Japan has finally figured out what to do with its abandoned golf courses

[KamaAina]

24. We are about to have an abandoned golf course in San Jose.

But, natch, they're thinking of selling the land to greedy developers.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_28941276/san-jose-weighs-closing-a-golf-course-to-stem-financial-losses

San Jose's two newest golf courses are likely to remain money-losers for years to come, according to a new city audit that cited their high debt costs and the game's fading popularity and suggested selling all or part of one or turning some links into soccer, softball or baseball fields.

San Jose built the two courses, Rancho del Pueblo and Los Lagos, early last decade amid bullish predictions about the sport's growth. But they've never earned enough to cover operating and debt costs, draining more than $2 million from the city each year to subsidize them....

That means City Hall is going to have to make some tough decisions about the future of its public golf courses. The auditor's report outlines a few choices: The city could sell a portion of the golf course lands to pay off their debt, reconfigure the land for a soccer, softball or baseball fields, or keep all three courses open and try to reduce annual losses by boosting usage....

This isn't the first time San Jose has tried to rid itself of the money-bleeding golf courses. A 2011 effort to sell part of Rancho del Pueblo and build condos was met with sharp criticism, public outcry and an ugly political fight. But if the city chooses to close a golf course this time around, the auditor suggests a community engagement process.