Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
By COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
East Hawaii weekend warriors and daily duffers alike, take heed: The most affordable golf game in town just got a little pricier.
Beginning today, the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation will charge higher greens fees from the public for access to Hilo Municipal Golf Course. It represents the first fee increase at the course in nine years, according to parks Director Robert Fitzgerald.
“Despite greater operational efficiency, we simply are unable to continue to absorb rising costs that are beyond the department’s control,” he said in a prepared release.
The weekday greens fee for Hawaii residents will increase by 25 percent, going from $12 to $15. Meanwhile, resident golfers will pay $20 per round, up from $15, for weekend and holiday play.
Monthly cards allowing unlimited play will be $25 for junior golfers; $35 for seniors at least 60 years old, University of Hawaii students and the disabled; and $55 for the general public. An additional fee of $1 per round for weekday play and $3 per round for weekend and holiday play will be assessed from card holders.
Meanwhile, nonresident rates will increase to $34 per round for weekday play and $45 per round for weekend and holiday use.
According to Fitzgerald, the proposed increases saw little to no opposition in December public hearings.
“Everyone supported it. They saw it was important,” he said Wednesday.
Players at the course told the Tribune-Herald last year that they, too, supported the increases. Many said they had noticed better conditions at the course in the last couple years, and said even with the increases, a round of golf there remained a great deal compared with private courses.
The increases are an attempt to offset budget shortfalls of more than $300,000 for course operations and maintenance. The county ends up subsidizing the difference each year, he said.
“We’re trying to increase what we’re putting into the costs,” Fitzgerald said.
A Wednesday release from the department added that “despite being affected by Hilo’s wet weather, the Hilo Municipal Golf Course generates between 80,000 and 90,000 player-rounds per year, which is at least double the volume many of the island’s private courses experience.”
To reserve a tee time, call the course at 959-7711 or email hilomuni@co.hawaii.hi.us. The course is open daily except on Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.