Everett Council votes to boost golf course fees

EVERETT — Golfers will pay more to play at the city’s two courses beginning June 1.

The City Council Wednesday approved rate increases to help close a gap in the golf program’s budget. The program is self-sustaining and does not receive city tax dollars.

Among the changes will be the end of a daily rate discount for city residents. They will see a sharp rise in fees at both courses. Nonresident rates will stay the same at Legion Memorial and go up slightly at Walter E. Hall.

For example, the cost to play at Walter E. Hall Monday through Thursday from April to September will rise from $18 for residents and $24 for nonresidents to $26 for everyone. Legion’s rates for those dates will rise from $23 for residents to $34 for all. Rates vary by time of day and time of year.

The city will continue selling annual passes only to residents.

The vote was 6-1, with Councilman Ron Gipson voting "no." He predicted that many residents would no longer be able to afford to play in town.

"I believe there will be sticker shock," he said. "We’re not a country club. We’re a public course."

City Councilman Doug Campbell supported the increase. The only other option would be to use city tax dollars. "We have no choice unless we want to subsidize golf," he said.

Lori Cummings, assistant parks director, said the parks department needs to pay off bonds from renovations in 1997 and 1998 of the Legion golf course and clubhouse. The department is spending $700,000 a year on the bond repayment. Without a fee increase, the 2004 deficit would be $172,000.

"Making this change now will place the city’s golf courses in a much better financial position," she said.

Joe Goodrich, senior vice president of Billy Casper Golf Management, the company that manages the courses, acknowledged the courses might lose some customers. But he said most tee times are booked during prime golfing hours in good weather. And Casper is planning to offer discounts to lure golfers during nonpremium hours.

Reporter David Olson:

425-339-3452 or

dolson@heraldnet.com

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