Committee approves revised Highland Park Golf Course rates and hears progress report on driving range and youth programs

The Municipal Services and Properties Committee approved Ordinance No. 243‑2025 amending codified rates for Highland Park Golf Course and its banquet room and heard a multi‑part operational update from Troon Management and the Highland Park Golf Foundation.

Nick Bednar of Troon Management and Tom Sheets (general manager) described 2024 financial performance and proposed rate changes for 2025–26. Bednar said Highland Park hosted 59,000 rounds in 2024 and reported golf revenue of $1,640,000, up from $1,100,000 in 2023; the average revenue per round was stated as $24.80. Bednar told the committee the operation’s subsidy has fallen and “we anticipate cutting that in half again in 2025 as we move toward profitability.” He said the pro forma places the operation on a path toward operational profitability in the coming years, with a projected net operating loss “just under a hundred thousand” for 2025 and a plan to reach sustained profitability by 2027.

The committee approved recommended rate adjustments (staggered pricing for Fridays; $2 increases on nine‑hole rates and $3 increases on 18‑hole rates for 2025, and similar adjustments proposed for 2026) and adopted amendments to the codified ordinance as read into the record. Staff stressed continued emphasis on resident discounts: Bednar said resident card discounts have grown and residents played nearly 10,000 rounds in 2024 (about 17% of play). The committee also voted to retain expanded resident discounts for the next two years.

Bednar and foundation representatives described capital and operational improvements completed or underway: new cart paths and drainage work on multiple holes, half a dozen new tee boxes, clubhouse interior updates (paint/carpet), an expanded cart fleet (35 carts), and initial grading for a new driving range and learning center. The presentation said a phase‑1 driving‑range opening (range mats and netting to protect Green Road) is targeted for late summer (presenter said “hoping for August”); the grass portion is expected later, possibly 2026.

Councilmembers asked about outings, youth and job opportunities. Bednar estimated the course hosts about 30 golf outings per year (roughly 1,500–2,000 rounds generated by outings) and said Troon and the foundation aim to expand junior golf, First Tee partnerships, and PGA Junior League programming. Councilmembers asked administration and the foundation to share hiring and youth‑program outreach materials with council offices to promote summer employment and participation; Parks and Recreation staff agreed to coordinate distribution.

Committee amended and approved the ordinance; members were asked to sign the legislation.