Far fewer rounds of golf are being played at Columbus’ two city-run golf courses, leading city officials to wonder whether trends can turn around by the end of this year.
Greenbelt Golf course is showing 6,417 rounds having been played from January through June, about 2,700 fewer rounds than the prior year — a 30 percent decline, Columbus Park Board members learned Wednesday.
Par 3 is showing 4,645 rounds from January through June, which is 936 fewer rounds than a year earlier — a decline of 17 percent.
Parks officials had projected that 18,000 rounds of golf would have been played this year at Greenbelt, and 10,000 rounds at Par 3.
“Golf is in trouble,” Columbus Parks and Recreation Director Mark Jones said.
But park officials are hoping that their biggest obstacle to attracting players — the weather — will be kinder going into the fall than it has been the first half of this year.
Both golf courses were closed in January because of inclement weather, and winter lingered further into spring this year, which led to fewer rounds being played, Jones said.
High waters made golf courses unplayable un early April, when roads were also closed.
However, fall has traditionally been a time when golfers enjoy the two Columbus courses, although Par 3 will close at the end of October. Greenbelt stays open as late as November if weather stays favorable.
Park Board President Mark Levett said he had heard that golfers were praising the two golf courses as having the best greens in the area, something parks staff said they had also heard.
So far, July was the month for the highest number of rounds played at Greenbelt, at 1,646. The highest number of rounds so far this year at Par 3 was 1,319 in May, according to parks department statistics.
Revenues to expenditures for the golf courses show them running at a deficit of almost $63,000 without including general fund money for the golf pro’s salary and benefits, or nearly $111,000 in deficit if the salary and benefits are included, according to this month’s financial report presented Wednesday.
Greenbelt revenues are at $158,918.62 as of July, but were projected to reach $351,750 in budget projections for this year, according to a report given by Pam Harrell, the parks department’s director of business services.
Par 3 revenues are at $28,122.46 as of July, but were projected to reach $51,400 for the season.
The golf courses went under parks department control in October 2015 after the city ended a management agreement with Steve Cohen LLC. Cohen, who had worked for the city’s golf program since 1977, decided not to renew his contract with the city.
The city created a nonreverting fund for the golf courses to be used to cover personnel costs, supplies, utilities and other services. The hope then was that the cost of the courses would be paid through course revenues.
When the parks department unveiled its master plan last year, the golf courses were selected as an area needing improvement. Strategic upgrades were proposed including clubhouse improvements, better amenities and better infrastructure.
Near the end of last year, the two golf courses had $9,277 more in expenses than revenue through November, Harrell said. Ending balances through November with general fund personnel services, but without capital costs, showed expenses exceeding revenues by $74,089. Revenues through October were down 21 percent from projections, according to golf course financials.
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Greenbelt Golf Course
Where: 1000 N. Gladstone Ave., Columbus
Phone: 812-376-2684
Open: Year-round (weather dependent)
Holes: 9
Prices: $698.50 for adult season pass, $577.50 for senior season pass
Daily pricing (nine holes): $12 walking; $19.50 with electric cart
Par 3 Golf Course
Where: 3362 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus
Phone: 812-376-2687
Open: Usually spring break through the end of October.
Holes: 18
Prices: $379.50 for adult season pass, $325.50 for senior season pass
Daily pricing (nine holes): $8 walking; $10 with pull cart
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