SPAR Golf Course Gets State Funding
By: Heidi York
Updated: September 21, 2009
In July, Shreveport City Councilman, Joe Shyne told NBC 6, two of the city's three golf courses were costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to operate. He said the Huntington and Jerry Tim Brooks courses could face the chopping block in the city’s next budget.
"If it’s not profitable, if it’s in my backyard, we have to make tough decisions. It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel," explained Shyne about the possible closures.
Now the state is breathing new life into the Jerry Tim Brooks course. The State Bond Commission is giving SPAR $100,000 to benefit the First Tee program, which teaches young golfers the game and life lessons.
"We hope to use that money to do some amenity upgrades; maybe better practice facilities for the young people, maybe a driving range,” said Shelly Ragle, Director of Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation.
Ragle hopes the improvements will draw more golfers to the course and improve the bottom line.
"We believe anytime we can make our facilities better that maybe they'll get more use," she added.
Elliott Rollins, Jr. plays the Jerry Tim Brooks course almost everyday. He got his start on the green with the First Tee program.
"They teach life skills, teach you how to play this great game of golf, teach you skills that you need to know in life. Even if you don't go to the pros, you'll still learn valuable lessons for your life," said Rollins.
He thinks the upgrades will make the course a better place to golf and bring in more young golfers to learn the game that's taught him so much.
"They really need work done out here, that way we can get more young people out here playing the game," he added.
The Chief Manager of state building and construction for the Jindal administration says the Jerry Tim Brooks course won't get the funds if it closes. City Council hasn’t made any decisions about the Jerry Tim Brooks course or the Huntington course. Cuts could be made when they take up the city's next budget. For now both courses remain open.
"If it’s not profitable, if it’s in my backyard, we have to make tough decisions. It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel," explained Shyne about the possible closures.
Now the state is breathing new life into the Jerry Tim Brooks course. The State Bond Commission is giving SPAR $100,000 to benefit the First Tee program, which teaches young golfers the game and life lessons.
"We hope to use that money to do some amenity upgrades; maybe better practice facilities for the young people, maybe a driving range,” said Shelly Ragle, Director of Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation.
Ragle hopes the improvements will draw more golfers to the course and improve the bottom line.
"We believe anytime we can make our facilities better that maybe they'll get more use," she added.
Elliott Rollins, Jr. plays the Jerry Tim Brooks course almost everyday. He got his start on the green with the First Tee program.
"They teach life skills, teach you how to play this great game of golf, teach you skills that you need to know in life. Even if you don't go to the pros, you'll still learn valuable lessons for your life," said Rollins.
He thinks the upgrades will make the course a better place to golf and bring in more young golfers to learn the game that's taught him so much.
"They really need work done out here, that way we can get more young people out here playing the game," he added.
The Chief Manager of state building and construction for the Jindal administration says the Jerry Tim Brooks course won't get the funds if it closes. City Council hasn’t made any decisions about the Jerry Tim Brooks course or the Huntington course. Cuts could be made when they take up the city's next budget. For now both courses remain open.
