By Heather Collins
Wet weather has been a problem for the Zionsville Golf Couse this summer, leading to its lowest-ever reported gross revenues in June at $38,973, thanks to 12 days of bad weather. But officials said they prepare as best they can for weather-related revenue dips at the town-owned course.
“We certainly expect an ebb and flow, and we certainly try and plan for it,” Zionsville Parks Director Matt Dickey said. “We try and plan for a bad year and don’t spend it if we don’t need it.”
Dickey said the golf course and its revenues are somewhat at the mercy of weather but that its budget is prepared to help the town stay ahead of the unexpected. Despite heavy rainfall in June and July, the course is ahead of 2015 and 2016 numbers in terms of net profit, Dickey said.
Earlier this year, the Zionsville Park Board raised course fees for the first time in five years. Dickey said the board reviewed more than 50 courses across the state to determine appropriate fees.
Officials are also ear-marking funds for the future, putting away money for new golf cart purchases to be made in 2022 and upgraded cart paths and irrigation.
Even with the weather challenges, the course is entirely self-funded, Dickey said.
“You plan for averages,” he said.
Dickey said financial planners use nine seasons worth of data to help budget the golf course. He said golfers are always impressed with the prices, value, upkeep of the fairways, health of the greens and play consistency.
“People who are experienced golfers know what quality courses are like, and they’re seeing that in our course,” Dickey said.
