Politics & Government
Greens Fees at Sassamon Trace Going Up in 2014
Selectmen unanimously approve a slight hike in overall fees.
For the first time since 2010, golfers who frequent Natick's modest 9-hole course, Sassamon Trace, will have to dig just a bit deeper into their pockets next year to play a round.
During the Dec. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, a request to raise 2014 greens fees and cart fees was unanimously approved.
Since 2010, weekday greens fees have been $20, with carts fees at $8. Next year, that will go up by $1 and 50 cents, respectively.
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All other weekday and weekend fees will also go up by $1, and the senior cart fee by 50 cents.
"We are well below what other courses are charging," said Park and Rec Director John Marshall. "We need to bring that up. Hopefully within 10 years we'll close that (subsidy) gap."
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Just three years ago, Selectmen weighed wether to close the course, but voted for a $344,402 subsidy from the town budget to keep open.
The current subsidy for FY14 is $312,249, while the predicted subsidy in FY24 is only $28,340. With better than anticipated revenue growth and lower than anticipated expenses, this could be eliminated, according to town documents.
"We have some of the best conditions, and we're really in position to increase the fees to better the product," Marshall said. "People will pay because conditons are so much better than in the past."
Those wishing to purchase season passes will have to pay more, too.Selectmen approved a hike of adult seven-day passes from $750 to $850. Adult seven-day spouse rates will increase by $75. Senior seven-day passes will go up by $100, with senior seven-day spouse rates increasing by $75.
Five-day and five-day spouse rates will go up by $100, junior seven-day by $50, and junior family and student rates by $25.
Golf Course Manager Pete Meagher said they were confident in the rate increases after doing a market survey of area golf courses similar to Sassamon Trace.
"We took all the courses within a 5-mile radius, those are courses we compete with," he said. "And we looked at similar courses with similar areas outside the radius."
Rounds for FY13 finished ahead of projections (28,000) but were slightly down from the course’s all-time high set in FY10 (30,538).
"I'm pleased to see the rates go up," Selectman Rick Jennett said. "If we’re doing a good job and we’re getting the rounds, then we should be in a competitive position and support this increase."
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