Mini Golf Course At Sterling Expected To Be Money Maker

Season Passes, Special Events, Tournaments May Generate Good Attendance

By Frank Duis

In a recent NRPA article entitled "Bad Times Mean Good Profits For Mini Golf," it was pointed out that the sport of miniature golf was born during the depression years of the 1930's. Fueled by a strong need for recreational, yet inexpensive escape from the realities of life, mini golf courses sprang up in about every city. The article went on to say that history does in fact repeat itself and due to the high unemployment rates, miniature golf operators are experiencing "boom" seasons.

The Sterling Park District's newest revenue producing facility, a nineteen hole course purchased from Lomma Enterprises, Inc., Scranton, Pennsylvania, went into operation April 30, 1983.

The course is located behind the Sterling Park District Recreation Center on an 8.07 acre site opposite the District's indoor ice rink. With the traffic to these facilities, plus the high residential atmosphere nearby, this installation is expected to attract several thousand patrons annually.

The course has eighteen holes of play with the nineteenth hole established as the ball collection point. Par for the course is forty-seven, twenty-four on the front nine and twenty-three on the back nine. Twelve of the eighteen holes of play have electrical obstacles which further test the skill of the golfer.

The course was layed out by Park District staff in a 75' x 75' fenced in area which is lighted for night play. After the greens were installed and leveled up, six inches of wood chips were laid down and rolled in as the surface between the greens.

Utilizing three steel poles left over from the rebuilding of the Lawrence Park Pool Complex, nine high-pressure sodium lights illuminate the 5,625' area of play.

To reduce overhead, the course is designed so that only one attendant is needed to supervise the operation.

Cedar Forest Products in nearby Polo, Illinois provided the design for a 6'x 6' control booth which serves as the administrative and concession area.

To reduce overhead, the course is designed so that only one attendant is needed to supervise the operation.

The budget for the entire project is less than the cost of developing one hole of a regulation golf course. The installation, completed, was $22,315.65.

The breakdown of this total cost is as follows:

5,625 sq. ft. of 6' vinyl fence with 10' gate ..........................................$ 1,988.00

Cost of nineteen (19) hole course and operating supplies .....................16,010.00

Nine (9) high pressure sodium lights — (5-250 watt, 4-150 watt) ...........1,697.00

Electrical Work (Underground wiring) ...................................................1,441.75

6' x 6' Administration Concession Control Booth ....................................1,178.90

...........................................................................................................$22,315.65

Weather permitting, the Sterling Park District hopes to utilize the facility for at least a six month period annually through October. Projected revenues on average daily attendances indicate that the facility could generate well over $25,000.00 annually thereby paying for the initial installation after the first season. Like all other outdoor facilities, the weatherman will be the contributing factor.

Revenues generated by the operation of the course will be placed in the Corporate Fund. Generally, corporate funds of park districts are sagging today due to declining tax dollars and the fact that there is no money to be made mowing grass.

Fees and charges were set at reasonable rates in an effort to generate a large volume of patrons. General admission rates are children (14 and under) at $1.00; adults, $1.50; and senior citizens, $1.00. Punch cards are available for children (14 and under) for 15 rounds at $11.00 and thirty rounds at $18.00. Adult punch cards for 15 rounds are $15.00 and thirty rounds at $24.00.

Still in an effort to generate as much play as possible during the six month season, the Sterling Park District is offering season passes to children (14 and under) to July 1st for $54.00 and after July 1st, $30.00. Adult season passes may be purchased for $72.00 to July 1st and $50.00 after July 1st.

The facility is very flexible as far as programming, and several special events are being planned for the course its first season. To encourage foursomes to use the course, free passes are given each person with the

Illinois Parks and Recreation 20 July/August 1983

lowest score. Tournaments will be scheduled along with father/son, mother/daughter, youth and mixed adult competitions. Due to the seasonal nature, the course will be opened to the general public from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M..five days a week and 1:00-10:00 P.M. on weekends while school is not in session. After school resumes in the fall, the course will be opened from 5:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.. Monday through Friday, with weekend hours from 1:00 until 10:00 P.M. through October 30.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Frank Duis has been Director of the Sterling Park District since 1965. He has been responsible for the development through an effective grantsmanship program, of eight major projects, including the recently completed Harry Oppold Marina and a solar hot water heating system for the Recreation Center. A member of the IPRA Board of Directors, he has received three awards for outstanding professionalism.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 21 July/August 1983