Temperatures have gotten cooler and things have gotten busier at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission heard Tuesday.
During a financial report, Lions Club manager Danny Carelock told commissioners that year-to-date revenues are ahead of 2021.
By Tuesday morning, monthly revenues for the golf course had come in at $30,000, compared to $28,217 for the entire month of October in 2021.
For the year -- through Tuesday morning -- Lions Club revenues totaled $258,018.
The golf course took in a total of $251,316 for the entirety of 2021.
Carelock said the golf course is readying for winter.
He said cold temperatures and rainy conditions slow play at the golf course and other activity, including grass growth.
"So, I can put my men on something else that's not pertaining to cutting grass ... That's all we did was cut grass," Carelock said.
He said crews have begun applying herbicide to the greens in anticipation of winter.
"We've still got some to put down so there will be a chemical bill to pay ... You put it down before spring gets here and that way, you get through the winter without much winter damage," Carlock explained.
With the change in seasons and weather, golf course crews also plan to make good use of a powered lawn sweeper that was purchased earlier this year for LCMGC.
The sweeper is part of a master plan that was drafted by the parks and playgrounds commission to improve city parks, including LCMGC. Development and implementation of the plan are ongoing.
"We've been using it already. It's a lifesaver and it really makes the place look a lot better. We appreciate y'all getting that for is," Carelock said, referring to the sweeper.
He told commissioners that two dead trees, which are near tee boxes 2 and 6, need to be removed from the golf course grounds.
Carelock said the trees pose a safety hazard, noting that limbs have begun to fall from them.
A ladies' golf tournament that was held last weekend at LCMGC drew 16 teams from South Arkansas and Louisiana, Carelock and Terri McCasskel, co-manager of Lions Club, reported.
"All of them ranted and raved about the golf course. They liked it so maybe it'll be bigger and better next year," Carelock said, adding that players braved falling temperatures and windy conditions during the tournament.
He noted that the Junction City High School baseball team will host a golf tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday at LCMGC.
Today is the deadline to enter the tournament. The entry fee is $100 per player. A 5-iron shot and two mulligans are $10 for each player.
Cash prizes will be awarded to winners. Lunch will be served.
Entry forms may be picked up at Lions Club or completed on the school's website, www.junctioncity.k12.ar.us.
Forms may also be emailed to [email protected]. and payments mailed to Junction City School, 100 West Holly, Junction City, Arkansas, 71749, with attention to Joe Hammett or Colton Sellers.
Make checks payable to Junction City Baseball.
For more information, call Hammett at 870-310-6992.
Carelock said the golf course may not shut down during the tournament, depending on the turnout.