WATERTOWN — The Thompson Park Golf Course could soon be named after you.
City officials are exploring whether it’s worth it to sell the naming rights to the city-owned golf course in Thompson Park.
Parks and recreation Superintendent Scott D. Weller confirmed that two unidentified entities have expressed interest in the naming rights of the 18-hole golf course.
City Council members have suggested that the city look into whether naming rights could be a way to bring in revenues and reduce losses.
City Manager Eric Wagenaar said the city has to determine the “right value” to sell the naming rights and the length of the time for the deal.
“It’s still premature,” he said, adding that city staff is looking into the idea before making a recommendation to council.
The city would probably put together a Request for Proposal seeking interest in the golf course’s naming rights, the city manager said.
He mentioned that the city looked into the naming rights for the Watertown Municipal Arena soon after the $11 million facility was renovated and reopened, but the city got no offers 10 years ago.
The city asked for a $50,000 minimum fee. The city had sent out letters to 108 national and local businesses seeking their interest in the naming rights. The city got no takers.
While it remains uncommon, rebranding a golf course through naming rights can be a money-maker. However, the practice occurs more with well-known golf courses and tournaments.
As the city contemplates the rebranding issue, it’s planning to move forward with finding sponsors for individual golf holes, Weller said.
To increase revenue, the golf course is accepting $500 sponsorships for holes. So far, about half of the 18 holes have been claimed by sponsors.
The focus for recreation program director Jim Scordo has been working on signing up tournaments for the season. About five have committed for this year.
Concerned about the number of workable golf carts. the city will not have the capability to bring in larger tournaments. The city has said it doesn’t make a lot of money on hosting tournaments and it’s expensive to lease carts.
The city also is making a series of other changes in the way that the historic golf course will be run this year.
This season, the city won’t be hiring a full-time golf manager to replace Jordan Northrop, who moved out of state in July. Instead, a part-time seasonal supervisor will be hired.
The city’s civil service office is working on the details of the position, Weller said. The city will soon start advertising to find someone to fill the job.
Wagenaar confirmed that David J. Marconi will return to run the golf clubhouse again this season. For the past two seasons, Marconi opened DJ’s at the Park. They’re still working “on options” about how the golf course holding smaller tournaments this season might impact the business, Weller said.
Last week, the City Council also approved a series of golf course fees.
The season will begin in April.
The historic golf course lost $123,276 last season, the third since the city took it over. During the first two seasons, the golf course lost $316,969 in 2024 and $306,590 for the first year that the city operated the course.
