Nearly 400 rounds have been played by children between 5 and 15 who are accompanied by a paying adult or season passholder. Overall, play has recovered after a falloff during a wet spring.
Better weather has driven play at the two city golf courses in Columbus, Neb. back up to a normal level in 2013, reports the Columbus Telegram
A total of 19,782 rounds were shot at Quail Run and Van Berg Park golf courses through August, the Telegram reports—a 7 percent decline from last year’s pace, but a significant improvement from just three months prior.
Through May, play at the city-run courses was down 33 percent from 2012 and revenues were 10 percent off last year—a decline blamed on a cool, wet spring that led to 20 weather-affected days in April and May, up from just six during the same time last year.
But then there were only nine weather-affected days in June, July and August, the Telegram reports, compared to 22 over the same period during 2012.
A warm, dry winter boosted play at the city courses in 2012, when a total of 26,317 rounds were carded, the highest number since 2009. A total of 36 weather-affected days were recorded from April through September of last year.
The number of rounds played this year—13,933 at Quail Run and 5,849 at Van Berg, so far—is closer to the seven-year average of 22,547, the Telegram reports.
Revenues remain 4.4 percent below this time last year, it was reported, but Golf Pro Doug Dunbar told the Telegram that the current figure is about 4 percent above the average pace over the past seven years.
The courses have generated $386,644 so far this year, and Dunbar is projecting a year-end total between $420,000 and $430,000.
Total revenues reached $453,582 last year, the largest amount since 2002, and the seven-year average is $410,727.
Dunbar said a new program introduced this year at Van Berg has been successful. Children ages 5-15 are now allowed to golf at the course at no cost if they’re accompanied by a paying adult or season passholder, the Telegram reports, and nearly 400 rounds have been played by children taking advantage of the program, according to Dunbar.
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