City of Lincoln, NE

12/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/10/2024 15:12

City Golf Announces Fifth Consecutive Year of Increased Play

City Golf Announces Fifth Consecutive Year of Increased Play

Published on December 10, 2024

Course profits increase by 40% in 2024

Lincoln Parks and Recreation today announced that patronage of City golf courses has increased for the fifth consecutive fiscal year, which officials said helped generate a 40% increase in profit compared to 2023.

Lincoln City Golf reported that golfers played 235,012 rounds in 2024, an increase of 6.7% from 2023, which is the fourth highest number of golf rounds for Lincoln golf courses since 1999. Profit at Lincoln golf courses in 2024 was $1,063,413, compared to $757,662 profit in 2023.

"Our goal is to provide an exceptional golfing experience with high-quality courses, excellent customer service, and affordable rates," said Wade Foreman, Lincoln City Golf Facilities Operations Manager. "The growth in rounds played this year reflects our dedicated staff, engaged golfers, and ideal weather. We're especially excited by the increase in youth participation, which underscores the long-term sustainability of golf in our community."

This is the fourth consecutive year golfers have played more than 200,000 rounds at the five City golf courses. The 6.7% increase by Lincoln golfers also surpassed the 1.5% average increase from 2023 for public access courses nationally, according to Golf DataTech. Individual course patronage is as follows:

  • Holmes Park Golf Course: 51,963 rounds
  • Pioneers Golf Course: 51,774 rounds
  • Highlands Golf Course: 50,648 rounds
  • Mahoney Golf Course: 50,062 rounds
  • Jim Ager Golf Course: 30,525 rounds

Foreman said the increase in rounds reflects the growing popularity of Lincoln as a golf destination, attracting golfers from 48 states and seven Canadian provinces. Additional year end statistics include:

  • 160,655: Golf cart rentals
  • 20,084: Rounds played by youth golfers (age 5 to 17)
  • 1,131: Youth participating in golf learning programs at Jim Ager Golf Course
  • 213: Golf events hosted at Lincoln courses
  • 83: Adults enrolled in the Get Golf Ready programs at all five courses
  • 29: High school and college teams using Lincoln courses
  • 24: Trees planted to replace those damaged by storms and Ash Borers
  • 24: Years of service at Highlands Golf Course by PGA professional Denis Vontz
  • 22: Years of service at Pioneers Golf Course by PGA Professional Tim Rowland
  • 2: Adult bald eagles who nested near the 13th hole at Holmes Lake Golf Course
  • 3: Fledgling bald eagles who can call Holmes Lake Golf Course home

The Lincoln City Golf Program is managed as an enterprise fund with operating expenses and capital improvements funded directly through revenues generated from greens fees, CIP fees, cart rentals, memberships and passes. Over the past three years, the golf courses have generated $2,058,358. Recent figures are as follows:

  • 2023-24: $1,063,425
  • 2022-23: $757,662
  • 2021-22: $237,271

Foreman said this financial success has allowed Lincoln City Golf to reinvest in its courses through its Capital Improvement Program. He said Lincoln City Golf continued to enhance the golfer experience and long-term viability of the facilities through various projects including:

  • Mahoney Golf Course: Replacement of 5,959 square yards of cart paths and sidewalks ($610,290)
  • Pioneers Golf Course: COPS Bond debt repayment on the irrigation system ($168,150)
  • Highlands and Pioneers: Cart path replacements ($27,468 and $28,642, respectively)
  • Holmes Park Golf Course: Clubhouse repairs ($36,027)
  • Pioneers Golf Course: Pond in-fill line replacement ($72,000)

"Lincoln City Golf has contributed to Lincoln's excellent quality of life for 94 years. Our courses offer affordable and accessible golf for people of all ages, genders, and economic backgrounds. We thank the community for their support of our golf program and look forward to another great year ahead," said Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross.

The City of Lincoln has offered municipal golf since 1920. Locations include:

  • Ager Learning Center, 3761 Normal Blvd., 402-441-8963
  • Highlands Golf Course, 5501 N.W. 12th St., 402-441-6081
  • Holmes Golf Course, 3701 S. 70th St., 402-441-8960
  • Mahoney Golf Course, 7900 Adams St., 402-441-8969
  • Pioneers Golf Course, 3403 West Van Dorn St., 402-441-8966

For more information about Lincoln City Golf, visit lincolncitygolf.org.