County golf courses coming off record year

Preliminary figures show the two Ozaukee County-owned golf courses had a record year with net revenues of more than $250,000 in 2022.

Combined net revenue at Mee-Kwon Park and Hawthorne Hills totalled  $250,155, thanks to overall expenses being down slightly from 2021, county supervisors were told earlier this month.

Gross revenues for the two parks also were down slightly from $2.55 million in 2021 to $2.51 million in 2022.

The rounds of golf played also dropped, from 76,677 in 2021 to 74,000 in 2022.

The drop in rounds played was due primarily to 26 fewer “golf days,” county Planning and Parks Director Andrew Struck said.

Both courses experienced record months in May, June and July, with Mee-Kwon also having a record month in August, Struck said.

Despite fewer rounds, the increase in revenue was due to a 4.2% increase in the per person price from $32.68 to $34.06.

In addition, Struck attributed the increases in revenue to a 32% hike in sales of discount cards over the last three years, cart ridership, which increased the pace of play,  and a 5% increase in green fees.

Struck said the increase in the number of people still working at home has meant more golfers playing during the week.

While the courses theoretically turn a “profit,” those funds go back into the golf courses for maintenance or to make improvements, so they are not supported by the property tax levy.

For 2023, Struck told supervisors the revenue objective is $2.35 million and 68,600 rounds.

To achieve those goals, Struck recommended to members of the county Natural Resources Committee that golf cart fees be raised 50 cents for nine holes and $1 for 18 holes, green fees be increased 25 cents to $1.75, depending on the time of day and day of the week, making it easier to make reservations online and charging fees for no-shows.

Even with the rate increases, the Ozaukee County courses are cheaper to play than most area courses. The weekday rate at Mee-Kwon and Hawthorne for 18 holes is $36.73 in 2023, compared to up to $79 at The Bog, $47.52 at Fire Ridge and $79 at Brown Deer.

The weekend rate at the Ozaukee County courses is $42.18, compared to up to $89 at The Bog, $63.36 at Fire Ridge and $79 at Brown Deer.