Golf Commission Meeting
September 9, 2003
Attendees:
Don Frost, Charlie Poole, Bill Hall, Dick Danner, Peggy Hoff, Roelkey Myers, Jeff Thoreson, Jim Draper
Absent:
Matt McGreevy
Old Business:
Roelkey stated he felt he golf course critique was beneficial and suggested the commission go out again next spring as a precursor to the meeting.
New Business:
Rates:
Roelkey opened by giving a brief synopsis of the Mayor and Board discussion regarding the Recreation Center’s rates, most specifically the city/county differential. Roelkey stated he has been to several Mayor and Board workshops and at the last the Board asked for the Rec Commission and Golf Commission to review current rates and give their recommendation.
He added he has already met with the Recreation Commission and they have reviewed rates and issued a recommendation in writing, which will be presented at the next Mayor and Board meeting.
He also commented that he is aware that the Commission spent multiple hours determining new rates for the golf course this past spring and is appreciative of their efforts.
Bill stated that the Golf Commission is a completely different entity and believes the bottom line is to get people to come to the course. He feels the rates are fine as is.
Peggy asked if we had a differential in the pricing currently, to which Donnie replied that we did not. However, Donnie stated that we have a Frederick Resident Day, on which city residents receive a 20% discount for a full round with cart every Thursday.
Questions were raised as to how the rate discussion came about. Bill explained there were residents who came to the aldermen with questions/concerns. The Aldermen decided to look at city vs. county participants in relation to courts/fields/parks that were inundated with users – basically to determine whether we need more courts/fields/parks or can we simply make better use of these facilities for city residents.
Bill stated he thinks we need to look at supply and demand – rely on Charlie and Donnie – if things are running well, don’t change them. We need to pay off the debt first and then look into other options.
Roelkey asked that the Commission come together on a recommendation for the rates so he could present it at the next Mayor and Board meeting.
Jeff asked Donnie if city residents “flock” to the course on Thursday for the city discount. Donnie said he originally picked Thursday, because it was the slowest day in the hopes of increasing business that day. Unfortunately, there has not been a noticeable difference as of yet.
Commission members asked how the City resident fees would be monitored should they vote on a differential. Roelkey stated there were two options:
o Participants would show their driver’s licenses to be checked against a City street listing to determine residency.
o Participants would get a pass from the Recreation Department stating he/she is a City resident. Participant would then show card at the golf course in order to receive city rate.
Donnie adds that he has never received a complaint or even questions of concern regarding Clustered Spires’ rates. He feels it is a non-issue.
Peggy makes a motion to keep golfing rates as written. The Commission feels that the rate discussion and research done in the spring was thorough, and the course is doing well with these rates. Jeff Thoreson seconds motion. All commission members present agree.
Projects/Upgrades to Golf Course:
Donnie talked about the aforestation project scheduled to start October 1 – 15. He commented it is the biggest project the course has undertaken, as we are receiving approximately 2000 trees. Excited about it, looking forward to finished result.
Donnie stated that expenses to revenue the course is $148,000 in the black. However this figure does not include the debt service. He feels the numbers reflect it is profitable to be open, especially seeing that was the worst fall, winter and spring in the mid-Atlantic. When the weather is nice – Clustered is always busy.
Charlie discussed the winter and late spring and how it impeded some projects.
Bunker #9 is complete.
Started on #11 pond – Charlie stated they found two sink holes, which they filled with clay and compacted, then filling pond. A few glitches – there is algae collecting in the pond, which should be fixed when the irrigation pump in attached. In addition, the pond is losing water – very quickly when first filled now at a slower rate. However, Charlie is not optimistic that the pond will hold the water – it is currently 2 feet under appropriate level. A liner would solve the problem – Charlie has contacted 2 companies each say liner costs 16-17 cents per foot – approximately $5500.
Charlie discussed the possibility of a Pro-Grass application to the fairways, which would eradicate the poah grass. The rye grass, which would replace the poah, is more aesthetic and less time-consuming to maintain. Charlie would need to use the Pro-Grass, seed in the fall. There would be some brown areas until the weather is warm enough to germinate the rye seed.
Jim suggests maybe using the application on a few fairways first.
Roelkey feels is it a good idea, but wants to complete all open projects before starting a new one. He suggests he and staff get together and map out a five-year plan to include all future projects staff would like to see done. Roelkey then turned the floor over to Commission members.
Jeff stated the Frederick Amateurs Tournament he plays in at Clustered is among the best he plays all year. He thinks the course is in wonderful shape; Donnie and Charlie do a great job.
Donnie commented that he has been visiting other courses and listening to feedback from participants. Worthington Manor, Whiskey Creek and PB Dye courses are all 3 to 4 years old, starting to tarnish some – not as good as they were when they first opened. Clustered Spires is better today then when we first opened.
Roelkey will schedule a meeting next April, barring any emergencies. At this time we will begin to discuss the July budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha O’Connor