The township council in Toms River, N.J., unanimously adopted an ordinance that will reduce, and perhaps eliminate, play on holes 10 through 18, opening up tee times for those who want to play all 18 holes. Golfers would still be allowed to play nine holes on the course during the first two hours of tee times, but they would have to play the first nine.
Golfers will no longer be able to play the “back nine” at Bey Lea Golf Course in Toms River, N.J., as the result of a unanimously passed ordinance, the Monmouth County, N.J., Asbury Park Press reported.
The Township Council has unanimously adopted an ordinance that will greatly reduce, and perhaps eliminate, play on the course’s “back nine,” or holes 10 through 18. Golfers would still be allowed to play nine holes on the course during the first two hours of tee times, but they would have to play the first nine holes, not the last, Press reported.
Councilman Jeff Carr, an avid golfer, said that the golf course’s staff will have the ability to allow play on the back nine on certain days, should they choose to do so. Nine-hole play will be allowed only on weekdays, Press reported.
The new ordinance also establishes fees for nine-hole play. Residents will pay $14 on weekdays to play nine holes, while nonresidents will pay $22. Seniors, those 62 and up, will pay $11. Last month, the council also voted to raise 18-hole fees at Bey Lea for the first time since 2011. Weekday greens fees for residents would rise to $21, with a fee of $24 on weekends. For seniors ages 62 and up, fees would be $15 and $24, Press reported.
A group of golfers attended a council meeting last month to protest the elimination of back-nine play. Many said that they are physically unable to play 18 holes of golf, and appreciated the fact that Bey Lea allowed senior golfers to play the back nine first thing in the morning for $7, plus cart rental fees, Press reported.
But Township Recreation Director Jared Tate has said eliminating play on the back nine in the early morning hours could increase revenue by opening more tee times for golfers who want to play 18 holes. He estimated the golf course could generate between $41,600 and $179,000 in increased revenue by adding more tee times, Press reported.
“Mr. Tate said they will eliminate morning back nine play and the revenues it receives to increase revenues on the front,” said Toms River resident Philip Castiglione, one of the group of golfers who regularly play the back nine. “It makes no sense to eliminate revenues in order to make revenues.”
Carr said a survey of local golf courses as well as courses operated by Monmouth County found no other course that offered play on the back nine. He said eliminating play on the back nine will allow golf course maintenance workers to more easily care for the course in the morning. He said residents who want to play nine holes will still be able to do so, but not on the last nine holes, Press reported.
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