Charles Whalen, Golf Course Manager for the City of Owensboro, said Tuesday that the last year has been beneficial for the Hillcrest and Ben Hawes golf courses, with each seeing a significant increase in revenue.
During the 2020 season, Ben Hawes Golf Course saw an 11% increase in revenue while its counterpart Hillcrest Golf Course reported an 18% increase.
The two courses also brought some new initiatives to help generate some new revenue, including adding the SkyTrak simulator and the Finn Cycles.
SkyTrak is located at the old pro shop. Finn Cycles are at Ben Hawes, with the plan for Hillcrest to have two in the near future.
Whalen said the courses drew more than 400 juniors in the Junior League every season, and there was a 23% increase last year.
“We have a full-service recreational golf facility, and we take pride in the community and what we provide for our citizens,” Whalen said.
Amanda Rogers, Director of Owensboro Parks and Recreation, said when it comes to determining to price for the course and subsidizing the taxpayers, they compare to those around the drivable area such as in Henderson, Evansville and other surrounding counties.
Rogers referenced when the department changed the subsidiary amount in the recent past and the department was hurt by the raise.
