HOGAN PARK GOLF COURSE NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS BEFORE NUMBER OF ROUNDS JUMP

 (May 16, 2024)

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- Hogan Park is breaking records for rounds played, and the course will only get busier. 

Now is the time for improvements to make sure the 36 holes at the only public course within 20 miles of Midland are playable for generations to come. 

Maximizing Hogan’s potential is mandatory with the losses of public or private courses in our community. Those courses accounted for tens of thousands of rounds annually. 

Capital needs at Hogan Park start with updating irrigation needs ($6 million) and installing an RO system ($3 million). Those two projects will improve the quality of the grass on the course, including the greens. Other improvements include bathroom and clubhouse renovations. Those are expected to be part of the fiscal year 2024 budget. 

Possible improvements in the future include addressing the greens on the Roadrunner and Quail courses and rebuilding/expanding the clubhouse. Total cost of capital needs is $24.5 million. 

It is expected those using Hogan Park will pay for the improvements. The Hogan Park Golf Course is part of an enterprise fund, and expectations are City of Midland enterprise funds will come close to or pay for themselves and not be reliant on the General Fund, which is supported by property and sales tax revenues. 

A self-sustaining Hogan Park starts with operations. Fees at Hogan Park have not increased in a meaningful way in several years, resulting in fees nearly 20% below rates at local comparable courses. And although Hogan has benefitted from increased demand over the last several years, there is very little revenue left for capital improvements. 

The City of Midland will consider increasing green fees, cart fees and tournament fees to be more comparable to other public courses adjacent to Midland County (seniors over the age of 60 will receive a discounted rate of $20 on Monday through Thursday). Fee changes (based on 2023 Hogan Park Golf Course usage) are estimated to bring in more than $950,000 annually for improvements. 

On May 14, the Midland City Council approved the funding plan for golf course improvements and the $11 million in certificates of obligation to address immediate needs. In June, the council will consider an ordinance adopting rate realignment. New rates, if approved, will go into effect on July 1.