Forge Pond Golf Course (Credit: GolfAdvisor.com)
Despite a chilly spring, a warm winter before it has led to a noticeable rise in attendance – and revenue – at the Forge Pond golf course in Brick, county officials said.
“We’re open, and people are playing,” said Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett.
Compared to a three year average, the number of rounds played at the waterfront course are up 8 percent, and year-to-date over 2015, they are up 43 percent.
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The course, described by most golfers as compact, but aesthetically beautiful and challenging, is one of two courses owned by the county. The other, Atlantis, is in Little Egg Harbor Township. County officials said the warmer-than-average winter months as well as special programs have led to the increase in participation.
“We’ve run many different programs to bring people in,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett, liaison to the county’s parks and golf courses, said the Green Acres loans that allowed the county to buy the courses are now paid off, meaning all revenue generated by the courses is realized as a profit as long as operating expenses are met.
“Even when they break even, we have the asset,” said Freeholder Jack Kelly.
