Rolling Hills Golf Course under new management

The Weiser Golf Association is overseeing operations at the nine-hole Rolling Hills Golf Course after parting ways with the former general manager, according to a board member.
 The golf association let the general manager go and closed the restaurant on April 15, board member Angie Soulen told the Weiser Signal American in an email. The golf course is owned by shareholders and the restaurant, pro shop and grounds upkeep are overseen by a five-member board.
 The board appreciated the general manager’s work to improve the greens and grass last season. The food was good in the restaurant, and the board was sad to close that portion of the business, Soulen said, but it wasn’t fiscally responsible to continue.
 “The financial losses are the reason for the change in management,” she said.
 The restaurant is currently closed for dining, but the golf course is open to the public. Golfing has been one of the few activities open during the governor’s stay-home order, which was implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus and expired on May 1.
 The board members are managing the course with the help of several volunteers and a few staff members. All golf tournament events are on hold at this time due to the coronavirus pandemic, although officials hope that class reunions scheduled to be held at the course in July and August can take place.
 Soulen said that during the coronavirus crisis, the staff is vigilant about disinfecting carts after every rider, wiping down surfaces, door handles and cleaning bathrooms frequently as safety precautions.
 There are about 17 acres of fairways so social distancing hasn’t been a problem while out on the course.  Rolling Hills is not like a large country club in Boise that may have hundreds of members and lots of season pass holders showing up on a daily basis, she said.
 Since the golf course implemented its own COVID-19 precautions, the facility has not seen a lot of visiting golfers in the clubhouse on any given day. On sunny weekend days, the parking lot fills up with mostly season pass holders.
 Season pass holders don’t even have to go into the clubhouse if they don’t want to. They can sign in to play a round outside and hit the links. Most drive their own private golf carts.
 “We are doing our best to keep our valued employees with a job, respect the safety of the public, and keep the facility operating in the black through this challenging situation,” Soulen said.
 The golf course is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The course is open to the public and no membership is required.
 The clubhouse offers non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, ice-tea, and a full bar. Drinks can be ordered by phone or inside and taken out on the course. There are plenty of grab and go snacks available at the clubhouse.
 Once the reopening is completed and COVID-19 precautions are over, the entire clubhouse will be open to the public. The board is working on plans to make the kitchen and seating areas available for events.  
 Customers will be welcome to bring their own food or order food from one of the restaurants in town that delivers and enjoy a meal on the clubhouse patio or inside.  The clubhouse also plans to offer quick and easy food like chips and salsa and hot dogs.
 Rolling Hills offers highly reasonable daily greens fees and season passes. There are special rates for adults, couple, juniors and a special for first-time buyers.
 A round of nine holes costs $12 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Hit the course for nine holes for $10 on Tuesdays. The prices goes up to $14 for a round of nine holes on Saturday and Sunday. Carts are $10 to rent for nine holes and $14 for 18 holes.
 Golfers under age 18 can play nine holes for $7 every day. The driving range is open every day. Rent a bucket of balls for $3 for small, $6 for medium and $8 for large.