An Aurora City Council committee on Thursday recommended an increase in fees to play golf at Phillips Park on the city’s East Side.
Aldermen on the Finance Committee unanimously recommended the increase. The full City Council still needs to vote on the proposed hike in fees.
Jeff Schmidt, Golf Operations manager, said the fees at the Phillips Park Golf Course were last adjusted in 2022. He said the proposed increase would absorb some of the increasing golf industry costs, but also keep the public course competitive with similar golf courses. It also allows for continued investment in the course and its amenities, officials said.
“We are one of the most competitively-priced golf courses in the Fox Valley,” he said.
The basic cost for 18 holes on weekdays would increase from $34 to $38, and for nine holes from $24 to $26, under the proposal. The rate for 18 holes on weekdays would be $32 and nine holes $23 with an annual card.
An annual resident card costs $15, and allows a golfer to get the lower rates for the entire season. For a non-resident, the annual card is $25.
To play 18 holes on a weekend or a holiday, the rates would increase from $42 to $46 ($40 with an annual card). The rates are lower for mid-day tee offs after 1 p.m., and for twilight after 4 p.m., both on weekdays and weekends.
A resident season pass would go up from $190 to $250, and a non-resident season pass would go from $350 to $420.
Cart rental would remain at $16 for 18 holes, and $9 for nine holes, or for twilight. Pull cart rental would increase from $4 to $5 under the proposal.
For the driving range, a small bucket of balls would go from $5 to $6, and a large bucket from $9 to $10. A 20-bucket card would go from $160 to $190 under the proposal.
slord@tribpub.com
