Edgebrook Golf Course sees increase in revenue, memberships in 2021

BROOKINGS – The COVID-19 pandemic-induced golf boom carried into 2021, numbers from the Park and Rec Department show. Revenue and membership numbers at Edgebrook Golf Course were up substantially, which Park and Rec Director Dusty Rodiek highlighted at the Jan. 31 Park and Rec Board meeting.

Below is a table of the past three years of golf sales provided by the department.

*Other sales, i.e., driving range or pro shop sales were not included in this table.

“Even in the midst of COVID, 2020, we had a substantial increase,” Rodiek said. “And even more substantial this past year, particularly in the membership category.”

An attached document broke down the membership sales as there were 353 memberships sold in 2021. This does not mean there was 353 members, however, as some memberships were “couples” or “family” which meant there were multiple people under a single membership. The final revenue total from memberships for 2021 was $253,057.50.

Rodiek said they can’t compare the memberships to prior years because the membership structure changed from 2020 to 2021.

“Membership sales increased substantially in 2021, even with the price increase that we had,” Rodiek said.

“Even with the challenging drought conditions last year, we still did well,” Rodiek added.

Rodiek explained that Edgebrook isn’t there yet, but at some point they will to put a capacity on memberships.

“You really don’t necessarily want unlimited growth,” Rodiek said. 

Board member John Maynes explained that he had someone tell him that he would not be renewing their membership at Edgebrook due to overcrowding.

“Obviously, we want to encourage as much play as we can but at the same time you have to balance that with the member experience,” Rodiek said.

Board member Steve Berseth explained that he played out at Edgebrook less last year than previous years, but could hardly ever recall having to wait at a tee box.

“So I’m not sure what the measure would for too much play out there,” Berseth said. “Play is up, but it doesn’t seem like to me that it’s been causing any real problems.”

“The days of just walking on are over, but other than that, I think it really isn’t a problem,” board member Doug Smith said.

“We will monitor that, and I have visited with (Gary) Moen (clubhouse manager at Edgebrook),” Rodiek said. “The expectation in the past is that you could walk on almost any time and get a tee time. It’s a good problem to have when you need to call ahead for a tee time to reserve your spot.”

Improvements from 2021 included the replacement of the driving range safety netting, which flanks the 18th fairway and separates the driving range from the rest of the course. Some trees on the course have also been removed. Over the winter, the clubhouse has also undergone some upgrades. New countertops have been finished, and the bathrooms are being given a “refresh” in the coming weeks.

For 2022, Edgebrook is slated to receive some cart path additions and the parking area will get a LED light conversion.

The I-29/20th Street South interchange project, which is slated to begin in earnest this spring, will occur near the southeast corner of the course. While the project is not expected to interfere with any golf this upcoming season, it may bring some unwanted noise and dust to the course.

For 2022, the price for a membership will remain the same as it did the previous year. The golf course is currently running an early bird rate that will last until March 31.

“I would anticipate another good season,” Rodiek said. “Weather dependent to a certain degree.”