Tally Mountain Golf Course: A City-Run Business and City Asset

When you think about a golf course, you might picture green fairways, weekends with friends, and a place to enjoy the outdoors. But here in Tallapoosa, Tally Mountain Golf Course isn’t just a recreational space — it’s a city-run business and one of our most valuable city assets.

That means every dollar that goes in or out of the course is our dollar. The memberships, green fees, cart rentals, and pro shop sales aren’t just transactions — they’re revenue meant to support operations and, when managed responsibly, ease the tax burden on homeowners.

The truth is simple: if we’re going to run a business as a city, it needs to be run well.

Tally Mountain, A City Asset Deserving Attention

Like our parks, streets, and downtown, the golf course is an asset that belongs to the people of Tallapoosa. And just like those other assets, it deserves real attention from the Mayor and City Council.

Unfortunately, my belief is that the golf course has been treated like too many of our other city assets — overlooked until something breaks.

The only reason Tally Mountain remains in great shape today is not because of leadership at City Hall, but because of the dedication of Boyd Coggins and Kassidy Craft. Their hard work, care, and day-to-day attention have kept the course playable, welcoming, and one of the city’s few consistently positive spaces for residents and visitors alike. They’ve built relationships, maintained quality, and created a positive experience for everyone who visits — often in spite of limited support from city leadership.

Their commitment is proof of what can happen when local people care deeply about the success of Tallapoosa.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Over the past four years, the Golf Fund has consistently operated at a loss. Budgets show that while revenue has climbed from roughly $336,750 in FY2020 to $649,785 in FY2023, expenses still outpace income — leaving taxpayers to cover the shortfall year after year.

That means Tallapoosa families are subsidizing the operations of the golf course, whether they play golf or not. Hardworking residents — many of whom don’t have the luxury of time or income to enjoy a round — are carrying the weight of an underperforming city asset.

It’s not fair to expect working families to cover the costs of an amenity they can’t use. If we’re going to operate a golf course, it should be managed like a business — one that benefits everyone, not just a few.

Leadership Makes the Difference

This is the story of the current mayor, Brett Jones. His experience lies in maintaining city assets — keeping things running, patching what’s broken, and holding the line. That’s valuable, but it’s not enough.

I not only have the experience to maintain assets but also to grow them into profitable, self-sustaining operations. With over 26 years in property and asset management, I’ve turned underperforming properties into success stories by applying vision, accountability, and results. That’s the approach Tally Mountain needs.

Solutions to Fix the Issue

Tally Mountain Golf Course has enormous potential — it just needs proactive leadership to unlock it. Here’s how we do it:

1. Aggressive Marketing and Outreach

• Target regional players: Attract golfers from neighboring cities with focused digital marketing and seasonal promotions.

• Host tournaments and charity events: Bring in sponsorships, tourism, and community engagement while generating new revenue streams.

2. Tiered Membership Programs

• Offer discounted rates for seniors, students, or local businesses.

• Introduce family passes and group packages to make golf more accessible.

• Create a VIP tier with premium benefits like reserved tee times and pro shop discounts.

3. Partnerships with Local Businesses and Schools

• Collaborate with schools and youth programs to teach golf and fill tee times during off-peak hours.

• Corporate partnerships can create new revenue and introduce more residents to the course.

4. Add a Restaurant with Live Entertainment

• Build a family-friendly restaurant offering food, views, and live local entertainment.

• Make it available for private events like reunions, birthdays, and corporate functions to generate steady rental income.

5. Capitalize on Events and Rentals

• Rent the clubhouse for weddings, meetings, and holiday events.

• Create special events such as “Night Golf” or holiday-themed tournaments to engage new audiences.

6. Improve Course Conditions

• Commit to ongoing maintenance and upgrades for greens, fairways, and landscaping.

• Implement sustainability practices like water conservation and eco-friendly upkeep to reduce costs long-term.

7. Financial Transparency

• Publish quarterly financial reports showing revenues, expenses, and ROI to taxpayers.

• Build trust by ensuring residents see exactly how their city-owned business is performing.

  
  

A Better Path Forward

Handled properly, Tally Mountain could be more than just a local amenity — it could be a regional draw, a source of city pride, and a steady contributor to the city’s bottom line.

With the right leadership, we can:

• Market the course to attract outside golfers and tournaments.

• Develop partnerships with schools, veterans’ groups, and local businesses.

• Turn the Golf Fund into a revenue generator, not a liability.

• Provide transparent financial reports so residents can see real results.

  
  

Final Thought

The people of Tallapoosa deserve better than a city-owned business that quietly drains taxpayer dollars. Tally Mountain Golf Course should be a success story.

For now, it’s the dedication of people like Boyd Coggins and Kassidy Craft that keeps it thriving. With real leadership, we can turn that dedication into growth, revenue, and pride for our entire community.

Joe Glass

Candidate for Mayor of Tallapoosa

The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth