Mozingo courses attracting more golfers

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
The Tom Watson statute stands near the entrance to the Watson 9 junior golf course at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland said this week that the number of rounds played at the city-owned two-course golf complex has been steadily increasing over the past three years, especially in terms of young golfers and league participants.

Business appears to be picking up at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park golf complex, which as of this summer consists of the Sechrest 18 course and the newly completed Watson 9 youth course.

Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland said this week that since 2014 the total number of rounds played annually at Mozingo has grown from 20,100 to 25,000 in 2016.

“That is an increase of 4,900 rounds in a three-year period,” Heiland said. “Across the board Mozingo has seen an increase in overall course play, especially in the areas of junior golf and league members.”

A summary of play in each of the last three years at the city-owned recreation area appears below:

• 2014 totals: 4,172 nine-hole rounds; 15,928 18-hole rounds; 56 tournaments/events; 98 youth camp players; 3,242 total league rounds (includes seniors’, ladies’, and men’s).

• 2015 totals: 3,221 nine-hole rounds; 19,079 18-hole rounds; 58 tournaments/events; 120 youth camp players; 3,448 total league rounds.

• 2016 totals: 5,700 nine-hole rounds; 19,300 18-hole rounds; 450 Watson 9 rounds; 61 tournaments/events; 173 youth camp players; 4,134 total league rounds.

On other fronts, City Manager Greg McDanel said plans are under way to boost marketing for the Watson 9 course in ways that emphasize its role as a nine-hole layout open to all golfers, not just children and teenagers.

While young golfers and youth golf programs are a priority for the new course, McDanel pointed out that a portion of adult tee-time fees collected there are donated by the city to the Junior Golf Foundation.

The locally based foundation works to provide instruction, equipment, and financial support for young people across the Maryville region interested in learning the game.

Among other things, the organization provides money for golf “scholarships” and equipment to youngsters from lower-income families who may not be able to afford clubs, fees, and other expenses.

By playing Watson 9, McDanel said, adults are actually helping fund a variety of youth golf initiatives.