Back in Black
February 11, 2010 3:13 PM
After years of deficits that some said would never end, the Madison municipal golf courses are making money again. The final numbers are in for the 2009 season and our four courses (Odana, Yahara, Glenway and Monona) turned a profit of a quarter million dollars. That's remarkable in a tough economy and in a season that experienced both great and horrible weather.
The credit for this turnaround goes to Parks Superintendant Kevin Briski and his staff and to Madison Parks golf guy Ray Shane. They cut expenses by 15% and marketed like crazy to increase rounds and income. They've got even more market muscle planned for the 2010 season.
The good news about golf comes on the heels of last fall's announcements that the Goodman Pool broke even for the first time in its young life and that the annual Freakfest Halloween party came close to covering its costs in only its fourth year. For the Halloween turnaround, there are many folks who deserve credit, starting with Joel Plant in my office for leading that effort.
These things don't happen by accident or with luck. They're the result of good planning and good management.
And as regards golf, I don't take credit just for having the good sense to hire Kevin Briski. I'm also out there myself adding to those rounds played every chance I get. It's just the kind of guy I am.
