YORKTOWN — The Parks and Recreation Commission made a motion March 4 to recommend Yorktown resident Sean Murphy’s proposal to the Town Board to transform the abandoned Shallow Creek Golf Course once again into a functioning sport facility.
Murphy, older brother to Councilman Terrence Murphy, gave a similar presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 4 that he gave to the Town Board at a Feb. 9 work session.

After Yorktown Chamber of Commerce President Joe Visconti suggested transforming the course’s clubhouse into a community building to be used by the chamber, the parks department and the town as a visitors’ center, Murphy asked the Town Board to consider a proposal to use the land once again as a golf course.

Murphy is looking to use the course as a teaching facility for youth leagues, and he hopes that it will attract residents of Jefferson Village looking to create a senior league who live near the course, located on Route 6 in Mohegan Lake.

“The golf course should take a year to get going, so hopefully we’ll have leagues ready to go by spring 2011,” Murphy said. “Between now and then I will be in touch with some people and ensure this project is viable in the town’s eyes.”

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jennifer Fava said Murphy’s presentation to the commission sounded like a positive opportunity for the town, and the purpose of going before the commission was because the parks department had only heard of Murphy’s proposal for the first time at the Feb. 9 work session.

Parks and Recreation maintains the property at the Shallow Creek Golf Course on a different level than if it was open to the public, Fava said.

“His plan would take over the building and maintenance on the property,” Fava said. “The reduction of our maintenance would certainly be helpful, and there would be some time and cost savings there as well.”

The commission asked Murphy to contact Visconti to discuss using the clubhouse for multiple purposes, to serve the needs of the chamber, town and golf leagues.

Murphy said he expects to spend up to $600,000 to renovate the grounds and the clubhouse.

Murphy said he is also seeking a long-term lease from the town, who bought the property from its original owner, Cary Fields, for $1 in July 2007. His investors are looking for a return on their expenditure and Murphy said he hopes the course will bring the town some revenue as well.

“Maintenance is a large part of the discussion, and we will take control of the land, pick up the insurance on the property and take the maintenance away from Parks and Rec so they don’t have to spend the money or manpower,” Murphy said.

“I am in touch with my investors and financially, we’re all good to go, but I’m not going to officially go to them until my game plan is all set,” Murphy added.

Fava said March 10 a memo was sent to the Town Board recommending further review of Murphy's proposal.