City receives report from golf course

During their commission meeting Tuesday, the Fort Scott City Commission received a report on the past six months at the Woodland Hills Golf Course, including finances, additions and upcoming needs.

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In recent months, the course has received numerous improvements and additions, including the new clubhouse, golf professional and manager Shannon O’Neil, improvements at certain tees and holes, the new sign and logo, the option of senior tees and scorecards and the addition of new equipment for taking care of the greens.

“It’s a viable golf course and a good golf course,” O’Neil said, adding he believes it is one of the best courses in the area.

O’Neil said his goal is to expose the course to new groups of people, especially those outside of Fort Scott. In September, the Woodland Hills Golf Course hosted a tournament for the Southeast Kansas Senior Men’s League that brought in more than 40 players. O’Neil said events like those will bring in more golfers as well as encourage local golfers to attend.

Since the end of March, O’Neil said about 5,000 golfers have come to the course, with more than 2,200 of those rounds played by season pass holders. More than 3,300 paid green fees to play.

The season passes and golf fees added up to almost $55,000, the green fees more than $41,000, merchandise such as hats and golf balls almost $5,000, and food and beverages more than $13,000.

“We’re operating on the right side of things,” O’Neil said about the profit they have been able to draw in, while adding that he hopes to add more to the merchandise available.

O’Neil said their other plans for the near future include replacing the golf cart fleet, which have been in use since 2006, and possibly replacing the storage shed for the carts. The city will consider leasing the carts as opposed to buying them outright, determining which option will be most reasonable.

The city commissioners praised O’Neil for all he has accomplished since taking his position this summer as well as for his forward-thinking vision for the golf course.

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