The Newton Park Board approved 2017 park fees, including lowering golf green fees, at its Wednesday meeting at city hall.
The board — along with guidance from administrative superintendent Nathan Unsworth, golf superintendent Nick Cummins and golf professional Brad Sponseller — decided to lower green fees in an attempt to invite more golfers and increase the competitiveness of Westwood Golf Course.
“We’re really trying to find something that is going to bring more people to our course and really just bring new faces and try to attract some new people,” Unsworth said.
Westwood Golf Course had a membership of 206 people in 2016, a number that has remained steady over the years ranging between 195 and 225. However, the number of rounds played is not where staff would like it to be. Rates will lower in an attempt to increase those numbers.
Green fees such has 18 hole and 9 hole week day or weekend rate, Twilight golf (after 4:30 p.m.) and the 10 punch pass will all be less expensive than in the past. The 9 hole 10 punch pass will go from $170 to $135 and the Twilight rate will go from $20 to $15.
Sponseller said lowering the price by even a few dollars effects central Iowa golfers decisions where to play.
“We’re a little bit more than the Des Moines courses, which makes this a little bit better value. Instead of being two bucks cheaper, we are four or five, maybe six bucks cheaper so that makes it more worth it for them to come, hopefully,” Sponseller said.
Golf range, golf cart and golf membership rates will remain the same.
Staff and administration wanted to make green fees more affordable without losing value to its membership discount.
“Our memberships are still a very good bargain. It still makes it worth it to get the membership. If we lowered fees a little bit more it might be a different story,” Sponseller said.
Board member Marc Jackson is a member at Westwood Golf Course. He said green fees, such as a 9 hole week day or weekend rate, is a great fit for a beginner or occasional golfer.
“I think this is really attractive for the new guy trying to learn the sport. It’s very competitive with all the other courses, and that’s the number one thing we need to do right now is be competitive with everybody,” Jackson said.
Sponseller said programs implemented in recent years such as the young professional adult and couples memberships have been beneficial to the golf course. Twilight golf and the punch pass card are also a popular option for golfers.
Next year, for a person who doesn’t have a lot of time to play each year, they can use the punch pass and get 10 rounds of golf with a cart for $220. That’s an attractive deal for golfers, Sponseller said.
Park board members and golf administration would like to brainstorm ideas on special discounts, incentives and other ways to increase use of the course. This meeting would likely occur in January or February.
While reviewing park fees, the board decided to add a new service to Maytag Pool. Toddler Time will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday which will be an open swim for parents and children 3 and under. This will be $2 per person.
All other park fees and services such as pool, fields and daily rentals will remain the same, except the cost of the Woodland Park shelter rental will increase from $30 to $35.
Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com