That included new aerification equipment and a fairway aerifier from the Vista Verde Golf Course when it closed.
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The aerification machinery cost about $35,000.
Before that purchase, the city had paid contractors to do that work, which cost $12,000 to $15,000 per year, so the equipment should pay for itself in three years, Helms said.
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Hamilton also bought specialized mower-blade sharpeners for about $10,000 from Middletown’s Weatherwax Golf Course after it closed last November.
“You’re going to say, ‘$10,000 to sharpen mower blades?’ Well, we have something like 50 mower blades, between the two courses, and also sent those out every year to get those sharpened, to the tune of $5,000. So we’ll have that piece of equipment paid off in a year-and-a-half, two years,” Helms said.
Hamilton spent another $7,000 on a tractor from Weatherwax.
Helms hopes Hamilton’s courses will benefit not only from Weatherwax equipment, but also an influx of former Weatherwax players. The city has lowered some rates in hopes of attracting those golfers.
MORE: 8 golf courses that have closed
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