A Toronto committee is being asked to consider the future of golf as play wanes at money-losing city courses.

A report by city officials to Thursday’s meeting of the government management committee says that without a substantial investment to upgrade facilities and technology, that trend will continue.

“The participation for golf is declining across North America as well as in the city’s golf operations,” the report says.

The report recommends the committee approve two-year extensions to existing contracts to private companies that provide services such as ticket sales, golf cart rentals, pro shops and lessons.

Golf course assets and turf would remain the responsibility of city workers during that period.

But for the long-term, parks and rec wants to hire an external consultant to review industry trends and Toronto golf operations to help develop a 20-year model.

The report notes that many Canadian municipalities are exploring using private operators for their entire operation.

“A decision for the long-term options for the golf operations requires an analysis of golf industry trends and analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the city’s golf operations in the next 20 years,” the report says.

Toronto runs five golf courses – Don Valley, Dentonia Park, Humber Valley, Scarlett Woods and Tam O’Shanter.

It leases out Centennial Park and Royal Woodbine golf courses.

The city-operated courses have typically provided about $5 million annually in revenue but that dropped to $4.5 million last year, which staff attributed to the rainy weather.

Once overhead costs are included, the courses operate at a loss.

One of the larger issues facing municipal golf courses is competition, the report says.

“There are over 100 public and semi-private golf courses, 30 executive par three courses and a number of private clubs in the GTA,” the report says. “The number of rounds in the city’s golf courses has decreased from approximately 187,000 in 2007 to 157,965 in 2016, a decrease of 15.5%.”