Grand Prairie parks staff told the City Council during a meeting that the city's two municipal golf courses posted a third consecutive profitable year in fiscal 2024, with combined net revenue of about $400,000 and a reported cost recovery of 114%.

Ray Serta, Parks, Arts and Recreation director, told the council that the city owns and operates two courses: Tango Ridge, an 18-hole “premium” course with hill-country elevation changes, and Prairie Lakes, which offers three 9-hole courses and lower-cost play. “Today, we'll be presenting information on our golf division,” Serta said during the presentation.

Steven Bowles, the city's fiscal manager for the division, presented the golf fund overview and financials. “Bottom line is that net revenue for FY24 was over 400,000 dollars solidly in the black with a cost recovery of a 114%,” Bowles said. Bowles reported about 52,428 rounds at Prairie Lakes and about 41,703 rounds at Tango Ridge in FY24, and said the fund supports 20 full-time, 22 part-time and 16 seasonal positions.

Bowles summarized FY24 revenues at roughly $3.8 million across both courses and total expenses of about $3.38 million, split “pretty evenly” between the two facilities. Staff told the council the golf fund is an enterprise fund supported primarily by user fees rather than general tax revenue.

During council discussion, a member asked for clarification of the term “enterprise fund.” A council participant clarified that an enterprise fund is intended to keep operations financially separate and is not necessarily required to generate profit, noting councils sometimes choose to supplement enterprise funds rather than force full cost-recovery.

Staff also highlighted recent capital and amenity changes at Prairie Lakes, including kitchen renovations, equipment replacement, a new patio dining area, roof replacement, parking improvements and a new food-and-beverage vendor, Crown’s Barbecue. Serta said Tango Ridge received recognition in course rankings: being named the 19th best golf course in Texas by Embassy Golf Now and the 7th best public course in East DFW by Avid Golfer magazine; Prairie Lakes earned honorable mentions.

Serta offered to update the department’s benchmarking study of area golf-course rates if the City Council wanted staff to compare local rates and analyze potential impacts on the golf fund. Staff said they would return with the updated study if the council requested it. No formal motion or vote on adjusting rates was taken at the meeting.

Council members and other speakers praised the staff and welcomed the partnership with Crown’s Barbecue; staff said employees and patrons have responded positively to the new vendor. The council asked staff to continue monitoring performance and to return with comparative rate information if requested.

No formal council action was reported on the golf fund presentation during the portion of the meeting covered by the transcript.