County on course for a record year on the links

Coming off a banner year in terms of net revenue, the two Ozaukee County-owned golf courses are on course to finish with a record year in terms of number of golfers and revenue thanks mainly to excellent weather and a new clubhouse vendor.

Through August, receipts from Hawthorne Hills in the Town of Saukville and Mee-Kwon in Mequon totaled $2.16 million compared to $1.84 million last year.

Likewise, the number of golfers through August totaled 64,641 compared to 58,049 over the same period.

That’s despite the courses opening nine days later at Hawthorne Hills and 18 days later at Mee-Kwon Park than in 2021, which set a record in terms of net revenue.

County Planning and Parks Director Andrew Struck said weather was a major factor and said this fall looks like it will continue.

“Course conditions have been excellent. So much is dictated by weather,” he said.  “If we get a good fall, which it looks like we will, we’ll keep our courses open as long as we can.”

Struck also said a new vendor has helped, adding stability to course operations.

“The new concessionaire has helped by making it a more pleasant experience,” he said. “It was kind of a slow start, which is understandable, but it was good overall and we expect to have an even stronger year next year” with a year of experience under the vendor’s belt.

The county contracted last spring with  CDG Sport and Hospitality Group to operate concessions at Hawthorne Hills and Mee-Kwon golf courses.

One of CDG’s principals is Greg Nikolai, the men’s and women’s head golf coach at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.

A better clubhouse experience makes the courses more attractive to leagues in particular, Struck said.

“We’ve had very strong league play,” he said.

Struck also credited online ID card sales and reservations, which make it easier to book tee times, especially for golfers coming from out of the county.

“We’ve seen an increase in out-of-county sales, especially from the south in Milwaukee County. They have easier access to our courses” (than to courses in other counties), “even with construction on I-43,” Struck said.

“I think we offer really good value for golfers,” he said. “That’s why they come from out of the county.”

Struck told supervisors earlier this year the revenue objective for the two courses is $2.35 million and 68,600 rounds, both well within reach.

Usage of the courses has continued to increase since the pandemic, Struck said.

“Our play hasn’t dropped at all. In fact, it’s increased,” he said. “During Covid, there really wasn’t much to do and a lot of people were introduced to golf. I think we’ve retained those people.”

In 2022, combined net revenue at Mee-Kwon Park and Hawthorne Hills totaled a record $250,155, thanks to overall expenses being down slightly from 2021.

The golf courses are considered a county “enterprise fund,” meaning any “profit” raised goes back into the golf courses for maintenance or to make improvements, so they are not supported by the property tax levy.