STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) Several first selectman and other chief elected officials are opposing a measure in the legislature to designate golf courses as open space that would reduce town assessments and taxes.

The Day of New London reports that Stonington First Selectman George Crouse told the legislature's Transportation Committee that the law would become another unfunded mandate for already-strapped municipalities.

Officials from Colchester, East Granby, Goshen and Oxford have joined the opposition.

Mike Moraghan, executive director of the Connecticut State Golf Association, says golf courses owned by families or individuals must compete with municipally-owned courses that do not pay taxes.

And he says golf courses in northern Connecticut compete with Massachusetts courses that have favorable tax treatment.

John Drabik, the owner of Cedar Ridge Golf Course in East Lyme, says courses are ``improved pastureland.''