CONCORD — When Diablo Creek Golf Course was allowed to reopen last year during the coronavirus pandemic, the business saw a “remarkable and unpredictable uptick” in tee-off times at the spacious greens, according to a city official.

People found their way to golf — a sport that lends itself well to outdoor physical distancing — and the course prospered, seeing a 40% increase from past years in rounds played. Officials project a net revenue of over $300,000 at the city-owned course when the current fiscal year ends later this month.

But the increased participation by residents also has brought more attention to an aging clubhouse with amenities that don’t always meet customers’ expectations, the course director said in an interview. Specifically, he says the clubhouse’s venue space is too small and the greens, constructed long ago, are now outdated.

If the popularity persists, he and city officials may look into major upgrades at the facility.

“The clubhouse was built in 1963,” said course director Joe Fernandez. “It’s had two facelifts — we’ve painted it and replaced the flooring — but it’s dated compared to a lot of modern buildings, and long-term there’s got to be a plan of eventually replacing that building.”

The 18-hole course is accompanied by a pro sporting goods shop, as well as a bar and grill. Fernandez said it’s also time to expand the fairway and greens, since modern golf club technology allows for bigger swings that cover more yardage.

There may soon be another reason to make improvements at the course. The long-awaited development of the former naval weapons site in Concord will involve expanding a road that connects to Port Chicago Highway, where the course is located. The construction will require developers to cut through the southern portion of the course.

“What’s unique about that (development plan) is it will provide us with the opportunity to redesign the course,” said Steve Voorhies, Concord’s director of parks and recreation, in an interview. “At the very least, it could mean a redesign of the whole architecture.”

If Diablo Creek does get a makeover, the City Council may need to set up a capital improvement fund, paid off over time, to cover the costs. It created a similar $2 million fund in the late 1990s to improve, among other features, the facility’s irrigation systems.

In general, the golf course operates similarly to a private business, surviving off its own net income despite being owned by the city.

Unlike so many businesses that racked up losses during the pandemic, Diablo Creek garnered more revenue than it had in previous years, Fernandez said. At various points in 2020, the course even found itself low on driving-range balls, both because of increased demand and a COVID-related disruption to the supply chain.

“It turned out to be a real bright spot,” Voorhies said of the golf course. “People were able to play the sport in a safe way during the pandemic, and I think that was partially responsible for the resurgence of golf as a recreational activity.”

There’s only one other time that Fernandez can recall Diablo Creek being so busy: in the late 1990s, when Tiger Woods rose to icon status and several other courses opened in Contra Costa County, both spurring a local fascination with golf.

While the wave of popularity is welcome, city officials do expect a regression as the world returns to normal and people have more opportunities and choices for fun at their disposal. Fernandez, a golfer with PGA professional-level experience, says he hopes the past year introduced many new people to the sport.

“I’m hoping we did our due diligence on gathering info, so we can continue promoting the facility and keep our customers here,” he said.