BRACKENRIDGE — The Brackenridge Heights Golf Course is here to stay.

And the encouraging word from owner Rubus Tomson is to play early and play often.

“There have been rumors floating around that we're selling off the property and are planning to close down,” Tomson said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.

“We're not going anywhere. The public needs to know that.”

Tomson and his staff have put too much work in to even think about shutting the course down.

The Tomson family bought the course in 2012 after it had been dormant for years. Crew members spent 18 months fixing up the 9-hole facility, which opened for business again as a public golf course in June of 2013. It had been a private club for years.

The restaurant on the grounds is not open on a regular basis, but is available for private parties, banquets and gatherings.

“We've had people organize gatherings or events here that include golf and the restaurant,” Tomson said. “That option is certainly there.”

So is playing golf all year for a one-time fee of $600.

“That year becomes effective on the day the golfer makes the purchase,” Tomson pointed out. “If the fee is paid on May 1, he is good to play here anytime until May 1 of the following year.”

Brackenridge Heights is one of few courses that does not change its rates on weekends. Golfers can play nine holes with a cart for $25, 18 holes with a cart for $35 any day of the week.

Tee times are strongly recommended, however, as the course serves as home to five leagues during the week.

Butler resident Erik Straughan is in his third year as superintendent of the course. He said efforts have been made to make the facility more friendly to the average golfer.

“There had been some sand traps in place on certain holes just to be there,” Straughan said. “If they made no sense in terms of golfers playing the hole, we removed them. We wanted to eliminate the needless hazards.

“We want the course to be playable and fair to everyone.”

Straughan added that the Brackenridge Heights course is trying to preserve wildlife as well.

“We want to emphasize nature here,” he said. “There are more wild flowers. The course is definitely more scenic in the naturalized areas.”

Brackenridge Heights features two par-5 holes and a pair of par-3 holes. The No. 8, 413-yard hole can play as a par-4 or par-5,

The longest hole is the 473-yard No. 3, the shortest the 167-yard No. 6. The facility offers a large clubhouse area and putting green as well.

Tomson said his favorite hole is the 323-yard No. 9.

“There are three sand-traps, a nice tree-line and the clubhouse is framed by the green,” he said. “It's a very scenic hole.”

Brackenridge Heights is sill accepting and scheduling golf outings. It will play host to an Autism Speaks golf outing July 15.

The golf course was established in 1914 and has plenty of history.

“I feel like we're turning the corner,” Tomson said. “Our clientele has picked up and people like the course once they experience it.

“The entire course offers nice scenery and golfers love the greens here. It's a nice golf experience for anybody.”