A lengthy discussion concerning the Batesville Municipal Golf Course was part of last night’s Batesville City Council meeting.
Jeff Owens, director of Batesville Parks and Recreation, noted the golf course came over $100,000 short of meeting its budget last year with its income. Owens presented Mike Dailey, a member of the newly-formed Batesville Municipal Golf Association, who brought forth a proposal from the association on how to tackle issues the course is facing along with ideas for ways to improve the course’s financial standing.
Dailey told the council that the association — which was formed earlier this year after a public meeting regarding the future of the municipal course was held — recommended increased fees for membership and golf cart storage. (See below.)
The association also said it would hold fundraising events to help increase the revenue of the golf course as well as hold multiple workdays for small equipment grounds work such as lawn trimming, mowing, brush cleaning and removal, and more.
Dailey also noted the association, under the Parks and Recreation Department’s direction, will endeavor to grow course membership through a marketing program.
Another area in assistance would be to provide funding for “small purchase” golf course items such as flags, flagsticks, tee market sets, scorecards, and more.
The association also said it would provide contacts and a network for bid-type projects such as dirt work, tree trimming and removal, stump removal, and more.
The council approved to move forward to enact changes to create a new ordinance pertaining to the fees surrounding the use of the course effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. and Ozark Newsline on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also broadcast weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and 99.5 Hits Now. If you have a news tip or event to promote, email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow White River Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
