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Future of municipal golf in many cities uncertain I Golf Advisor Page 6 of 27 <br />"Muni golf will always have a place, but there will always be challenges," Singer said. "Municipalities <br />have to collect garbage and pay police. If they can't make the case (for golf), they have to strongly <br />consider to live without it. At some places, it is the survival of the fittest. At some places (golf) is just a <br />luxury they can't afford." <br />Investing in muni golf <br />Baylands Golf Links took seven years to be redesigned near San Francisco Bay. (Courtesy Dave <br />Sansom/City of Palo Alto) <br />Palo Alto, Calif., is one city that can afford it. The city at the heart of Silicon Valley spent $12 million on <br />a complete redesign of the old Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course <br />(https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/3917-palo-alto-municipal-golf-course/) adjacent to the airport, <br />the San Francisquito Creek and the San Francisco Bay. The new Baylands Golf Links <br />(https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/38190-baylands-golf-links/) by Forrest Richardson that debuted <br />May 24 (https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/baylands-golf-links-opening-17774.htm) is infinitely <br />more interesting and enjoyable than the original course, although some residents are already <br />concerned about the higher green fees that accompany such a project. <br />Rob De Geus, the deputy city manager, admits it was a "bold" move to spend so much money on golf. <br />He said the city has made a commitment to a diversity of recreation and arts for its residents, and that <br />includes golf. The project also shows the city's commitment to the Baylands Nature Preserve by <br />creating new wetlands and grasslands and a golf facility that requires much less water. Carving out 10 <br />https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/municipal-golf-crossroads-17751.htm 6/29/2018 <br />