The grass may be greener now at the Sumner Meadows Golf Links but patrons will be paying more to keep it that way.
The city council unanimously passed a bill to increase greens fees and other rental rates for the upcoming golf season during the most recent meeting.
“The increase is not out of line with other courses in the area,” said Rich Katz, spokesman for Billy Casper Golf, the courses management company.
“It’s a negligible increase.”
He said the increase coordinates with the beginning of the spring golf season and the peak of golf lessons.
Additional revenue from the increase will go to new golf carts, keeping up course conditions, new player development programs and customer service, Katz said.
“It all adds up to a complete package,” he added.
That complete package actually won the course the 2006 golf facilities of the year award within the 75 courses Billy Casper operates.
“The increase is something we have done every year since the course opened,” said Lee Anderson, parks and facilities manager for Sumner.
He said the prices are also compared to other courses in the area to remain competitive.
Anderson said the 4 percent cost of living increase in the area is also a big factor in the rate hikes.
“We feel confident that the value our golfers are getting is good,” he said.
Gasoline prices and other supplies have seen a dramatic upswing in cost, he added.
An example of the equipment that is needed to run the course are the lawn mowers that cut the greens and fairways.
“Our citizens love our green space,” Anderson said. “They showed that when the council was voting to build on the course.”
Billy Casper took over the management of the course two years ago to improve on the base the city had built.
Anderson said the progress has been significant and that the course is looking solid for now.
“Golf provides a lot more than just a game,” he said.
Exercise, fellowship and a chance to get some fresh air are all benefits of getting out on the course, he said.
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