MORE STUDY GOOD IDEA FOR GOLF COURSE FEE HIKE

The Cape Girardeau City Council's plan to hold a public hearing on proposed golf fee hikes is right on par.

Users of the course are the ones who will be paying the added costs, and they should have a voice in the decision.

The fee request is prompted by a desire to make the golf course self-sustaining. That's important, but the city must be careful not to price users out of the market.

The plan is to raise the senior citizen pass by 80 percent has come under fire by older golfers. The golf advisory board has recommended raising senior passes by $120 to $270 annually; and other yearly passes by $50 to $300. Currently, the course has about 150 annual members, although anyone can pay $6 a day to play golf.

The reason for the disparity of increase is that many of these senior golfers use the course daily and are responsible for a greater percentage of the course's wear and tear. That may be true, but such a hefty increase may create an unfair burden on these golfers.

Higher golf car rentals and the elimination of non-resident passes have also been proposed.

For higher fees to be accepted, golfers may want to make sure they're getting more for their money. To remain competitive with other private courses in the area, continued improvements are essential.

The city has worked to improve conditions at the city golf course this year. Wet weather this summer took its toll on the greens, as it did last winter. But some golfers say more money should be spent on ways to improve play. They wouldn't mind paying more for an improved course.

But improvements aren't cheap. Golf advisory board members counter with the fact that several hundred thousand dollars worth of improvements have been made in the last few years including the addition of concrete cart paths, a new watering system, and reworking the greens. Additional fees will help finance continued improvements, say advisory board members.

As part of the review, the city might also study the addition of a professional course manager. A number of golfers who regularly use the course have requested a more professional approach to managing the course.

Since the course is lightly used in the winter, there is ample time to gather more information about the need for increased fees. The council is right to take its time to fully study the condition and finances of the city golf course.

With the help of the golfers who most use the course, the city may be able to both raise fees and improve quality. If golfers feel the city is genuinely interested in improving course quality, they'll be more apt to support a fee increase. And that will work to everyone's advantage.