Golf Course Rounds Increase Under Private Management

Golf course usage at both of Tulsa’s City owned golf courses increased in 2008 after management of Mohawk and Page Belcher courses was taken over by Billy Casper Golf Inc.

At Page Belcher, rounds of golf played increased by 30 percent, from 38,989 rounds in 2007 to 50,632 rounds in 2008. That is the highest total at Page Belcher in four years.

At Mohawk, rounds increased by 2 percent, from 38,959 rounds in 2007 to 39,579 rounds in 2008.

At both courses, rounds increased from 77,948 in 2007 to 90,211 rounds in 2008; an increase of about 16 percent.

In 2007 the Mayor’s Office and Tulsa Parks board entered into a contract with Billy Casper Golf Inc., which manages some 80 golf facilities nationwide, including many municipal courses golf courses. The contract is renewable annually for four additional years.

The move toward privatization was made following budget review of spending patterns, which indicated an ever-increasing annual deficit for the golf course budgets. If no changes were made, the City was projected to subsidize golf course operations by approximately $1 million in fiscal 2008.

 A citizen-led Golf Course Advisory Task Force evaluated six proposals the City of Tulsa received for privatization of golf course management and recommended selection of Billy Casper Golf. Mayor Taylor accepted the task force’s recommendation, and Billy Casper Golf assumed management of the golf courses at the beginning of January 2008.

The contract with Billy Casper Golf reduces the City’s projected cost to $610,000 in the last fiscal year, effectively cutting the subsidy nearly in half. In the current fiscal year, the City’s cost is projected to be approximately $200,000. Billy Casper Golf submitted a five-year proposal that would reduce the City’s subsidy to zero.

Tom Wolff, general manager of Tulsa Golf, the subsidiary management company through which Billy Casper Golf manages the courses, said he believes the upswing in rounds is because, “We strived to provide consistent agronomic conditions at the courses and to provide Tulsa’s golfers with a very positive guest experience.”