ASHEVILLE (N.C.) — Tree removal has begun at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course. The number of trees on the chopping board is down from 157 and 111 due to action by local environmentalists. Many neighbors protested the removals of white pine, oak and cherry trees, some of which can be centuries old.
Nancy Casey (a Beverly Hills resident of 15 years and an environmentalist) was one of those who urged the city not to do so.
Chris Corl, the director of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities in the city, presented the initial plan for removing 157 trees at the December Urban Forestry Commission meeting. This staff action is needed to make the course more playable and to preserve existing trees.
This was already a decrease in the initial U.S. Golf Association tree evaluation and report suggested that 500 trees could be removed.
Previous coverage 157 trees suggested for removal at Asheville Municipal Golf Course
Environmentalists weigh-in
Corl invited a third Tree Risk Assessment Qualification-certified arborist to review the course. He walked the 18-holes with several community groups including MountainTrue, an environmental non-profit in Western North Carolina, and Casey. Corl also referred to Mark Foster as a city arborist who reviewed the course with a “tighter scope.”
These examinations revealed that some trees were removed completely, others were added, and some were set for pruning only. This list grew to 83, an increase from 38.
Corl stated, “I like the idea that we found a good middle ground between saving as much trees as possible, and still moving forward to support the course as it was intended, as a course of golf.”
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Commonwealth Golf Partners II-Asheville LLC was the new operator of the course and bid for the tree removal and pruning project. They chose Green Outdoors Landscaping, based in Asheville, to handle the $143,151 contract.
Donald Ross, a Hall of Fame golf architect, designed the sprawling course that covers 122 acres in Beverly Hills’ East Asheville neighborhood. It opened for play in 1927. This is the home of the longest-running professional Black-owned and managed tournament in the United States.
A Feb. 4 email update stated that tree removal, thinning, and replacement started early in February. Corl expects that it will take another two to three weeks.
He said that standing on the greens you can already see the sky changing — which theoretically will help other elements of the court, such as grass growth and line-of-sight for players. The trees have an impact on drainage, shading, water access, and shading.
You can find more information about trees that are scheduled to be removed here.
Casey expressed gratitude for the reduction of trees that were being removed.
Chris Corl, Asheville’s director for Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities, stands above the sinkhole formed at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course in October 2022. (Photo: Angela Wilhelm/Asheville Citizen Times)
She said, “I wish we could have done more but I’m glad that the city worked with us to reach… more compromise.” “These trees are precious city property and I would hate to see them go.”
Josh Kelly, MountainTrue’s public lands field biologist, shared a similar message. He said that between his first visit to the course, and the final plan, there were “a lot of improvements.” He also noted that he was pleased with many of the city’s changes.
Kelly stated that Kelly believes the city listened to them and that it was an iterative process that resulted in the best trees remaining on the course.
He mentioned that the factors that caused removal were largely or completely dead crowns, fungal disease and hazardous leaning, as well as damage to the course.
He called the “interesting old woodland lot” and estimated that some trees were over 200 years old.
Kelly stated, “It’s an extremely historical course. I do believe a lot of trees add historical value the course.” Kelly said, “A cultural and natural heritage.”
Kelly took a tour of this course and used an increment borer on one of the white oaks of medium size to take a sample of wood tissue. He estimated that it was 120 years old.
“It was Josh’s expertise that really helped to… turn the tide. Casey stated that going tree to tree was the right thing. “I thought that this was a great example of community coming together to find a better compromise.
Corl stated that the project will not result in any net loss of long-term tree canopy and will replant both on and off-property to comply with city ordinances.
Pope Golf responds to Asheville lawsuit for $340K in unpaid fees
After a decade under Pope Golf, Commonwealth Golf assumed control of the course on October 1. It was granted a seven-year license by the city and management agreement.
The city sued Pope in October for alleged negligence, destruction of property, and $340 830 in unpaid lease payments.
Buncombe County Superior court filed the complaint Oct. 4. This was three months after Keith Pope, CEO, of Pope Golf, sent a letter to the city attorney advising that it intended to commence litigation regarding past due lease payments. Some of these have been accruing since 2016.
According to the city, the course has experienced “steadily degrading” conditions over the past several years. At its core are significant stormwater drainage problems, which Pope stated in September was the cause of not only the course conditions, but also his termination lease payments.
Pope Golf filed an answer to the complaint on December. It denies nearly all allegations and asks for dismissal.
Pope reiterates his belief that the issues, including drainage, were under the control of the city and not the control of Pope Golf.
The document states that the Plaintiff was aware of Pope Asheville’s position on the same for over three years before the filing of the suit. However, the Plaintiff failed to take the necessary action to remedy or mitigate such issues.
Brad Branham, City Attorney, told Citizen Times February 16 that both the city’s response and its complaint have been filed. The parties will now move into discovery phase. They have the option of seeking various forms evidence production.
Branham stated via email that although it hasn’t yet happened, the Court will issue a court order in the near future requiring mediation before proceeding to a trial.
“At the moment, in accordance with the City’s policy not to discuss active litigation, I will say that the City remains committed as stated in the Complaint, and we will continue through the litigation process according to the Court’s directions.”
Other news about’muni’
Asheville City Council approved a contract amendment of $96,180 with McAdams (a Durham-based civil engineering company) for stormwater design services at its golf course. McAdams performed the first stormwater assessment at the course in 2019. This brings its total contract amount to $123,480. Corl stated that design work would likely take between 60 and 90 days before the project can be put out for bid. He doesn’t anticipate stormwater work starting until the end of the summer/early autumn.
The Donald Ross Society Foundation awarded $30,000 to the city in December for the development of a masterplan with Kris Spence, a golf architect. It will serve as a guideline for future improvements and be referenced by the stormwater team. Corl stated that it will be complete by March 1.
— There are still efforts to create a Friends of the Muni group that would raise funds for the rehabilitation of the course and offer volunteer and program opportunities. Corl stated that the group is progressing with formal formation and is currently preparing to become a 501c3 non-profit.
The week of February 13th will see the start of work in the clubhouse. This includes painting, flooring and fixtures in the bathrooms. The order has been placed for updated furniture, which will be installed when it arrives. It is expected that the work will be completed in March or April 2023.
Sarah Honosky, the Asheville Citizen Times’ reporter on city government, is part of USA TODAY Network. News Tips Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Subscribe to Citizen Times to support this kind of journalism.
