POA fees increase for 2015
According to the fee schedule dated Nov. 21, 2014, and published by the Bella Vista POA, user fees were not increased across the board by a fixed percent. Golfers are bearing most of the burden of a fee increase.
Twenty-six rounds of golf with a photo ID will cost each member $1,035. If we buy a value card and seat lease through the POA, the cost of the 26 rounds of golf goes up to $1,269.
However, 26 rounds of golf at The Creeks in Cave Springs costs $764, including tax, according to its website. That number of rounds of golf at Big Sugar in Pea Ridge is $564, including tax -- that price is for playing golf Monday through Thursday for seniors over 60.
How can these two courses manage their businesses and offer packages so much cheaper? We can save between 26 and 45 percent by playing at The Creeks or Big Sugar.
Tennis and pool fees had little or no increases. The pool costs mostly decreased by the amount of the 8.5 percent sales tax they are going to add to the charge.
Has the cost of managing and maintaining the golf courses increased that much?
Golf prices for individual rounds played by members with photo IDs have increased by 12 percent. Annual memberships when spread over 30 rounds have increased by 22 percent and are no longer competitive with surrounding courses.
We will be playing Big Sugar and The Creeks next year. We had POA value cards and seat leases this year.
Edwin Hardesty
George Stevenson
Bella Vista
Community on 12/17/2014