Bill K,
I would think that the number you suggested is pretty close, especially at Old Marsh, and to a lesser extent at Jupiter Hills, which is a 36 hole layout.
Budgets depend upon what is included in them.
For example, health insurance benefits, clubhouse landscaping, tennis court maintainance, etc.,etc..
How do they book leases, operating or capital ?
Some clubs blur the two.
Some clubs have hidden interdepartmental charges that don't show up on the Greens department budgets.
It is very difficult to compare golf course budgets because one can rarely find two that are identical in form and operation.
At several clubs that I'm familiar with, comparisons were attempted with numerous clubs, but, the dis-similarities in the budget formats were so great that no accurate comparison could be made.
Tommy 65,
Unlike Northern courses, courses in South Florida have to be maintained year round, with no respite, no time to fix equipment, retool, etc., etc.. It is a 365 day a year task, and super flat land combined with hurricanes, tropical storms, torrential rains and drouts don't make it any easier.
What makes it even more difficult is that just when the grass goes dormant, the play of the courses reach their peaks, and most of them are subject to heavy cart traffic.
It's a little more involved than edging cart paths.