The Augusta Municipal Golf Course has been losing money for the last several years.

In 2009, the public course lost more than $150,000.

If the course fails, Augusta State University officials want to buy the $2 million property for an expansion of ASU's campus.

Tom Beck Jr. is the director of Augusta’s Recreation and Parks Department.

He says in the town that hosts The Masters, fewer people are playing the game.

"I think even though Augusta is known as “the golf capitol of the world” we’re not that different than any other city our size," said Beck. "We’re still subject to the trends of a sport and nationally golf has really flat lined."

ASU officials say if the property becomes available, it would be purchased through a private foundation rather than with state dollars.

Tags: economic downturn, Augusta State University, Georgia recession, state budget cuts, public golf course, Augusta Municipal Golf Course, campus expansion, ASU, Tom Beck Jr.