Golf course operations bring many challenges

by Maria G. Hoover

SBJ Contributing Writer

Running a golf course is no easy job, according to managers and pros at area courses.

The challenges of running a golf course are similar to those faced in running any small business, said Bill Hobbs, assistant director of parks for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

Funding and fees. Hobbs said revenue from the park board's public golf operation is kept in its own enterprise fund, and all money generated by the courses is used for the golf program. The fund has its own set of books and carries its own fund balance, so it's important to find the right mix of fees and charges.

"People think tax dollars support the courses, so we should have lower fees, but many times, that's not the case. We have to price our product like anyone else," Hobbs said.

Hobbs said fees range from course to course, by number of holes and days of the week. Weekends and holidays cost more, as does cart rental, so charges range from $5 to $35, not including discounts.

"We look at the entire golf program