There was no polite applause from a concerned gallery when a legislative proposal to dramatically change the golf landscape in New York was reintroduced last month.
If adopted, the measure would allow municipalities to assess the value of golf courses based on highest and best use instead of current use.
Experts believe the resulting tax increases would force a significant number of private clubs to close over time.
“We believe a third of the private clubs would close in one to five years,” New York State Club Association president Charles Dorn said. “We believe another third could be in jeopardy depending on how they react.
"We had an independent tax appraiser look at two clubs and he projected taxes would at least quadruple and there could be situations where taxes would increase tenfold," Dorn continued. "There will be some clubs that survive, but I think it would change the face of every club no matter how they deal with this.”
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The impact would extend beyond private golf clubs.
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Dorn estimates this legislation would affect 250 private clubs and 500 public and semi-public courses across the state.
“From a golf perspective, this is a chilling development,” Metropolitan Golf Association executive director Brian Mahoney said. “In the Met area, we’re blessed with great history and courses and this proposal jeopardizes all of it, from the absolute best clubs in the world all the way down.”