Saturday, February 26, 2000
City golf courses find competition tough
Hamilton's attendance falls
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — The city, a leader in Butler County golf for decades, faces increased competition from new, privately owned courses.
Hamilton owns Potter's Golf Course, 417 New London Road, and Twin Run Golf Course, 2505 Eaton Road, both on the city's west side.
“Our play was down a little last year, and the weather was dry, so the support was less,” said Dave Fenimore, Hamilton's golf superintendent. “I think there's just a lot of courses in the area these days, especially privately owned. But we're as competitive as any.”
William B. Phelps, city director of parks and recreation, says Hamilton's 18-hole courses are among the best in the nation for quality and value. In 1998, Golf Digest ranked Hamilton as Ohio's third-best major city for golfers.
Hamilton is a pioneer in the development of municipal courses in Butler County. Opened in 1927, Potter's is named for Ellis T. Potter, who donated land for the 105-acre course in 1925. It opened in 1927. Land for Twin Run was donated to the city by Dwight J. Thomson, chairman of Champion Paper. The course opened in 1963. Twin Run covers 209 acres, but only 170 are used for the golf course.
Hamilton's self-supporting courses generated $1.1 million
in 1999.
For the last three years the courses have averaged 80,000 players a year, though attendance decreased to 73,000 last year, Mr. Fenimore said.
“We get a lot of support from Hamiltonians, but we also get a lot from people who live around the city,” he said. “Twin Run is more in the open and longer. Potter's is a lot of older trees, more traditional.”
Last year's fall special did not attract as many new golfers as in recent years, City Manager Stephen E. Sorrell told council in November, though they did attract some out-of-town players. “The overall amount of play did not increase,” he said.
The director of parks and recreation and the golf superintendent recommended that the city discontinue its fall specials for now.
“The normal, everyday golfers did utilize the package, which saved them money, but it did not accomplish the goal we established,” Mr. Sorrell wrote in a memo to council. “There are a large number of other golf courses opening up in the area, which is making golf more competitive. The trend we have noticed is a slightly declining amount of play at our golf courses, most likely because of the competition. We are the lowest-priced golf courses around and provide some of the highest quality facilities.”
Hamilton's competition includes new privately owned courses such as Indian Ridge Golf Club, near McGonigle on U.S. 27, and Walden Ponds, north of Hamilton on Ohio 4.
In addition, Middletown owns Weatherwax golf course and Fairfield owns Pleasant Run. To the south, the Hamilton County Park District operates seven courses in its parks.
A group of investors opened Indian Ridge last summer. They plan to build 15 homes and 29 condominiums. One home has been built; construction could start on the condos this spring.
The course, at 2600 Oxford-Millville Road (U.S. 27), covers 175 acres in Hanover Township, between Millville and Oxford. Managers say it has attracted people from Dayton, Cincin nati and Northern Kentucky.
The 18-hole course also features a driving range, practice area, and chipping and putting greens.
From the highway, the Indian Ridge clubhouse looks like a hunting lodge, with a massive porch and exterior made of dark pine. The interior is made of cedar and other fine woods. A large wooden picnic shelter is next door.
Walden Ponds, 6090 Golf Club Lane, Fairfield Township, is an 18-hole course surrounded by an upscale subdivision.
Though the number of golf courses is increasing, so is the county's population. Since 1990, Butler County's population has grown by 40,000, to about 331,000.
“There seems to be plenty of business to go around,” said John Green, general manager of Indian Ridge. “We thought we had a great year, considering we didn't open until June 25. We've had a lot of word-of-mouth endorsements. Golf has a lot of followers in Butler County.”
CITY COURSES
• Potter's is open year-round, weather permitting.
• Twin Run is open March 1 through mid-December.
Greens fees: 18 holes, $18; senior/junior, $15; nine holes, $11; cart fees (per person), $11 for 18 holes, $5.50 for nine.
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