Users of Lexington's public golf courses will soon be able to win prizes for routine, non-tournament play.
The city is partnering with the private firm, Eagle Watch Golf, in an effort to increase golf course use and reward the players at the same time.
City council gave partial approval to a plan that would involve placing motion-detected video cameras at par-three holes on four courses this spring. The cameras record every golfer’s shot every round on those holes. Players who score a hole-in-one or place a shot one to two feet from the hole win prizes. The prizes are paid for by advertisers.
Lexington Parks Deputy Director Bryan Rogers says it's expected to increase play at the public courses.
“We feel like it might drive our rounds at each particular course, maybe five to ten percent. Now, that would be a conservative estimate. I’m sure the Eagle Watch guys would tell you hopefully ten to 20 percent. But if we can get a five to ten percent uptick in the number of rounds played, it will be well worth it to us,” said Rogers.
There’s no extra cost to golfers and Rogers says the program is not costing the city any money this year.
Eagle Watch President Clint McKinley says the company is launching the video prize program in five other states. He says other Kentucky communities are expected to be added next year.
