The task force needs to look at its golf operation with clear eyes. Unfortunately, the available options probably do not include selling the South Mountain course in Draper. The outstanding debt, around $12.5 million, is twice what the course is worth, by one rough estimate. The bonds that financed it run for another 10 years and are intertwined with others the county issued. The property cannot be sold for redevelopment as something else because open-space easements prevent that.

The course runs an operational deficit because it is not popular enough with golfers to generate the revenues necessary to pay the bills, let alone service the debt.

That seems to reduce the task force's options to looking at ways to improve efficiency of operations. Maybe there are major flaws in the current business plan. Perhaps greens fees could be adjusted, marketing improved, staffing re-evaluated.

The task force will not limit itself to South Mountain. The county's entire golf program, which includes six courses, will be examined.

It has been suggested, for example, that the Meadowbrook course could be reconfigured to free up 60 of its 150 acres for residential development. If the county could realize a net gain of $5-6 million from such a deal, it could, perhaps, retire some of the debt on South Mountain. Ideally, the Meadowbrook course would be improved in the bargain.

Though local governments provide reasonably priced public recreation and open space through golf courses, general county tax revenues should not subsidize golf operations to the tune of $2 million a year. Those funds are needed elsewhere. Parks, trails and soccer fields come to mind.

Besides, public golf courses traditionally have paid their own way. That was the case in Salt Lake County before the South Mountain debacle.

It would be nice if the county could take a mulligan on that purchase, but it appears that county officials will have to play this one where it lies. Still, creative shot-making can sometimes salvage a hole.