Calling all ideas for real improvements
at Sligo Golf Course

At the Town Hall Meeting 1/30/08, Councilmember Valerie Ervin suggested that we, as a community, come up with ideas for Sligo Creek Golf Course that might help replace the drastic $5.5 Million development of our parkland into a mini-golf complex and 72-stall lighted driving range open until 10pm or later.

To get the discussion going about suggestions for real improvements to Sligo, here are a number of ideas that we've heard so far. The suggestions are divided into several groupings: Increase Revenues (without building mini-golf or driving range), Reduce Costs, Work with nearby Communities, Support First Tee Montgomery.

We would like to compile a list of suggestions for each of these groups (or new categories, if you have an idea that doesn't seem to fit one of these), then forward them as a collection to Councilmember Ervin. If you would like to add to this list of suggestions (either in one of these four categories, or a new category if you have an idea that doesn't seem to fit one of these), please email Sligo Friends president. Members of our multi-community ad hoc committee will gather the ideas, package them into a letter for Councilmember Ervin and keep our respective communities notified of our progress. Thanks for your suggestions!

Increase revenues

  • increase the fee to play by one or two dollars per round (new revenue = $26K-$52K/year)
  • install golf course directional signage on beltway and at key intersections (the little international symbol for golf signs, seen on highways all over the world, not a billboard)
  • improve MontgomeryCountyGolf web page for SCGC to sound more appealing
  • promote unique features of SCGC in advertising
    • oldest municipal course in Montgomery County
    • quick nine-holes available inside the Beltway
    • unique conservation-minded course
    • links-style course (if converted to this style)
  • include Sligo on the list of MC Recreation Department locations for recreational/instructional classes
    • golf instructional classes
    • winter (seasonal) nature walks
    • local history (park, golf course, all golf courses, neighborhoods around golf courses, ...)
  • install computer/video golf analysis system for use by First Tee, classes, and golf pro for swing analysis and improvements
  • lease pro shop and/or video equipment space out to local business(es)
  • investigate using the top floor of the Colesville Road/Spring Street Parking Garage (currrently unusable for parking) to MCRA or Parks/Recreation Department to develop a mini-golf course in the Silver Spring Central Business District, a much more suitable environment for commercial amusements
  • highlight and promote SCGC as an example of how to implement sustainable changes at an existing golf course (increased rounds due to player curiosity)
  • improve snack bar area, especially outdoor seating area, to draw in walkers, cyclists, soccer players and others who use the nearby Park
  • develop online sales capability for tee times and pro shop merchandise

Decrease costs

  • convert existing large expanses of fairways to links-style fairways with smaller landing zones (reduce maintenance, irrigation, and pesticides use)
  • use zoysia and other drought-resistant turf grasses in fairways (less water, pesticides)
  • increase plantings of native drought-resistant plants in non-play areas and around clubhouse (less water, pesticides and maintenance)
  • as older trees die, replace them with local native, drought-resistant species, e.g., as white pines die, replace with Eastern Red Cedars or other tree species in consultation with local experts; (mitigate forest loss, less water)
  • renovate clubhouse to be fully solar-powered (reduce electric utility bill, heating bills, water heating bills)
  • feed excess solar power generated on-site back into power grid (potential year-round source, $ income unknown)
  • install solar panels on bench shelters and in non-play areas near clubhouse, feed energy back into grid
  • renovate clubhouse with a green roof (reduce heating and cooling costs, mitigate water runoff)
  • replace impermeable surfaces (parking lot, snackbar area, cart paths) with permeable concrete and/or pavers (mitigate water runoff)
  • design and install rain gardens at multiple places around the golf course (mitigate water runoff, reduce pesticides use)

First Tee, Inc. (a youth-oriented group)

  • use first hole fairway to allow First Tee participants to see their full-swing results
    • give golfers option to contribute to First Tee or to pay slightly reduced fee for 8-hole round (e.g., $2 less for round or full round fee w/ $2 contribution)
  • develop/improve golf mentoring program to pair experienced golfers with First Tee golfers
  • develop an environmental mentoring program to pair local environmental experts with First Tee participants as part of the First Tee program
  • develop an eco-business mentoring program to pair local business owners who are using 'green business' concepts with First Tee participants

Involve other communities

  • Identify ways to highlight environmental importance of non-play areas near holes 1-2-3 and woods near Dallas Avenue/SC Parkway
  • consider redesigning space near the clubhouse/outdoor snack bar to enable 'Arts in the Park' activities, such as outdoor performances by local musicians or plays on a limited basis
  • identify projects to partner with Northwood High School Technology and Environmental Science Academy regarding long-term sustainable practices
  • identify projects to partner with Montgomery Blair High School Communication Arts Program to document the social and environmental history of Sligo Creek Park
  • Sponsor bird houses and feeding stations around the course
    • partner with local environmental groups (e.g., FOSC/Sierra Club/Audubon Naturalist Society/Neighbors of Northwest Branch)
    • partner with locally-owned businesses (e.g, Wheaton Wild Bird Center)
  • partner with Discovery Channel's new Planet Green Channel ('Saving the Earth Inside the Office: Discovery Turns Its Spotlight Inward', Washington Post Business section, 2/25/08) to make Sligo a demonstration place for green golf course management practices, clubhouse design, etc.