Citing the need to cover Fox Hollow Golf Course's shortfall, the Pleasant Grove City Council approved a payment to the course to carry it through the non-golfing season. The city will pay $61,940. American Fork and Lehi cities will each chip in that same amount. The three cities own the golf course.

"The money is available, but unbudgeted," said Gary Clay, Pleasant Grove finance director. "We knew it was coming." The city helped cover the course's shortfall last year, so it was expected that would happen again. However, Clay said he did not expect the amount to be as high as it was.

"We've been dealing with this issue for several years," said Mayor Michael Daniels. "The city is being asked to fund that deficit without a lot of advance notice. This came last week. That is concerning."

Daniels said that the golf course carried its own weight until six or seven years ago. In recent months, efforts have been made to be able to do that again. "While things have improved, they have not improved to the point that it is self-sustaining," he said.

While Daniels and council members agreed to cover the shortfall, concerns were raised.

"We've made huge efforts within our departments to cut back," Daniels said, noting that the city has been able to make it through the current economic situation without letting employees go. "Then we have to come up with this $60,000 shortfall in operations that is sprung on us."

According to golf course board chairman Neil Miller, there are many factors contributing to the shortfall.

"There's a lot less corporate events because of the economy. We were under construction a couple of years ago so people went to other courses and there is more competition in the valley now," he said.

However, things are looking up for the course, Miller said. "Our shortfall is much less than it has been for years. We've tightened our belts and the future is very, very bright," he said.

The three cities will be paying additional money to the golf course before spring, according to Clay. Each city will pay $14,720 to help the course add lighting to its driving range. "That's a good investment," Clay said.