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TUCSON - This afternoon, the Tucson City Council approved a plan to close or re-purpose two city golf courses, if they don't show a financial improvement within eight months.

Both the El Rio and Fred Enke courses were singled out because they've sold fewer rounds of golf than other city courses, and the city says, golf operations have run a deficit for several years.

They have accumulated $7.5 million of debt that the city has had to make up through the general fund.

If the Fred Enke course fails to become financially solvent within eight months, the city will seek approval from the National Park Service to convert the courses into outdoor recreation facilities.

If El Rio cannot eliminate its budget deficit in the same time, the city will consider various options, including turning it into a park, or privatizing it.

While the original agenda included a plan to immediately close the courses, Councilmember Paul Cunningham amended the plan to allow for the courses to turn around their financial situation within eight months.