Columbus, Georgia

THE GREATER COLUMBUS GOLF AUTHORITY

MINUTES OF MEETING

JUNE 25, 2002



The Greater Columbus Golf Authority held the scheduled monthly meeting at Bull

Creek Golf Course. Members present were Michael Silverstein, Chairman, Judge

Albert Thompson, June Holder, Donald Clack, Rhudine Nelson, Willie Hill and Dr.

Earl Bagley. Staff members present were John Milam and Steve Brown.



Correspondence



A letter was sent to Mr. Jim Beck thanking him for his concerns that were

addressed to the authority regarding the maintenance of Bull Creek Golf

Course. The authority will be taking the matters under advisement and will

begin to access the financial commitments of the need for additional

equipment. The Greater Columbus Golf Authority operates as an enterprise

funded as established by the council and as a result there are numerous

financial constraints. Our operating funds are a direct result of our

revenues. The golf authority fully appreciates and respects Steve Brown and

his staff for their performance they do, given the parameters they have to work

within. The staff and authority are constantly challenged with being able to

provide an outstanding product for the entire community. While at the same

time keeping our fees at a level that makes golf affordable. I am sure as a

businessman, you appreciate the challenges we; the golf authority, are faced

with and take our responsibility very seriously as we strive to be good

stewards at all times. We appreciate your concerns and the golf authority will

explore this matter very seriously.



Report of Steve Brown, Superintendent



Bull Creek Golf Course



? On the whole, particularly on the west it looks the best it?s looked in a

year, except for #10 and #16, which has some bare spots.

? Back nine of east course shows greens looking really well as they have

started to grow these past three weeks.

? Verticutting should start the week of July 8th.

? Biweekly topdressing applications to begin in July on the east course.

? Management practices have had to be adjusted due to the greens on the east

course being entirely different from what we are used to on the other greens.

? Had to replant #2 and #4 tee boxes of the east course.

? Continuing to deal with storm clean up of 30 downed trees as time allows.

? Presently have 12 total paid employees and 9 inmates.

? Mike Jordan?s last day was July 3rd, and Ben Carter will be leaving on August

2nd, which brings up the issue of hiring additional labor.

? The 4th and 5th of July were city holidays, which made for a time dealing

with mowing of the course for the weekend.

? Held off fertilizing the fairways because of the holiday weekend.

OxBow Creek Golf Course

?

? Oxbow is in better shape than Bull Creek because of the use of growth

retardant in the fairways.

? Discussed sharing of topdresser.

? Trying to work an arrangement with Parks & Rec regarding purchasing a grinder

and sharing it.

? Addition of one greens mower.



Equipment needs were discussed based on a list that was handed out to all in

attendance. We don?t have enough equipment to do the job with or we are going

to need some restrictions placed somewhere based on priority. I would like to

add another couple of inmates for labor.



I would like to see 10 percent of our budget each year go into capital in order

to purchase equipment and an additional $4-5,000 for leasing equipment each

year.



Godwin Creek Golf Course



We have a financial report of First Tee and Godwin Creek. Revenues came in at

$5,063, cost of goods sold of $1,896, the gross profit was $3,167 and with

operating expenses of $2,931 the actual profit of $236 was small, but this is

progress.



Report of John Milam, Director of Golf



Bull Creek Golf Course



? Bull Creek revenues up slightly from last year although so are expenses at

approximately $50,000 ($10,000 capital outlay for greens mower and blower,

$20,000 is being absorbed for growing expenses on the new golf course as we

didn?t want to take it our of one cent sales tax).

?

? Bull Creek?s month to date for June is $74,460 compared to last year at

$61,000.



Oxbow Creek Golf Course



? Oxbow?s month to date for June is $26,000 compared to last year at $19,000.



Old Business



? In regards to the First Tee lease for Godwin Creek, Trip Layfield, attorney

for First Tee of Columbus and Curt Whitefield, attorney for the National, are

preparing a lease and should be ready in August.

? The board at last month?s meeting approved D. J. DeVictor?s contract and the

city has it and has accepted it.

? Hardaway High School golf tournament issue is still unresolved due to Mr.

Gaither?s not taking responsibility of the damaged cart ($500) caused by one of

his golfers who is a minor. There is the possibility that the future

tournaments may result in the players having to walk to their perspective tee

boxes for the shotgun starts. We need to contact the principal and possibly

the school board. We have to seriously consider this issue and need to pursue

it further before anything can be finalized because of the liability problems

that could arise. We have also written to Mr. Gaither regarding next year?s

tournament about a month ago and haven?t heard from him yet. This issue is

under advisement for the next meeting.

? The city attorney has given us the go ahead regarding a written lightning

warning being posted. There have been two publications from USGA recommending

getting lightning protecting systems. We have made contact regarding an

Internet system and are considering such a system.

? Regarding renovations, the second phase is 98% completed and we expect to

open September 1, 2002. Mr. Carter is in financial straights and was told

today to pay his staff and subcontractors within a week?s time, otherwise we?d

consider going back on the bond.



New Business



? Selection of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Donald Clack and Dr.

Earl Bagley were nominated for the Chairman. Dr. Bagley will serve next year,

as Vice-Chairman and Donald Clack will be the Chairman. June Holder was

nominated for the Secretary and she accepted.



Final words of present Chairman



As I step off serving the golf authority from my present position, I feel very

strongly that we are leaving behind a positive legacy as being good stewards on

behalf of the community for the building of Oxbow Creek Golf Course, the

renovations of Godwin Creek Golf Course, the forming of First Tee, the

renovations of Bull Creek Golf Course, and the formalized mission statement.

The success of this authority has been a direct result of the collaborative way

in which we have all worked together, although we may not have always agreed

with one another, we?ve been respectful of each other.



Thank you all for your participation and support. I?m a member of the Rotary

and there is a four way test, which is the cornerstone of how I feel we?ve

conducted ourselves. They are: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all

concerned? Will it build good will? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?



Thank you and God bless each one of you. It has been a privilege and a labor

of love to serve with all of you over the years.