Students who intend to purchase a golf membership this year to Ohio State’s Scarlet and Gray courses might face a new kind of handicap: cost.The 1999 membership price will increase by $145 – from $405 in 1998 to $550.Membership perks include the ability to make tee-times on either course and the flexibility to bring guests. The price of an 18-hole student ticket also increased, from $15 last year to $18 this season.Chris Walsh, head professional of the OSU courses, said prices have increased because OSU believed its courses were underpriced compared with other universities.”When prices were low it was a no-brainer to join,” he said. “Now you have to decide whether to pay a green fee or buy a membership.”Walsh said upping the price is not an attempt to cut back membership. In 1997, however, memberships were a sellout when they cost $260. Last year, only 350 of the allotted 525 student memberships were sold.Andy Geiger, OSU’s director of athletics, said the price hikes were not a direct attempt to reduce membership, but stated that would not be such a poor result.”We would rather see more pay-per-use than membership,” he said. “This would allow more students an opportunity to play who do not join.” However, some students said the price increases are unwarranted.”I think it’s ridiculous having the price go from $260 to $550 within a two-year span,” said Jeremy Buckley, a second-year medical student. “I understand Geiger still feels we are getting a deal, but you are putting it out of students’ reach. I just can’t afford to join this year.”Renovation costs are one of the reasons for the price increases. Geiger said it will cost about $2 million to repair the greens and rebuild the bunkers on the Scarlet Course. However, Course Superintendent Gary Rasor said the cost of course repairs is still unknown.”There is still no estimate for course repairs,” Rasor said. “We thought it would be here a month ago, but nothing yet.”The prices for membership will continue to inflate in significant amounts during the next three years based on a plan the OSU Athletic Counsel signed last year. Another $145 increase will occur in 2000, with additional $100 price hikes set for each of the 2001 and 2002 seasons.These rates will soon be inconsistent with other Big Ten schools, but the nationally-ranked Scarlet Course is one of the top courses in Ohio.Jim Brown, general manager of the Scarlet and Gray courses, said the last time he looked, the Scarlet Course was ranked 6th or 7th in Ohio and placed among the top 100 courses in the nation.Kim Collier, assistant professional of the Indiana University golf course, said the price increase this season was the first hike for that course in two years. Ken Horvath, manager of the Michigan State University course Forest Acres, said there was no price increase at that club this year.Both universities said they evaluate their budget at the beginning of the year to justify price increases, but neither foresaw any significant rises in the future.Scarlet and Gray membership prices also rose for OSU faculty, staff and alumni members. The faculty and staff member rates climbed from $1,120 to $1,280 and the alumni member rate increased from $1,400 to $1,600.The OSU 1999 season golf pass will be available beginning April 5 and can be purchased at the OSU Club House in Upper Arlington. Students who wish to purchase a year-long membership must be enrolled with at least 12 credit hours during Spring Quarter.