The City-owned Hollenback Golf Course in Wilkes-Barre saw more play and an increase in net profit this season compared to last year, while the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Club in Bear Creek Twp. didn’t fare quite as well.

“Hollenback continues to have a good season, up (nearly) 13% in revenue, or $32,000, and expenses are also down 17%, or $31,000,” (equating to) $63,000 in net income this year, which is phenomenal,” John Koval, business manager for the Wilkes-Barre General Municipal Authority, told board members at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

“At Muni, unfortunately, we’re still seeing sliding revenue,” Koval said.

Total revenue at Muni was down 3.2%, or $24,018, from last year, according to a financial report comparing revenue and expenses as of Nov. 30 for each year that Koval provided to the newspaper.

Hollenback revenue increased from $257,016 in 2023 to $289,465 this year; while revenue at Muni decreased from $758,536 last year to $734,518 this year.

Revenue from greens fees, cart fees, membership fees and merchandise sales at Hollenback was up nearly 20%, or about $45,000, while revenue at Muni in those categories plus driving range fees, was down 11%, or about $65,000.

Charlie Majikes, chairman of the municipal authority, attributed the year-over-year dip in revenue at Muni to road and bridge construction.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission replaced a bridge that carries Laurel Run Road over the turnpike, which prevented traffic from accessing the golf course from state Route 115 – the most popular route used by golfers because it avoids the steep, winding Giants Despair route through Laurel Run. The bridge closure spanned from Feb. 26 through this past Tuesday.

But, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation culvert replacement project on East Northampton Street near the Wilkes-Barre city/township border impeded traffic through that area for about a week this past summer. And, PennDOT repaved Giants Despair after finishing the culvert project.

The best way to avoid Giants Despair (other than using Route 115) was taking Pine Run Road between Laurel Run Road and state Route 309 in Hanover Twp., but that route adds considerable time and mileage to the trip. And seemingly constant work being done on Pine Run Road also deterred golfers from making the trip, Majikes has said.

Majikes said on Tuesday he thought Muni could have fared about 25% better financially this year if many golfers weren’t deterred by the construction projects.

But, Muni did better in a few categories this year than in 2023, including tournament revenue, which increased by $10,788, or 21%, and food, beverage and alcohol sales, which increased $28,350, or 32%.

Initiating a fee for customers’ credit card use this year enabled the authority to make up $13,521 in processing fees charged by credit card companies.

And, the golf courses did make a net profit this year.

Not including administrative expenses, costs for Hollenback totaled $152,971, resulting in profits totaling $136,494. Costs at Muni totaled $636,608, allowing a profit of $97,910. After administrative and miscellaneous costs, that left a net profit of about $85,000 between the two golf courses, Koval said.

“So, it’s been a really good year, considering we saw a $24,000 increase in insurance,” Koval added.

“We’re very happy with the year,” Majikes said.

In other business, the authority board voted to advertise the sale of 10 used 2017 Yamaha golf carts at $3,500 each. Anyone interested can call the golf course at 570-472-3590 for more information and to set up a time to look them over.