It’s not good to play the “I told you so” game, but city officials finally have acknowledged that the idea of a municipal golf course paying its own way is a myth.

Some years ago, a group of avid local golfers campaigned for a golf course at which greens fees would be cheaper than those charged at Alvamar’s public course. Golf also was available at the private Lawrence Country Club and at Alvamar’s private courses, but all three options were too expensive in the eyes of those who wanted a course where they could play nine holes for less than $10.

City officials bought the idea and built Eagle Bend Golf Course on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land near Clinton Lake. Greens fees started off low but, over the years, have climbed. City officials continued to tell the public the course could make it on its own.

Now, however, city officials finally agree the course cannot pay its own way, even though it enjoys many advantages – free land, no property taxes and free water – over privately owned courses.

As an aside, Alvamar owners and developers had planned to build another 18-hole course but had to cancel their plans when the city decided to get into the golf business. The additional Alvamar course would have paid substantial taxes and provided green space around which new homes could be developed. Like other Alvamar projects it would have been a major asset for the city. However, all of this was abandoned because of the city’s determination to have a municipal course.

As is the practice so often in Lawrence, city officials sought the advice of hand-picked consultants to tell them whether a municipal course in Lawrence was a sound investment. The consultants, knowing who was paying their fee, told city officials the course could pay its own way. Those who questioned these findings were put down as being selfish and trying to keep golfing competition out of the city.

Lawrence has a nice Eagle Bend course, but it is a money-loser. City officials now say they want to look upon the course as an “amenity” not a business. “Amenities” are nice, but someone has to pay for them, often making it impossible to pay for other desirable “amenities.”

It is hoped city officials learn something from this: Handsomely paid consultants don’t always have all the right answers. How many times do consultants come up with the solution or answer it was clear the city already favored?