County golf courses teeing up another record year

Activity at the two county-owned golf courses is up “a lot” through May compared to recent record-breaking years, figures released last week show.

Through May, the number of golfers at Mee-Kwon and Hawthorne Hills golf courses was 17,301, up from 15,440 in the first two months of the opening weeks of the 2025 season.

Receipts totaled $671,792 this year compared to $607,495 over the same time last year.

Mee-Kwon outdid Hawthorne Hills in both golfers and receipts, 9,811 to 7,490 and $380,375 to $291,419, respectively.

In both categories, the county golf courses are at all-time highs for this point in the season.

“As usual, weather has a lot to do with it,” county Planning and Parks Director Andrew Struck said. “We had record flooding in April and record drought in May.”

He said stability in golf operations over the last couple years has helped.

“Our concessionaire has been very reliable. The consistency has really helped,” he said.

Last year, the courses generated about $3 million in revenue, setting another record by surpassing 2024, which also was a record year.

Aiding this year’s business is that work on two greens and the installation of a new irrigation system at Hawthorne Hills are complete.

Four golf simulators — two at each clubhouse — also have boosted revenue.

Improved food and beverage service, increased sales of gift cards, online ID cards and increased golf cart rentals also have helped.

The simulators help make the clubhouses year-round attractions for golfers, generating additional revenue.

Reservations for the simulators can be made online, similar to reserving a tee time.

The golf courses are a county “enterprise fund,” meaning any net revenue raised goes back to the courses for maintenance or to make improvements. They are not supported by the property tax levy.

In the last two years, the courses have contributed $100,000 to support the overall county budget.