By JIM BUTLER

It’s going to be tough for Links on the Bayou to reach par. 

An extraordinary string of bad-weather weekends in 2024 has Alexandria’s city golf course scrambling to hit revenue targets. Through January 31, gross facility income was $618,000. The city fiscal year ends April 30. Last fiscal year, Links revenue was $817,000, records show. Gross revenue 2020-24 was almost $3 million. 

The City Council will introduce an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting to renew the current management, operations and maintenance agreement for Links, Johnny Downs Complex and Bringhurst Golf Course. 

The city pays M2Mitton Management about $9,000 monthly plus personnel costs (40-45 employees including part-time), according to records. The Shreveport-based firm has had the contract since 2015. 

Renewing at current terms and conditions is a prelude to city plans to request information/qualifications “pivotal to long-term agreement” for taking charge of the facilities. 

Numbers for the ballfields and soccer fields use, and that of Bringhurst, aren’t readily available, but those for Links shed light on their value — to quality of life and economic impact. 

About 20,000 rounds of golf had been played at Links April-January despite days lost to weather, bringing to 122,000 the number since May 2020. 

Almost 5,000 of those rounds were played by residents from outside Central Louisiana. Since 2020 about 4,000 rounds a year have been played by golfers from 39 different states, with an estimated economic impact of nearly $1 million. 

Rounds played have rebounded from Covid-impacted 20-21’s 18,000 to 27,000 in 23-24. 

Full disclosure: This reporter is a regular contributor to Links’ revenue stream.