Ralliers decry proposed closure of Salt Lake City's Glendale Golf Course - Salt Lake Tribune

Holladay resident Tim Branigan organized the Saturday event because, he said, it's important to the greater community.

"It really isn't about golf so much as it is about where a cross-section of Utahns come to play and be safe," he said.

West Jordan resident Craig Madsen held a sign that said, "Becker And Council Members Hate Golfers."

"We're here to save this golf course from the short-sighted politicians," he said. "They're closing one-third of the city's golf courses. It's ridiculous."

Both Glendale and the Par 3 in Rose Park will remain as open space. The future of Wingpointe is in the hands of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports.

Cindy Collins grew up in Glendale and plays the links often, even though she now lives in Taylorsville. The course, she said, is nothing short of "wonderful."

"The thought that they would turn this into a park makes me cringe," she said.

Cottonwood Heights residents Scott and Kathy Czaja have been playing Glendale for 30 years,.

"We're against it closing," Kathy Czaja said, "especially because it makes money."

Scott Czaja agreed that closing the course makes no economic sense. "If this were fiscally responsible, they would have community support," he said.

Former City Councilman Van Turner, who is again seeking the District 2 seat that encompasses the Glendale links, said one of the reasons he is running for election is to save the golf course.

Closing Glendale "is a disaster if you look at it from a business perspective," he said. "This golf course brings people to the community where they spend their money at restaurants and shops."

Mayoral hopefuls Jackie Biskupski, George Chapman and Dave Robinson also were on hand to criticize Becker for the proposed closure.

Biskupski said the administration has not allowed the golf system to be more successful. "Every initiative the [golf fund] board took to the council and the mayor has been shut down," she said. "Pitting golf against open space is not necessary and it's driving a wedge into the community."