Discussion regarding the new golf area was the highlight of Monday evening's regular monthly Dickinson Park Board meeting. The West River Community Center opened its new indoor golf area on Friday, Feb. 8. The area includes a golf simulator and two hitting stalls.
Dickinson Parks and Recreation District Director James Kramer said the golf area had a positive response in its first weekend of operation.
"They just absolutely loved it," Kramer said.
The community center had 38.5 hoursavailable for the golf simulator from Friday through Sunday. Of that time, 36.5 hours were rented out.
Facility supervisor Eric Kittelson said the total number of individuals who used the golf area over the weekend was 64. A total of 50 people used the golf simulator - 18 on Friday, 17 on Saturday and 15 on Sunday. The hitting stalls were used by 14 people - three on Friday, seven on Saturday, and four on Sunday.
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"This whole weekend there wasn't a time when there was even a half an hour open on the simulator," Kittelson said.
Park board commissioner Kelly Cooper was concerned about individuals using the golf simulator unattended.
"Do you want the general public dealing with that computer?" Cooper asked.
Kramer said individuals who use the golf simulator have to use the computer. He said an employee gets players started, but it is up to the participants to navigate through the system.
"It is sort of a learning experience for us," commissioner Mike Lefor said.
Kittelson said although individuals can go to the front desk of the community center for assistance at any time, most people didn't seem to need help in running the golf simulator.
"We show them how to get to the driving range and how to get to the courses," Kittelson said. "We just can't monitor it 24/7."
Training sessions for the golf simulator began yesterday evening. There will be a second training session at 7 p.m. today. These sessions are free and open to the public. Although specific times have not been set, Kittelson said he hopes to hold training sessions at least once a week.
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The training sessions will cover aiming, putting, using the ball tracker, reading the grid as well as other special features available on the golf simulator.
"Putting is pretty difficult," Kittelson said. "The depth is what throws people off."
The only the problem the golf simulator had over the weekend was trouble with the sensor. Kittelson said a few golfers complained it was not picking up their shots.
"If you hit off to the side of it, it's not going to pick it up," Kittelson said. "I don't think it's that big of a deal, they just pick their ball up and hit it again."
In the future, golf clubs will be available for participants to rent. Kittelson said men's, women's and junior's sets will be provided.
"When we get our clubs we're going to charge $2 for a set," Kittelson said.
For the time being, golfers must provide their own clubs. Kittelson stressed the importance of using unsoiled equipment in the golf area.
"We want them to have clean clubs, clean balls and clean cleats, but I don't think we've had a problem with that yet," Kittelson said. "We want to get a club cleaner and a ball cleaner."
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The golf area will have a lounge area by the end of this week, Kittelson said. This area will provide golfers with tables and chairs.
To reserve a tee-time call 456 -2070.
