Volunteers are needed at Banks Lake Golf Course

The call went out from the three Port District 7 commissioners who have been managing the course, with each commissioner putting in from 30-50 hours a week this season.

“We can’t keep up this pace the entire season,” Commissioner Jerry Sands stated last Thursday night as commissioners conducted their monthly meeting at the airport.

Port District 7 also administers the airport and various properties near the golf course.

In an effort to keep the golf course open, commissioners are trying to maintain the 18-hole golf course with only one paid employee, a person doing general mowing.

Commissioners are James Keene, president, Sands and Gary Haag. All are elected.

In years past, the clubhouse manager was a paid position.

Commissioners reported Thursday evening that the golf course is running in the black. The course has over 70 members.

Volunteers currently are in charge of irrigation, some mowing, maintenance of the clubhouse and other jobs.

Haag said that he has heard several comments on how nice the course is playing and the conditions of both the fairways and greens. Haag is in charge of keeping the greens mowed.

Volunteers are needed for some clubhouse duties, bartending, and general duties.

Commissioners will get some relief in June when the Colville Tribal TANF program kicks in.

The tribes will pay for two to three young people to help out at the golf course.

Sands said that commissioners will outline duties for the TANF employees and allow them some time at the end of their shifts to play a little golf and get acquainted with the course.

Volunteers can apply to help at the golf course office or contact one of the three commissioners.