GCPUD commissioners opt to retain Crescent Bar golf course

EPHRATA — For now, the golf course will remain on Crescent Bar Island.

In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Grant County PUD commissioners opted to keep the nine-hole links on the island, which the public utility district owns and manages.

The commission, along with PUD staff, have been weighing options outlined in a consultant’s study on maintaining the course, or converting the 46-acre parcel for other uses to serve a wider range of visitors.

According to the consultant’s analysis, there is an annual net loss of $290,000 to the district to maintain and operate the course, which was initially developed in the 1960s by the Port of Quincy when it was leasing the property.

On Tuesday, PUD commissioner Tom Flint reiterated his opposition, saying it was not right for the district to subsidize a golf course that is losing money.

Flint was outvoted by fellow commissioners Nelson Cox, Terry Pyle, Larry Schaapman, and Judy Wilson. During a Feb. 10 workshop, Cox and Schaapman said they favored keeping the course while raising and standardizing greens fees for all golfers, whether visitors or club members.

Popularity of the course has increased significantly over the past decade, according to PUD figures. In 2017, just over 4,400 rounds were played there. By 2021, the number of rounds topped 10,000. Between 2024 and 2025, the number increased by 2,000 rounds — from 14,106 to 16,106. Within those totals, the number of rounds played by Crescent Bar Golf Club members and those played by the general public were: 2024 — 7,351 (public) and 6,755 (members); 2025 — 8,536 (public) and 7,570 (members).

A factor in the discussions has been a pending update in 2027 of the PUD’s Recreation Resource Management Plan, which requires that amenities on district-managed lands serve “the broadest public use.” The RRMP is a component of the district’s federal license to operate its Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project with two dams on the Columbia River.

“Tuesday's vote means staff will not propose changes to the course in the next plan, which is good for 12 years,” said PUD information officer Christine Pratt, adding, “The vote does not mean commissioners couldn't decide at any time to redevelop the course.”

Despite its growing popularity, and a 2025 survey showing it had “notable” public support, the golf course by itself does not meet goals and objectives of the RRMP. And retaining golf will likely require improvements to an aging irrigation system. That cost has been estimated at a minimum of $3.1 million, but commissioners have asked PUD stuff for a more detailed assessment on whether complete replacement of the irrigation system is needed, or just repairs to keep it functioning.

Even with that possible price tag, retaining golf on the island is considered to have the lowest long-term cost to the district, according to the consultant’s analysis of other options for the property.

Alternatives that were studied included adding more RV camping spaces along with day-use and walk-in/group-use camp sites, developing mini-golf or disk golf facilities, or expanding natural areas and trails. But estimated costs could range from $12.5 million to $28.4 million to implement those amenity options.

The comprehensive study makes a number of comparisons regarding net operating income, net “present value,” and capital outlay costs between the various alternatives. The comparisons also address overall public benefit, maintenance needs, and environmental and sustainability factors.

For two decades, as part of its federal licensing agreement, the utility district has been involved in an extensive re-management of its shorelines properties to expand public access, facilities and recreation. Those efforts have included investing $35 million in island and off-island improvements to the Crescent Bar Recreation Area, which is a popular destination for visitors from across the state.