The golf course at Bodega Harbour is just too wet, and it’s not just the rain.

The effluent holding ponds are full – 80 million gallons worth.

That is how much effluent the District disposed of in 2003. In 2004 that number went up to 84 million and in 2005 to 88 million. The District expects the number of gallons of treated effluent to increase at about the same rate for the next few years.

Until last year, the Bodega Harbour subdivision golf course used about 50 million gallons a year for irrigation.

Last year the Bodega Harbour Homeowners Association hired a new management company to operate the golf course and clubhouse, Kemper Sports of Chicago. When the new management team arrived they determined that the golf course was too wet. Consequently they decided to cut back on irrigation. The golf course irrigation fell from 58 million gallons to 41 million gallons in 2005. The amount of water needed and available for irrigation is also affected by weather – rain, wind, fog.

Bob Harchut, managing director for Kemper Sports, said the golf course is too wet. It is causing a problem for golfers. No one wants a golf ball to sink into mud or to slop around on a muddy course. Carts are restricted to pathways because the wet course cannot handle the traffic. All this is a deterrent to golfers.

“We can’t continue to handle as much water without degrading the product. That creates a downward spiral,” said Harchut. He also emphasizes the golf course as an attraction for visitors. “They come to play but may eat at The Tides or go to the wine shop around the corner.”

Golfers concur a drier course is desirable. Muddy conditions don’t bring golfers back. However, golf play is suffering everywhere. There are not as many golf rounds being played. Contributing factors include the cost of play, distance to golf courses and playing conditions. Golfing as a recreational sport is also subject to cycles. Until about 2000 golf rounds played increased steadily. Since 2001 marked declines are noticeable at golf courses around the country.

Janet Mantua, executive officer of the Utility District, is worried. The ponds are full, the effluent keeps flowing in and isn’t flowing out fast enough. By next rainy season, the ponds will be overflowing. Under current law, the District is prohibited from discharging effluent to waterways.