There will be a couple of changes coming next spring at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course. Director of Parks and Recreation, Jack Wardell, says the first will be an increase in fees. A profit and loss comparison from 2000 to now shows that revenues are down and expenses continue to rise, reflecting a profit of more than $68,000 in 2000 to a reported loss of almost $50,000 in 2018. The last fee increases were in March of 2016. Wardell says not only is there a national downtrend in the number of people playing golf, but adverse weather can have a dramatic impact on their bottom line.
Golfers can break out payments on a monthly basis as well. Green fees were separated into weekdays and weekends a few years ago, and Wardell says they will be raised by 50 cents for nine holes and $1 for 18 holes on weekdays and $1.25 on weekends. These changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. Anyone renewing their memberships from now until the end of the year will do so at the current rate. The other change will be the construction of a permanent patio cover on the east side, thanks to donations from a local family and contractor. Wardell says there is currently a large tree there that provides a great deal of shade, but it needs to be removed. John “Foots” Clausen passed away in July, and his family wanted to make a $5,000 donation for the project.
The total cost, including brick-covered posts, is estimated at about $16,800. In addition to these donations, the MET Committee has pledged $2,500 and city staff will host a tournament in the spring with all proceeds going toward the patio cover. Wardell says because the purchase of a new greens mower was over $12,500 less than what was budgeted, they would have up to $9,300 available to use towards the project. He does not estimate, however, that this total amount will be needed after golf tournament proceeds are factored into the equation.
