Slow economy drives down prices at area golf courses

By Jon Moffett

Some courses in the Valley are offering reduced rates.

YOUNGSTOWN — Jerry Freeman has traded steel for his irons.

Seven months ago, the 45-year-old Hermitage native was laid off from the Duferco Farrell steel mill.

Par for the course in this new economy, Freeman has made many sacrifices to get by. But thanks to a free course, he doesn’t have to drive his favorite hobby away.

“I love it here,” said Freeman of the Buhl Farm Golf Course in Sharon, Pa.

“If you’re looking for a cheap way to have fun, this is the place. People come from all over to play here.”

The course opened in 1915, and a trust set up by Frank Buhl enables the nine-hole course to offer free golf to the public.

“It means a lot to the community to have a course like that because where else can you play golf for free?” said Pat O’Mahony, general manager of Buhl Park Corp. “The community has had this course for all these years, and it’s really a gift that the Buhl family gave. Even in these tough economic times, we try to keep it free for the community.”

The state of the economy has caused many course owners to take a closer look at pricing. Some courses are offering extended spring rates, and others have overhauled their rates completely.

Yankee Run Golf Course in Brookfield has extended its spring rates to attract more golfers. The 18-hole public course has been family- owned for more than 75 years.

“We have been on a discounted rate, primarily because of the economy and the weather,” said Paul McMullin, course co-owner.

For the rest of April, fees for the course will be $20 on weekdays and $24 on weekends. That includes 18 holes and cart rental. After Memorial Day, the rates will escalate, though prices are not set in stone, McMullin said.

Spring rates have also been extended at the Kennsington Golf Club, too. Golfers pay $25 Monday through Thursday and $35 on the weekend to play the Canfield course with a cart.

“We normally have our spring rates in effect until the middle of [April], but we’re keeping them in effect until the end of the month this year because of the weather and economy,” said Jeff Meyers, the course’s golf director.

The 18-hole course is open to the public .

Private courses are also looking at their rates. The Salem Golf Club slashed its membership rates by almost 50 percent.

“What we’re trying to do is come up with a reduced promotional offering for people in our area that do enjoy a private country club,” said Rich Cochran, president of the club’s board of directors. “They want it to be affordable, and that’s what we’re really trying to do. We realize the economics of today and feel like we’re in a position to do something to promote some new membership.”

The club is offering new members an annual fee of $1,500 for unlimited play on the 18-hole course per person, or $2,000 with a cart. That price is down from nearly $4,000, Cochran said.

In Youngstown, the Henry Stambaugh Golf Course offers inexpensive golf. The nine-hole course charges $7.50 for Mahoning County residents ($6.50 for seniors) and $8 for nonresidents. Cart rental is an additional $6 for residents Monday through Thursday before 3 p.m. and $8 after and on weekends.

Dave Boos, golf professional at the course, said the rates are kept low because the course recycles as much as it can.

But while some courses offer discounts, Buhl Park offers the most bang for a buck.

“Without this course, many of the kids in this area wouldn’t golf,” Freeman said.

Anthony Masello, 21, of Boardman has played Buhl Park for eight years. Looking for a job with his degree in carpentry, Masello is a cook at the Cracker Barrel in Austintown and knows the value of free golf.

“You don’t have to worry about taking a chunk out of your paycheck on your day off to play,” he said. “You can just come out here and enjoy yourself without having to worry about paying a lot.”

jmoffett@vindy.com

Inexpensive Golf

Courses with discounts

The bad weather and weak economy are causing many golf courses to offer reduced rates for patrons. Here are some area courses doing so.

Buhl Farm Golf Course (public), Sharon, Pa. — Free

Henry Stambaugh Golf Course (public), Youngstown — $7.50 for Mahoning County residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Deer Creek Golf Course (public), Hubbard — $18 Monday through Friday before 1 p.m., $28 after and weekends

Yankee Run Golf Course (public), Brookfield — $20 on weekdays and $24 on weekends

Kennsington Golf Club (public), Canfield — $25 Monday through Thursday and $35 on the weekend.

Salem Golf Club (private), Salem — $1,500 annually for unlimited play, $2,000 with cart.

Source: Golf courses personnel