PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Silver Spruce Golf Course on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, will halt operations this winter and permanently close on Jan. 1, 2022, due to sustained non-appropriated fund losses over the past 10 years.
The golf course’s deficits have had a detrimental effect on the overall resources we have to provide services to Airmen and Guardians. The mission of the morale and welfare program is to offer diverse opportunities for service members and their families while ensuring financial sustainability.
With revenue down, expenses growing, memberships decreasing and aged equipment overdue for recapitalization, the golf course poses a problem for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund. With other programs not earning the same revenue due to COVID-19, the MWRF is no longer able to sustain the golf course losses and doing so would severely limit what can be reinvested back into programs for our Guardians, Airmen, their families, as well as the Peterson-Schriever Garrison community.
The 21st Force Support Squadron has plans to turn the pro shop and Greenside Grill into an event/conference center while keeping dining operations going. This will provide for more Guardian and Airmen programs and community events. The driving range will remain open under Outdoor Recreation and be available for use.
The land the golf course occupies is leased from the City of Colorado Springs. Base leadership will be working with the city to determine the best use of the space to mutually benefit the mission, base residents and the local community.
Several other options are being reviewed to provide new opportunities to transform the golf course into a venue with broader recreation activities suitable for our base demographics. Installation leadership wants to provide programs and facilities that our Guardians, Airmen and their families need in support of resiliency, decompression and regeneration that enhances recreation and quality of life.
Although the Silver Spruce Golf Course may be closing, there are currently several golf courses in the Colorado Springs area that offer reduced rates for military members. Additionally, both Fort Carson and the United States Air Force Academy offer golf courses designed for the military community.
“We encourage our guests to utilize these extensive options for golf as we redesign our space into something new,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Heath McKim, 21st Force Support Squadron commander.