As the economy began to rebound this summer, so too did area golf.
Kanawha County parks and recreation director Jeff Hutchinson said play at the county's five golf courses has increased about 8 percent this summer compared to last year at the same time.
"Golf's up a little bit," he said. "It's up on a regional swing, not just in Charleston. I think with the economy picking up, too, it helps. I think probably because of the high gas prices people are staying close to home and playing."
Kanawha County operates Big Bend, Coonskin, Pioneer Regional Park, Sandy Brae and Shawnee public golf courses.
Hutchinson said the introduction this summer of weekend evening rates at Sandy Brae and Big Bend have helped fill once-empty tee time slots.
"Our courses here at the county are in pretty good shape," he said. "A lot of people called me and said they're the best they've been in a long, long time. They're tighter than what they used to be [and] greens speed has picked up a little bit."
Hutchinson said next year will bring a few changes to the county's courses.
"We're talking about building new tee boxes at Sandy Brae," he said. "There's some tree trimming that needs to be done at Coonskin [because] a lot of your shots are blocked. And we're going to do some bunker work at Shawnee. We're going to take some out and reshape them."
All county courses are open year-round, weather permitting.
"For people that don't follow football that much," Hutchinson said, "fall is the best time to play."
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Cato Park in Charleston has also seen a steady stream of golfers this summer.
"There's always people out here first thing in the morning and it continues throughout the day," said Charleston Parks and Recreation director John Charnock. "We're getting a lot of people here."
Charnock said implementing a course opening and closing date for the first time last year has made the public course more attractive. Cato Park's season runs from March to November.
"That grass out there is going to get a little rest," he said. "In November you can get all your grass planted and it sets there for months without the foot traffic and equipment traffic.
"Without all that foot traffic on it, it gives it an opportunity to just grow. They're looking greener than they did last year. We've got nothing but compliments about the golf course this year."
Charnock said adding sand traps is a possibility for next season. Sand traps were eliminated several years ago.
"That might be something that interests people," he said. "Make it a little more challenging. We're looking at extending the holes. What we want to do is talk to the golfers and see what they like and don't like. We want to make it fun and entertaining for people to play here."
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Scarlet Oaks Country Club, which is now a public golf course located in Poca, has seen an increase in play of about 40 percent.
"We had a pretty nice season," said owner Dr. Elias Haikal. "We're noticing a lot more women playing. The course is in better shape than it has been in years. It's the best deal in the Valley."
Haikal said sowing the fairways in Bermuda grass last year has given the course a boost.
"They're very good this year," he said. "Next season they should be excellent. Next year it should be like a carpet."
Haikal said more improvements are on the way for next season. Scarlet Oaks is open year-round, weather permitting.
"We're trying to make the course more golfer friendly," he said. "It's a pretty tough course. We're trying to widen the fairways and cut the grass a little shorter than normal.
"We've reconfigured our sand traps. They're more predictable and easier. Next year we're going to improve the drainage and further widening of the fairways."
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The wetter-than-usual summer put a damper on play at the public nine-hole Meadowlands Golf Course in Winfield, which is the former Deer Run Golf Course.
"The rain held us back," said assistant superintendent Craig Blackburn. "We flooded probably half a month out of the whole summer."
Blackburn said Meadowlands, which is located in a flood plane, lost at least $ 100,000 in revenue and "maybe more." He said in a good season the course usually takes in $ 250,000 to $ 350,000.
"If it wasn't for the rain we'd probably make $ 400,000 this year," he said.
Blackburn said new management has long-range goals to improve the course, which will be open year-round, weather permitting.
"The new owners that are coming in here want to build another nine [holes] in a few years," Blackburn said. "If they add to this front nine, it'll help out this golf course tremendously.
"I think that would bring new people out here. This course would definitely be one of the top courses in this area. If they come in here and leave everything the same, it'll go downhill. They've got to make big changes."
Source: Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)
