Rain not dampening play and revenues at municipal golf course

Despite the rain that has washed over the area within the past few months, revenue and play are continuing to grow at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, members of the El Dorado Parks and Playground Commission said.

While reviewing the LCMGC financial statements July 2, Ken Goudy, chairman of the EPPC, said June revenue came in at $28,296.

Danny Carelock, manager of Lions Club, said income of $1,100 to $1,200 is pending for a tournament that was held at the golf course in June.

“That’s the best month we’ve had, Danny,” Goudy said. “So that’ll put us at almost $30,000 for the month, even with the rain and all the other issues, that’s outstanding.”

The June number is the highest so far this year and within the past two years, it is second only to a monthly take of $28,324 in July 2017.

Through June, Lions Club has taken in $101,938 in revenue.

A comparison of mid-year totals show that 2019 revenue is $700 higher than the same time period in 2018 and $11,735 for the first six months of 2017.

Annual income tallies for the past four years are $217,490 in 2015; $120,000 in 2016; $198,872 in 2017; and $203,712 in 2018.

A number of factors have been cited for the drastic fluctuation in revenue, including inclement weather and sweltering summer heat; fewer people playing golf; competition with other golf courses in the area; the stigma that is often associated with the quality of municipal golf courses; changes in management at Lions Club in recent years; and the need to market and promote the course more.

Since being named manager of Lions Club in April 2017, Carelock has reported a steady increase in revenue and play at Lions Club.

“As far as the revenue, we’re doing better than we were last year at this same time. We’ve had probably 50 inches of rain. We have had a lot of rain,” Carelock told commissioners July 2.

“If we hadn’t had the rain, there’s no telling what it would be, but we’re doing our best to keep the revenue coming,” he said.

Carelock also said that he is hearing more positive feedback on the condition of the golf course and that word-of-mouth is bringing in more out-of-town players.

He also noted that three oneday, Saturday tournaments have been scheduled through September.

The events should help bring in additional revenue, he said, adding that he expects the tournaments to be completed by early afternoon.

“So that should leave the course open for the rest of the day,” he said.

Added Goudy, “We’ve done well (this year). They’ve done a great job out there, not only in keeping the course in good shape, but keeping people moving around, bringing in the money.”

Carelock reported that the golf course is in good shape, considering the inclement weather, telling commissioners with a laugh, “We’ve got grass everywhere.”

“It’s really getting after it after all the rains and the fairways have filled in through the winter fairly well,” he continued. “We sprayed a lot of weed killer out there and it’s starting to take effect.”

With the inclement weather has come “a lot of lightning,” which has struck several trees on the golf course, Carelock said.

Several dead trees that were hit by lightning last year still need to be removed, he said.

“I know it’s hard to get somebody out there now because there’s damage all over town, but we do have some that need to come down and there’s probably going to be more that have to come down,” Carelock said. “I don’t want to cut down any tree out there, but if it has to come down, it has to come down.”

He also said he has been in contact with El Dorado Chemical about its annual donation of fertilizer to Lions Club.

“The last time I called … they said as soon as they have some available we’ll get it … So, it’s just matter of when, which the course has been too wet anyway and with it being too wet, we’ll do more damage than good right now,” Carelock said.