What's with public universities keeping their golf clubs private?

We’re thick into the middle of college football season and TravelGolf.com’s On Campus series, where we highlight a different big game and that town’s golf every week.

But I’m noticing an alarming trend: many public university’s golf clubs are closed to the public.

The University of Michigan, University of Florida and University of Texas are all campuses we’ve highlighted through this series. All three are similar in that their golf clubs are not open to the general public, who can only get on if they are playing with a member or university affiliate.

Next week, I’ll post my story on Columbus and Ohio State, as they will host the undefeated Nittany Lions (we can chalk up PSU’s win over hapless Michigan this Saturday already). OSU has a 36-hole golf club with an Alister Mackenzie-designed (and Jack Nicklaus-renovated) Scarlet Course that is exceptional - and only open to University affiliates.

But consider one of many Buckeye fans who didn’t go to OSU. They bleed Scarlet and Gray, and they’re shut out just like an enemy Ann Arbor-born golfer like myself.

Personally, my Alma Mater is Indiana University. It’s golf course is open to the public. It’s also a hunk of junk (at least compared to other Big Ten courses like Forest Akers West at MSU and U of M’s course. Even Eastern Michigan’s Eagle Crest is solid comparatively). I met Indiana native Pete Dye last month in French Lick, who built Purdue’s new golf course for $1. I asked if he’d be willing to redo my IU course and he said absolutely, but the University hasn’t inquired.

DID ANY TRUSTEES IN BLOOMINGTON HEAR THAT?!?!? PETE DYE WILL BUILD YOU A GOLF COURSE FOR $1!!!!

Sorry. Anyways…

Am I the only one who thinks university courses should be open to all state residents or at the very least city residents? These universities reap huge tax breaks at the expense of the city and state. Many of these courses also sit on prime city acreage. At the very least, they should offer public access blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’re not asking you to convert to a muni. Be like a high-end resort that occasionally allows non-guests to play.

It’s actually been my longstanding belief that all golf clubs should offer at least a block of tee times each week to the public, much like most traditional clubs in the U.K. Although I don’t think Augusta National should be court-ordered to allow women members, they should offer four public tee times each week for $100 a person, conducted by lottery. Imagine the P.R. buzz.

But these private university courses are practically as hard to get on as Augusta and that’s not right. They take up public acreage and use your taxes. I’m sure it’s perfectly legal for them to do it. Then again, it was legal for A.I.G. executives to take a $400,000 spa day on our dime too.

The little guy, namely Joe Public Golfer, is getting hosed here. It’s a shame this pertinent topic was not breached at the Obama-McCain town hall debate.