Mendota Heights Par 3 Fees Increase for 2012

City officials think the is worthy of a rate increase, and will be testing out their theory this summer.

Players will pay $1 more for fees when the course opens for the season: $11 for weekday and $12 for weekend greens fees. Senior/Junior rates are now $10 for weekday and $12 for weekend greens fees. The second round of golf will cost $6. 

Cart rental will increase to $3 for a pull cart, $11 for a power cart.

Assistant City Administrator Jake Sedlacek said the Parks and Recreation Commission struggled with whether the increase will significantly affect rounds played, or simply bring the course into alignment with other metro courses. 

The last time rates were increased was for the 2009 season. 

Last year, 9,396 rounds were played at the Par 3, and the course finished the season with an .

In an analysis of metro-area greens fees, Sedlacek said only Theodore Wirth Golf Course has lower rates. Senior/Junior rates are the lowest for weekday, and fifth lowest for weekend rates. 

Sedlacek said the course's quality has improved dramatically the past few years.

"We want to stress the fact that this is a high-value golf purchase for the Twin Cities customer," said Sedlacek. "We might be the shortest, but we think the combination of the ease of play, the condition of the course and the overall experience people get, no matter what the rate we're charging, we feel comfortable saying this is the best golf value in the Twin Cities."

Council member Ultan Duggan disagreed, and voted against the increase. He said that fencing on the north side of the course needs repair, and objected to a string of barbed wire on the fence. 

"If (patrons) feel that it doesn't measure up from the point of view of quality they're not going to come back and play." Duggan said he would prefer an increase on the second round fee only.