Comedy night at Vernon Hills golf course regarded as added attraction and source of revenue
The Vernon Hills Golf Course is advertised as offering top conditions at reasonable rates, but lush fairways aren't the only attraction.
"This is more than just a golf course," says Liz Long, who started as a bartender and beverage cart driver at the village-owned 9-hole course seven years ago.
She now fills in as manager as needed, but it is her past experience manging a comedy club that led to a new offering for patrons and a nontraditional source of revenue.
Comedian John DaCosse will perform Thursday, April 23, in the 70-seat clubhouse off Route 45 at 291 Evergreen Drive. DaCosse, of Bartlett, is a regular on the WGN 720 morning radio show as host Steve Cochran's C-Team reporter, and he has also appeared on Comedy Central and other networks. Tickets are $10 each (cash only) with a two item food/beverage minimum. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (847) 680-9310.
"I've known him for over 20 years now," said Long, who managed the Zanies Comedy Club in Vernon Hills for two decades. That location closed about four years ago, but Long still has the contacts and thought comedy could work at a golf course.
The clubhouse is also booked for banquets, bridal showers and other events, and has become a gathering place for residents and frequent players.
Last November, Sonya White became the first comedian booked at the course, which is overseen by KemperSports Management Inc.
"We sold out the room. The first one went better than expected," Long said. Before that, a question-and-answer session with stars from the soap opera "General Hospital" also was well received, she added.
Village Trustee Jeanne Schwartz, who is the food and beverage manager at the course, said many nongolfers enjoy the clubhouse, patio and fire pit. And with the golf business off its peak of years ago, operators always are looking to maximize the facilities.
"In general, golf has been just even. That's why we're looking for other forms of revenue," Schwartz said.
The main purpose of the course is an amenity for residents, and any profits are invested in the course, she added.
Information provided earlier this year by Kemper to the village board showed 2014 total revenues short of budget, mainly because of a cold, damp spring and wet August. The number of rounds was forecast at 17,688 for 2014 compared to the budgeted number of 19,741. Kemper reported 18,852 rounds played in 2013.
Despite play being down, revenues from food and beverages were about the same as in 2013, Kemper reported. But net income for what is known as "The Muni" at the end of 2014 was estimated at about $30,029 compared to the budgeted amount of $47,084. Green fees remain the revenue bread and butter, but comedy nights add to the total.
"This (comedy night) is probably more of what we're going to stick to," Schwartz said. "We've got such a great venue for it - it's a small, comfortable room (but) people don't feel like they're in a cave."
Long said she would like to hold comedy nights every month or every other month.