The Westport Board of Selectmen today approved increases in the fees for golfers that will help pay for the improvements to the golf course at Longshore Club Park.
The photo handpass fees will increase from $50 to $75, and the adult handpass fee stays the same at $30. A new senior handpass for those ages 62 years old and older would be $20.
Also, the daily greens fees will increase by $2 each.
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart McCarthy said the fees were outlined more than a year ago when the funding for the improvements for the golf course was detailed.
The improvements are due to be completed in time for a May 5 grand reopening of the course, he said.
The various greens fees were increased last year by $2 in the first phase of the fee increases (See WestportNow March 23, 2006).
During the discussions on the fees, McCarthy said, one resident asked why there was no discount for senior citizens on the handpass.
In its discussions, the Parks and Recreation Commission added the new discount on the annual fee, he said.
The department sells about 4,500 handpass per year, but the number dropped by 300, McCarthy said.
It’s not clear if the number of passes has dropped because of the fee increases, however, because the number of golfers is dropping overall, he said.
Someone who used to carry a handpass and only played a few round of games, however, may drop the pass and only pay the daily fees, he said.
“A marginal golfer may not buy the handpass and only pay the greens fee,” he said.
A person who pays for the pass, however, has the privileges of reserving a tee time and can bring a guest to the golf course, he said.
