City Commissioners unanimously approved new golf fees during their March 19 meeting.

Golf fees at the city’s two municipal course were last increased in 2023.

The city contracts out management to CourseCo, which began in 2019 and in 2021, commissioners approved a three year extension through 2025.

City reviews budget, financial position

CourseCo, with city Park and Recreation staff, are recommending the fee increase to “maintain current operations, anticipate future demands, and promote the golfing community, fees need to be established that will help offset expenditures relating to operation, administration, equipment replacement, capital-improvement, debt, and labor costs” for Eagle Falls and Anaconda Hills golf courses.

City considering increased golf fees [2023]

Michael Sharp, CourseCo’s president, told commissioners that since taking over management of the courses, they’ve developed a better model, making more money than they spend and paying back the golf fund’s debt to the general fund.

Sharp said it’s a good partnership with the city and they’re working on a longer-term contract to replace the one that expires next year.

CourseCo gives golf update; commission approves fee increase [2022]

He said he believes golf will continue to grow though they’re also being hit by inflation and have some equipment needs, such as golf carts and they want to make continued improvements to the property.

Jeff Stange, manager for both courses in Great Falls for CourseCo, said they believe smaller increases on an annual basis to help overcome inflation are better than waiting until they have to make large increases.

City renews golf management contract [2021]

He said the proposed increases are modest, about 2-3 percent on passes and about $1 on greens fees.

Mayor Cory Reeves said he noticed there were no increases for golf cart rentals and asked how the city would pay for them.

Steve Herrig, Park and Recreation director, said that they can’t raise that fee due to the condition of the golf carts.

“It’s just not fair, the condition is bad,” he said.

Herrig said if they get the fleet of carts this year, staff will likely come back to the commission to adjust the fee.

There was no public comment on the new golf fees, which are: