Unconventional facility generates revenue for park district

The Addison Links and Tees reflects careful planning, unique design and creative operational policies.

By William S. Tookey and Tom Connelly

The Addison Park District recently opened a very unique golf facility that provides a variety of recreational services while acting as a revenue producer.

The facility's unique character comes from its unconventional design — a full size three-hole golf course with varying tee and pin placements, combined with a driving range, practice greens and a miniature golf course. Although the three-hole course originally generated plenty of calls from residents convinced they were reading a misprint ("You're sure it's not a par 3 course?"), the concept caught on quickly with more than 57,000 visits in its first year.

Getting started

Addison Links and Tees began operating in several phases between June 8, 1985, and June 1, 1986, following two years of planning and construction. The park district had investigated potential facilities that would provide revenue and recreation without raising taxes before settling on the purchase and development of the property that became the Links and Tees.

The site chosen had previously been a privately-operated driving range located on the community's main thoroughfare. Two feasibility studies, one on land value and the other on the financial possibilities of operating a driving range, came back positive. In January,1984, The David Gill Corporation, golf course architects and engineers, was hired to investigate and propose use alternatives, focusing on the greatest possible recreational use of the property as well as economics.

More than 57,000 visits were made to the Links and Tees in its first year of operation.

Gill's proposals for the 35 acres ranged from a nine-hole, par 3 course with a balloon-inflated indoor driving range, to configurations similar to the present layout and features. On June 20, 1984, the land was purchased, using $600,000 in General Obligation Bonds and $125,000 in Revenue Bonds.

On Sept. 12, 1984, the park board contracted with Stan's Landscaping to implement Gill's design at a development cost of $472,000. Included on the property are a three-hole golf course that forms three sides of the land's perimeter, a 66-station driving range with both asphalt and grass tees, an 18-hole miniature golf course, three practice greens, parking, security lighting and driving range lights.

Construction began in 1985. The driving range opened on June 8, followed by the miniature golf course on September 1. The three-hole golf course was completed in time for a June 1, 1986, opening.

Unique features

The facility's clubhouse, encompassing 2,000 square feet, was designed by Arthur Jaki & Associates. Contracted for a cost of $111,000 on Oct. 15, 1984, the clubhouse features a lobby, concession area, and two washrooms upstairs, with a full basement for storage and club repair.

Questions often arise concerning the three-hole golf course. The amount of

Illinois Parks and Recreation 10 March/April 1987

total available acreage at the site, and the park district's commitment to a multi-use facility, dictated this design. Each of the three holes (one par 3, one par 4, one par 5) features six different locations from which to tee off, as well as two pin placements on each green. These variations, along with the design, effectively alter the challenge and character of each hole, depending on tee and pin placement chosen.

Operational policies

For our current $5 greens fee, golf-

Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 March/April 1987

Avid golfers sharpen their skills on the grass tees at the driving range. (Photos by the Addison Park District staff.)

ers may play as long as they like that day. Many individuals play a full nine holes or more, circling the course as often as they choose, changing the tees and pins along the way. Others play two balls at a time, getting six holes of golf out of one circuit. The course manager regulates play to assure a continuous flow of activity.

On the driving range, at any one time, two-thirds of the 55 tees are asphalt, with the remaining 22 being on grass. The grass tees are fenced off in sections and rotated with the asphalt tees every three weeks to promote recovery and prevent erosion.

The complex lends itself ideally for lessons, as teaching professionals make use of the driving range, variable golf holes and practice greens. At least one professional is on duty at all times, and summer's demand for individual and group leasons warranted as many as three professionals at peak times.

The property is completely irrigated with water from adjacent retention ponds that double as a water hazard. Maintenance was simplified in 1986 by paving the parking lot and constructing two small storage garages. Additional security lights were also added.

An Addison resident enjoys the 18-hole miniature golf course.

During the season, which runs from March 15 to October 31, basic operating hours are 7 a.m. to midnight daily, with variations for weather conditions and weekends. Addison golfers have the opportunity for frequent and convenient access at Links and Tees.

Operating on a budget of approximately $200,000, the first full year of 1986 is estimated to provide a net revenue of $30,000, a figure that is encouraging to the park board. Total attendance numbered 57,075 for that period. Links and Tees has an excellent location and the advantage of a "history" of golf at that particular spot.

Future growth

The Links and Tees master plan calls for future development of an indoor, year-round lesson facility, either through construction or purchase of adjacent property. An additional 20 all-weather tees will be constructed. Also, an adjacent five-acre parcel has been acquired for additional parking, another 18-hole miniature golf course and batting cages.

The Addison Park District feels that Links and Tees, through its unique design and multi-function nature, satisfies a demand for golf and related recreational experiences on the part of Addison residents. The facility also makes sense economically, as it is already showing a positive net income in its first year of operation.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: William S. Tookey is the director of parks and recreation at the Addison Park District.

Tom Connelly is a public relations consultant to the Addison Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 12 March/April 1987