I believe there is enough hysterical sentiment ( Mindless) in OP that a referendum would lead to the unfortunate demise of the Robert Trent Jones golf course. True a great deal of HA dollars has been spent on the golf course over the past several years. The disgruntled property owners should be reminded that much of the money used for the golf course went to relieving flooding on adjacent properties. It achieved a dual benefit!

Why, because prior B of D chose to allow many of the amenities to deteriorate to keep assessments low. The result is pay now or pay later. They chose later. Suppose the roads were allowed to languish as the amenities were allowed to languish, we could turn the roads into park land. That makes a lot of sense, right.

When we first purchased property in OP about 11 years ago, our assessment was about $450. It is now about $910 but many improvements have been made. Many of the naysayers on the forum are long time property owners. They benefitted in previous years with low assessments, now the bill is due. Does anyone believe assessments would  really go down significantly, rest assured they won't but in the mean time OP property owners would lose their most valuable asset. Pennywise, pound foolish is where this is headed.

The golf operation has been mismanaged in multiple ways over the years especially the last 10 years. I have been a golf member most of the past 10 years. So I pay a homeowner assessment plus a golf membership. When other OP property owners in OP play at River run, Ocean City, Bay Club, Eagles Landing, Ocean Resorts and other courses we are treated better than at our home course. Explain that to me.  I've asked at the pro shop in OP why as a golf member and a property owner why I am treated so poorly? No answer. Why were none of the suggestions made by the highly paid professional advisors hired by the B of D followed?

Obviously there is a lot more competition now than there was in the past. Is that a reason to throw in the towel?

OP doesn't owe anything on the golf that I know of except disbursement. If River Run can offer a golf round for two paying meals, why can't OP counter that eg with a free round with cart fee? If Eagles Landing, River Run and others can let small groups play for $25 during the off season, why can't OP? We have a diverse group of property owners, so when decisions are made, this has to be taken into consideration.

I'm not going to try to come up with specific answers because I don't think I'm smart enough. I'm not sure any one person is, that's why we need to bring back the Golf Advisory group. The Golf Council is a social club that probably has too much influence as it is. If the only alternative is to lease the golf course, how would the rights of OP property owners with lots on the course (paid for at a premium) be protected and how would the rights of OP golfers be protected if the course is leased?  I have found very few golfers who don't consider OP course to be the best around.

So friend Marty, why did I address this to you.

You're a good guy, You're on the B of D, you're a long time property owner (correct me when I only get things half correct) and you care.

I have a final suggestion (hard to believe, I guess) in stead of a referendum has anyone tried contacting the past members that have fallin away to find out why. The answers might be surprising?

Thanks,

Frank