Most state golf courses go cashless, but some object

ALBANY — Some older golfers are balking at a move by the state to allow only cashless transactions at state-operated courses this year.

The move to cashless transactions is aimed at boosting efficiency at a time when many businesses are accepting only debit and credit cards.

Electronic transactions allow staff to devote cost savings to other course operations, said Dan Keefe, spokesman for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

This year, cashless transactions are required at golf courses operated by the state.

On Long Island, no cash will be accepted at the state courses at Bethpage, Montauk and Sunken Meadow. The state course at Sag Harbor will continue to accept cash.

Sen. James Gaughran (D-Syosset) last week introduced a bill to prohibit “the mandated use of credit cards as a means of payment” at state golf courses.

“Our state parks are a treasured sanctuary, intended to be open and accessible to all,” Gaughran told Newsday.

“It's disgraceful that the New York state parks department is attempting to limit who can access and enjoy our public golf courses by eliminating the cash payment option," Gaughran said. "This offensive anti-cash policy will prevent large portions of our population from accessing our public golf courses.”

Peter Sabia, 68, of East Northport, has played public courses for 52 years, ever since he was a teenager and pedaled from his home in Hicksville to one of the courses at Bethpage.

Today, his home course is Sunken Meadows State Park Golf Course, which offers 27 holes on three courses.

Sabia says using cash is a better way to manage his money.

“There are quite a few people upset about it,” said Sabia, a retired postal worker.

“I’m a retired senior. I have limited income … and I don’t carry a credit card everywhere,” Sabia said.

He said he's also concerned that young golfers under 18 years old might not have debit or credit cards, although many banks provide debit cards for youths 13 years and older.

State officials say going cashless worked well in 2020, when debit and credit cards were required during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus.

Keefe said efforts are underway to help golfers adapt permanently to the cashless policy.

“We anticipate that some golfers may have issues with the return to cashless payment, and have been working to make sure they are aware of and prepared for it as golf courses open for the season," Keefe said.

Keefe said notification efforts include email blasts to golfers, park newsletters and signage at golf courses.” 

In addition, golfers may make online reservations using credit cards, and golfers may use pre-paid debit cards or gift cards.

The conflict between an older generation of customers and the trend toward cashless transactions isn’t new.

In 2019, the Long Island Rail Road reversed its three-week-old decision to prohibit cash transactions onboard trains following public input from riders including students and elderly riders.

The powerful lobbying group AARP found in a 2017 poll that older Americans weren’t ready to go cashless even as the use of credit and debit cards for everyday costs rises.

But Ronnie C. Miles of the National Golf Course Owners Association based in Charleston, South Carolina, said, “since the pandemic, many golf courses have been forced to move to a cashless system."

Miles noted that cashless transactions were driven by health and safety concerns.

"However, while health and safety concerns remain, operators have found that a cashless system improves internal controls,” Miles said.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.