Southwest Missouri News--Neosho

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Marti Attoun, Joplin area

The Neosho City Council unanimously approved a 20-year financing plan for a $2.3 million expansion of the city golf course.

BNY Trust Co., bond consultants, will be paid $168,000 a year under the lease-purchase agreement. The city will make the payments with revenue from increased fees at the golf course.

The plan will add nine holes to the existing course and rebuild some of the original 18, said Jim Cole, city manager. The project should be complete in 18 months.

Courtney Excavating and Construction, of Mountain Grove, will be paid $475,000 to build greens and fairways, and to install an irrigation system.

The lease-purchase agreement also includes money to retire earlier agreements that paid for course improvements.

A study last year by Flatt Golf Courses, Spring Hill, Kan., projected that the number of rounds of golf could increase from 36,000 to 60,000 a year once the new course is established. Weekend fees for 18 holes of play would increase from $12.50 this year to $13.66 by 2002.