With the arrival of spring-like temperatures, the Woodland Hills Golf Course is prepared for an increase in golfers and events and features a number of changes and improvements accomplished in recent months.

About six years ago, the city of Fort Scott purchased the golf course from the owners, who were no longer able to keep it up themselves. At that time, City Manager Dave Martin was new to his position and faced an unpopular decision concerning the course.

Martin said at a Chamber of Commerce event Thursday morning that some residents encouraged the city to invest in the course while others urged them to stay out of such an endeavor. From the beginning, Martin said the city knew it could not only be the city involved, but the entire community invested.

Because of the community support, the golf course has been able to make a number of improvements as it provides further recreational options for the city. In just the past year the golf course has constructed a new clubhouse, employed a professional in Shannon O’Neil as the director, leased new golf carts, created a new website and are now beginning the process of building a new golf cart shed.

“We’re definitely going in the right direction,” O’Neil said. “We have good momentum right now and it’s just one step at a time.”

Rates are $12 for individuals Monday-Thursday, and $14 for individuals over the weekend. The course has more than a dozen employees, including some high school students who hold part-time jobs.

Throughout the year, the course provides a location for tournaments, both for out-of-town and for local high school teams. A number of fundraising tournaments are also held at the course. Upcoming events include the Elks Lodge Spring Golf Tournament Saturday to raise funding for fireworks, the Second Annual Mercy Health Foundation Tournament on June 10, one hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce on July 28, and a number of other scrambles held on specific weekends over the summer.