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Burleson presents multi-year plan to elevate Hidden Creek Golf Course, proposes autonomous mowers and higher fees
Summary
City staff outlined a plan to transform Hidden Creek from a bargain municipal course to a premier public destination, proposing staffing changes, up to 13 autonomous mowers with a five-year integration (~$400,000), targeted capital work including a potential $2 million cart-path replacement, and dynamic pricing to boost revenue.
Parks and Recreation Director Jen Basham and Golf General Manager James Robert laid out a multi-year vision on June 16 to move Hidden Creek Golf Course toward a higher-tier public destination and improved financial performance.
Basham told council the course has received roughly $1.3 million in investments since 2021 and that rounds and revenue have risen—staff reported rounds climbed from about 32,000 in 2021 to more than 45,000 in the most recent fiscal year and revenue approached $2.25 million. The presentation identified deferred maintenance addressed since 2021 and a package of proposed changes including staffing-model adjustments, additional seasonal groundskeepers, an irrigation specialist, and technology investments.
One notable proposal would test and phase in autonomous mowers: staff proposed adding 13 autonomous mowers with a five-year integration costing under $400,000, offset in part by delayed replacements of some large mowers. Basham told council staff estimated the mower investment could pay back within about one year under projected efficiencies, while still requiring some seasonal maintenance hours.
Capital proposals included turf restoration, green surround irrigation, drainage-basin repairs and a capital cart-path replacement estimated at around $2 million in a later year. Staff also proposed adopting dynamic pricing—higher rates for last-minute bookings and higher peak fees—to raise per-round revenue, showing projections that incremental fee increases could raise annual revenue materially over several years.
Council asked operational questions (starters/marshals, irrigation constraints, cart replacement cadence) and expressed general support while asking staff to prioritize items in the FY26 supplementals and return to the finance committee with final numbers.
