as a driving range. Money from a sale could be used for capital improvements at the city's two public courses — Hyland Greens and Dwan — and in the city's park system.
The strong recommendation is arguably surprising, given that golf has been on a steady decline over the past decade. Nationally, about 5 million people have stopped playing golf since 2003, according to the U.S. Golf Association.
