By Steve Metsch
It will cost more to play at Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside this summer.
The Pleasant Dale Park District, by a 4-1 vote, recently approved a rate increase that had been unanimously approved by the Countryside City Council in April.
The park district and city are co-owners of Flagg Creek.
The rate increase is about $2 across the board.
For example, it will cost $25 for a non-resident to walk and nine holes on a weekday, and $27 on the weekend.
Residents will pay $19 and $22; juniors will pay $14 and $16. Senior residents will pay $18 during the weekdays. They don’t get a break on weekends.
There is no increase for a riding cart ($10), pull cart ($4) or renting clubs ($10).
The higher greens fees are needed because of rising costs maintaining the golf course, David Schutter, finance director and assistant city manager, said after the city council met on May 8.
“We had more play there last year. Most rounds ever,” he said.
More play means more wear-and-tear on the golf course, Supplies cost more. Labor costs are up. So is the price of range balls.
“That parking lot (last year) cost $415,000. We’re putting in more capital this year. The normal year is $100,000. The biggest one this year is probably cart path resurfacing. That’s $195,000,” Schutter said.
New mowers are needed, and the irrigation system needs improvements, he said.
Improving the irrigation and pond will cost $85,000. A new starter’s stand is $15,000. Six new golf cart cost $66,000, renovating the clubhouse is $30,000, deck fixtures are $20,000 and maintenance equipment is $65,000.
In total, improvements planned for 2024 come to $475,000.
A couple golfers at Flagg Creek in April said they have no problems with a small increase, calling the golf course a good value for the money.
According to information from the city, the new greens fees at Flagg Creek are comparable to those found at the nine-hole courses in the Chicago area like the forest preserve course Meadowlark on 31st Street west of Wolf Road.
The city council on May 8 approved buying a mower and two haulers for $56,370, along with spending $13,050 for improvements on a pond.