PORT TOWNSEND – The principal owner of the money-losing Discovery Bay Golf Club assured a crowd of 70 golfers and neighbors Thursday that his land would remain recreational open space, even if it would not remain a golf course.
Mike Asmundson announced in January that he plans to close the public, 18-hole golf course – formerly known as Chevy Chase – at 7401 Cape George Road.
Under pressure from members of the group who met with him at the clubhouse, Asmundson reluctantly said he would consider selling the course to save it – if he found the right buyer.
But, the purchasers would have to have the expertise, commitment and resources to keep the course open.
That, he said, is unlikely.
“No one will continue to invest that kind of money to stay competitive,” Asmundson said.
Asmundson, who lives in Arizona, estimated he has lost about $1.5 million in the last 11 years.
The course needs about that amount in improvements just to be competitive, he said.
A study Asmundson commissioned in 2004 recommended he close the course.
At the time, he said, he thought he could make the course profitable.
But the course has been in the red for 10 of the last 11 years, he said.
Several audience members said they wanted a chance to change his mind.
“You had emotion when you bought this. Let us have some emotion, too,” said Charlie Arthur, a Port Townsend real estate agent and a golfer.
