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Keith Miller, executive director of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority, asserts that the excessive management fee of $139,000 a year charged to Sligo Creek Golf Course is "irrelevant" to its profitability because it is a nine-hole golf course with a limited revenue stream and "no real potential for growth."

But that is not the test for turning golf courses back over to the taxpayers under the lease agreement between Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning [Commission] and the revenue authority. The test is that the course has to be determined to be an "adverse" threat to the entire golf course system. The only way the revenue authority could arrive at this solution is by feeding an excessive management fee to the National Golf Foundation for its study. There is no requirement under the lease that every golf course has to be profitable. Two courses, Northwest and Needwood, both generate more than enough revenue to cover the losses at Sligo and Little Bennett.

It is hard for Sligo golfers to understand what they are paying for at Miller's Rockville headquarters. It is certainly not the salary of the marketing director because the revenue authority makes no effort to market Sligo. And the only time Mr. Miller spends on Sligo is his effort to close it. Perhaps the revenue authority should use time sheets to document exactly what his employees do for the courses, as is a common practice for lawyers and accountants.

Woody Brosnan, Silver Spring

The writer is a board member of the Sligo Creek Golf Association.

Sligo Creek a valuable

entry-level golf course

In Jason Tomassini's article ["Sligo Creek course supporters protest management fee," Aug. 26] one thing comes through loud and clear: [Montgomery County Revenue Authority] executive director Keith Miller, the person the County Council has given sole responsibly for managing one of its most popular recreational sport venues, golf, doesn't get it. Miller: "It's a limited revenue stream with a relatively high expense stream. There's no real potential for growth."

The County Council should be worried. They've entrusted a huge community asset … to someone who fails to appreciate why golf is on the decline countrywide and what's needed to keep it growing.

The basic fact of the sport's decline, as studied by the National Golf Foundation: golf must grow younger. Once new players get in the door, they're likely hooked for life. However, with attitudes like those of Mr. Miller, who fails to see the value of a nine-hole "gateway" course, which is affordable and a fun invitation to golf, then, as many are predicting, the sport will wilt.

The County Council can protect its investment and avoid contributing to golf's long-term demise by keeping this nine-hole public course open for at least another year. They should approve [County Executive Ike] Leggett's budget supplement … to keep Sligo open and allow for some time to determine the course's future viability. During this period, the council should also expect Mr. Miller to care for Sligo as he is any of the other courses still under his control.

Ted Power, Silver Spring