The costs for golf cart rentals and playing a round at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson could soon be going up.

City staff proposed the changes to Richardson City Council as part of a plan to decrease the reliance on general fund dollars being allocated to support the golf course’s operations during the July 22 meeting.

Two-minute impact

Chief Financial Officer Kent Pfeil said the rate changes primarily focused on fees pertaining to golf cart rentals, playing a round of golf and the driving range. Fees for Course No. 1 were last adjusted in 2022 while Course No. 2 has not had a rate change since 2011, according to a staff presentation.

Pfeil added that the additional revenues from increased fees should allow the golf fund to build a larger reserve that could be used to pay for portions of capital projects, such as course improvements or golf cart replacements, and cover unexpected expenses.

As part of the proposal, staff recommended moving to an annual rate review for the courses, Pfeil said.

“23 years or 13 years between rates is a really long time,” Pfeil said. “I think it would be a little bit easier for our consumers and golfers if we bite those off in smaller chunks.”

The details

According to the staff presentation, the increases would include:

• A new golf cart rate of $18 per 18-hole round, compared to $16.24. The rate for a nine-hole round would be $14, an increase from $11.91
• The new base weekday rate on Course No. 1 without a cart rental would be $36, compared to $32.48. The weekend base rate without a cart rental would be $50, compared to $45.47 previously.
• For Course No. 2 without a cart rental, the new weekday base rate would be $29, compared to $23.82. The weekend base rate would increase to $37 from $28.15.

Another change includes eliminating a punch card that was sold to residents and offered a discount any day of the week. Pfeil said the new system would be a universal resident discount of 25% for Course No. 1 and Course No. 2 and a 35% discount for players 17 years old and younger or 60 years old and older.

The punch cards previously purchased are proposed to be honored for two years, he added.

Some context

The increased fees are proposed as renovations on Course No. 2 are expected to wrap up this year. The project includes landscaping at tee boxes, sod removal from greens and drainage improvements.

The course is expected to reopen in early November, Pfeil said.

Looking ahead

According to the staff presentation, council members could vote on the increased rates during the Sept. 16 meeting. If approved, the rates would take effect later this year.