WATERLOO -- Being under par is a great thing for golfers.

But when the city's golf budget falls below standards, it may be golfers who feel the pinch.

Members of the Waterloo Leisure Services Commission Tuesday discussed the possibility of raising greens fees this year to cover a projected $100,000 gap between revenues and expenses at the Irv Warren, Gates Park and South Hills municipal golf courses.

"We need to come up with some revenue increases if we want to maintain our current level of service," said Leisure Services Director Paul Huting. "This season we just closed is the third full season we haven't raised our rates."

Commission staff noted the shortfall could be covered by increasing the daily rates by $1 and adding $50 to the cost of most season passes. The golf committee is expected to meet next week to prepare a recommendation for the full commission's February meeting, and the City Council would ultimately adopt any changes in fees.

Park Superintendent Bill Bachman said a survey of rates charged on public golf courses throughout Iowa provides justification for a rate hike.

"Our surrounding communities are higher than us on the daily fees, but the season passes are all over the place," Bachman said.

Waterloo currently charges $15 for 18 holes of golf. Cedar Falls charges $16 at Pheasant Ridge and Waverly collects $17 at its public course on weekdays and $19 on weekends. Rates in other cities include: Des Moines, $18 to $24; Cedar Rapids, $15; Davenport $16 to $17; and Sioux City $22.

Commission members resisted raising rates for the past three years, fearing higher costs would drive people to competing courses in the area. But the number of rounds played has continued to drop, driven by an overall decline in golf throughout the country.

"By keeping rates low it hasn't increased play," noted commission chairman John DeLorbe.

Several commission members said they felt the majority of golfers would live with a fee hike.

"I don't think it'd be a problem raising rates," said commissioner Jim Berry. "We've got it pretty dog-gone good now."

But commission member Joe Fox worried about increasing costs on younger golfers. The city's current $5 season pass allowing kids to play weekday mornings when school is out has been a source of pride for the golfing community and earned praise in national golf publications.

"My initially concern is I see a hefty increase in the junior morning pass," Fox said. "I'd be real concerned about the kids."

But Berry said he has heard complaints from parents whose kids don't play golf about those low rates.

"I want to see the kids out there," he said. "But people who don't have kids (in golf) say, 'Look what we're paying to play baseball or swim.'"

Tim Jamison can be contacted at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.