Bangor Muni increases rates for ’09 season

BANGOR – After avoiding rate hikes last year, Bangor Municipal Golf Course will raise its daily green fees by $2 and its seasonal membership rates by $30 for the next golf season.

“Our costs have skyrocketed like everyone else’s,” head golf pro Brian Enman told the city’s government operations committee this week. “But we don’t think there’s anything out of line about what we’re asking.”

Enman and Bangor Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette typically review rates at the end of every golf season and couldn’t see a scenario this year that would allow rates to remain the same.

“Each year we have a responsibility to try to ensure competitive rates while at the same time meeting our costs,” Willette said.

The daily rate for 18 holes will now be $30, up from $28, and the single membership rate for Bangor residents jumped from $600 to $630. Non-resident memberships are up from $850 to $890.

Rates for other members, such as juniors, seniors and couples also will increase by an average of 5 percent. Golf cart fees also will increase by $2 for 18 holes. The new rates are all available online at: www.bangorgc.com.

Enman told city officials that he surveyed several area golf courses to help set the new rate structure, but he admitted it was difficult to find comparable courses.

“The other courses usually wait for us and then set their rate,” he said.

Bangor Municipal Golf Course is the most-played course in the region, averaging about 35,000 rounds or more for the last several years, according to City Manager Edward Barrett. With increased growth in the city and the potential for a new convention center in the next few years, some committee members wondered if the course could handle any more traffic.

Barrett said the course, which includes an 18-hole track and a separate 9-hole course known as the “Kelley Nine,” could reasonably maintain up to 45,000 rounds annually.

Both Willette and Enman said they would welcome increased traffic.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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