Perhaps you're not aware of the national trend for closing failing golf courses??  But there are likely many golfers just "looking the other way", not admitting that national trend of failures. 

There's been many articles discussing this trend, very easy to find on the web. Here's one link previously cited in postings here, with about 150 courses closing, a few yrs back http://ngfdashboard.clubnewsmaker.org/kz4mj71697x5yukyldv4oh?a=5&p=1012685&t=43825

There's plenty of opportunities for savings, by managing it as parkland, vs a golf course. IMO.  True, no goats or sheep. 

. . . the drivel of a vocal minority . . .

You'll perhaps recall the threat of a referendum, which would have a majority of the membership addressing this issue.  

One of the biggest savings could be no longer needing any country club.  And ditching a $3 to $5 million replacement idea. 

Lots of ideas were debated here, a while ago, including a nine hole executive course.   Most folks who previously commented have avoided terms like drivel, or bayonets.

So I'll take that high ground    .

Tom