Business at the city-run Eagle Bend Golf Course is on the rise, say city officials who hope to avoid another infusion of tax dollars into the operation.

“I think we’re off to the right track, the right course,” Jim Kane, Eagle Bend’s manager, said Tuesday.

Officials disclosed in February that the golf course, which is supposed to be self-sufficient, needed $150,000 from city funds to stay afloat in 2003. The number of rounds played at Eagle Bend declined precipitously during that year, from 37,328 in 2002 to 32,694. That meant a sharp drop in revenue during the same time: from about $980,000 to $895,000.

City officials blamed weather and a mediocre economy for the decline in 2003.

“We’re at the mercy of the weather,” Parks and Recreation Director Fred DeVictor said at the time.

During the first four months of this year, however, revenue increased by more than $30,000 — up from $165,571 in 2003 to $197,944 this year. The number of rounds played rose from 5,395 during that period to 5,890 so far in 2004.

“We aren’t out of the woods, but we’re 500 rounds ahead of where we were last year,” DeVictor said.

Eagle Bend, 1250 E. 902 Road, has worked harder on promotions this year, reaching out to young golfers with a junior academy. A charity tournament hosted by Bill Self, Kansas University men’s basketball coach, is expected to draw a healthy crowd on June 18.

But officials say they aren’t in control of every factor affecting business at the course.

“I think that’s a reflection of the weather,” Kane said of the rise in play. “We’ve had some good days. And we’ve had some bad.”

Revenue at the Eagle Bend Golf Course for the first four months of this year is 0,000 ahead of what it was in 2003. Last year the course needed 50,000 in city funding to maintain operations. The course is supposed to be self-sufficient.