Fees May Increase on St. Peters Golf Course

St. Peters may increase fees for the St. Peters Golf Course by $1 for golfers on weekday and weekend nine holes and 18 holes walking or riding. 

The 18-hole, 70-acre city-owned golf course is located at 200 Salt Lick Road, on the east side of Salt Lick. The fee increases are expected to raise an additional $25,000 a year for capital improvements and to cover shortfalls, said Jeff Hutsler, manager of Parks and Recreation for St. Charles. 

The Board of Aldermen will discuss the proposed rate changes at the Feb. 28 Board of Aldermen work session. 

Rates for players under 15 and over 55 playing 9 holes on the weekends would increase by $1. Most special rates (like weekday and weekend twilight rates) would also increase. 

The proposed rates for someone wanting to ride while playing 9 holes on a weekday would $24, the same as the rates at The Falls at Turtle Creek good until March 10, 2013. 

The city started managing the golf course in 2009, after years of leasing out the property to a management group. After the park flooded 12 times in one year, the department installed a drainage system which helps manage the flooding from Dardenne Creek and the course recover more quickly.

Last year, the golf course turned a profit because of a mild winter and good temperatures in October, November and February, Hutsler said. 

"We have so many capital needs for the course," he said. "Major projects to keep the course attractive for the public. We also had an extremely good year. We didn't think that would be a typical year."

The city used the extra funds last year to pay for a new turf tractor, new carpet for the club house and replacing an electrical line. 

Next year, they will target major creek stabilization, trail and cart path improvements and clubhouse repairs. A 2011 study found that the St. Peters Golf Course rates a 2.7 and is between good and fair, according to an article in the Suburban Journals. 

"There's always something we have to look into," Hutsler said. "Parking lot repairs, parking lot is need of striping and overlay and general upkeep of the course that demands you keep up with the stuff or you fall behind in quality."