By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOWARD – The Village Green Golf Course reported record numbers in total revenue and net income in 2021 through June.
Village Administrator Paul Evert reported Monday, July 12, to the Howard village board the course’s total revenue was $404,008, exceeding the previous best year in the first six months of $310,221 in 2007.
The report stated revenue from golf course operations accounted for $300,829, while Village Green’s restaurant revenues came to $103,179 through June.
Compared to 2020, Evert said total revenue is up about $124,000 for the same period, with net income at nearly $150,000, which is also a record through June.
“Really, in some ways, the golf course is kind of a beer garden on wheels,” he said. “At least, that’s my experience as a non-serious golfer.”
Evert said factors positively affecting golf operations this year include: an increase in memberships with a lower annual fee; an increased interest in golfing as a side effect of COVID-19 last year; great spring weather; and having the same manager for the fourth year in a row.
“I think what happens with all these memberships is people invite their friends to come with them, because they want to go, and you don’t want to go alone, so you drag (along) a friend who doesn’t have a membership and it all works out,” he said. “And then when they’re there, they rent carts, a lot of them, so it helps because it’s not included in your membership.”
Evert said course manager Jim Boockmeier is “running the restaurant very efficiently.”
“He’s done a nice job with the menu, and it doesn’t take that many people to run it,” he said. “He’s doing a great job.”
Village President Burt McIntyre said Boockmeier has “got everyone multitasking over there.”
“It’s just kind of fun to watch him run around,” McIntyre said. “One minute he’ll be doing the golf and the next minute he’ll be mixing a drink and the next minute they’re cooking…”