Eagle Bend Golf Course will lose as much as $40,000 in 2003, city officials said this week.

The city-owned course has seen revenue dip by $100,000 from 2002, said Fred DeVictor, the city’s Parks and Recreation director.

“I’m not happy about the income strain; it’s had a couple bad years economically,” Mayor David Dunfield said. “I hope it’s a temporary downturn.”

Eagle Bend is designated as an “enterprise fund” in the city budget, meaning it can spend only what it earns. The course is not supposed to be supported by property or sales tax revenues, but DeVictor said Thursday that sales tax dollars may help make up the shortfall.

Eagle Bend general manager Jim Kane said fewer golfers were playing at the course because of factors beyond his control.

“One is weather, two is the economy and three is the fact that there have been six or seven new golf courses open up in the Kansas City area since 2000,” he said.

In an attempt to bring in more golfers, officials have reduced greens fees until February.

Framed by his golf partner Bob Heacock, Lawrence, Charlie Wilson, Shawnee, tees off at Eagle Bend Golf Course. The course, which is owned by the city of Lawrence, is 0,000 short on earnings this year. Heacock and Wilson played golf Wednesday.

“We’re not going to do anything like drastically increase the rates,” Kane said. “We’re trying to get more people out here and still make golf affordable.”

City officials say that, except for a one-time subsidy in 1999 of $158,000 in sales tax revenue, Eagle Bend has been self-sufficient since its 1998 opening. When business dips, part-time employees are let go and other expenditures are delayed.

“The only thing we can do is cut expenses and increase revenue,” City Manager Mike Wildgen said.

Kane said nearly $200,000 had been cut from the golf course’s $1.17 million 2003 budget.

“It’s difficult, but it’s something we have to continue to do,” Kane said. He said the payroll and the superintendent’s budget have taken the brunt of budget cuts. Customer service won’t be cut.

One expenditure the course doesn’t have to worry about: its water bill. As a city-owned course, the water bill is taken care of.

“It’s a tremendous help,” Kane said.

6News video: City golf course having bad year Eagle Bend Golf Course revenues not up to par (5-12-03) More about Eagle Bend Golf Courses in Lawrence 6News video report: City commissioners looking to raise fees at Eagle Bend (6-27-02)