Eagle Valley will soon serve more liquor

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To make Woodbury’s municipal golf course even more appealing, the city will upgrade its liquor license.

The current license for Eagle Valley Golf Course allows for on-sale wine including strong beer.

City staff recommended upgrading it to a full intoxicating liquor license including Sunday sales.

City Administrator Clint Gridley said the change would help contribute to an overall increase in revenue as well as make it more competitive with neighboring courses.

Woodbury City Council approved the recommendation at a workshop Wednesday, March 21. A public hearing will be held on the matter at the next regular meeting.

Community Development Director Dwight Picha said there is a segment of the golf demographic that desires a mixed drink during and after rounds.

He added that many players decide to leave the golf course to visit other establishments and socialize after golf.

“Eagle Valley would have the opportunity to retain these types of players with the enhanced liquor license,” Picha said.

The golf course won’t have a full bar set-up, rather it will sell distilled spirits in the single serve bottles as opposed to multi-serve portions to allow customers to mix their own drinks, according to staff.

The city’s current license is granted to establishments like hotels, restaurants and bowling centers. It requires that 50 percent of their sales be attributed to food.

That 50-50 requirement, however, doesn’t apply to chartered veterans organizations or theaters. Staff requested that the golf course also be treated the same way as those establishments.

“That’s not the principle use of our property,” Picha said.

Eagle Valley Golf Course opened early for the seasons when temperatures spiked in mid-March.

Dan Moris, assistant golf course manager, said so far the course brought out 700 players.

“Last year, we had some struggles,” he said, adding that this year the field’s condition is “fantastic.”

In addition to opening the course early for the season, City Council also approved rate reductions in February.

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