THE GREATER COLUMBUS GOLF AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF MEETING
June 27, 2006
The Greater Columbus Golf Authority held the scheduled monthly meeting at Bull
Creek Golf Course. Members present were Richard Hagler, Floyd Washington,
Nancy Wilkeson, Donald Clack, Rhudine Nelson, Michael Silverstein, Earl Bagley
and June Holder. Willie Hill had an unexcused absence. Staff members present
were John Milam and Steve Brown.
Minutes of the May 23, 2006 meeting were approved as presented. Motion made by
Donald Clack and seconded by Floyd Washington.
Old Business
Mr. Milam suggests that the First Tee Board should be the Board honoring Nan
and Harry Hopkins of the First Tee of Columbus for their dedication and
outstanding work. Nancy Wilkeson will relay this information to Mr. Mike
Mayhew, Chairman of the First Tee. Mr. Hagler stated that it is important to
keep the Golf Authority Board and the First Tee Board separate.
New Business
Pay raises for all employees of Bull Creek and Oxbow Creek will be according to
the pay plan instituted by the City. Whenever the raises are approved by the
city, they will be retroactive to July 1, 2006. The authority is hoping that
the four ?key employees? at Bull Creek (mechanic, the irrigation man and two
prison guards) will be brought up to a competitive level. Donald Clack made a
motion and Earl Bagley seconded the motion to accept the pay raises authorized
by the City. Motion passed.
John Milam and Richard Hagler will be meeting with Councilman, Skip Henderson
to discuss the marshalling program at Bull Creek and Oxbow Creek. It is not
cost effective to have paid marshals. It has been suggested that the marshals
pay a fee to subsidize the use of a cart. Mr. Milam will report back to the
authority.
A note was received from Columbus High School golf coaches, Mr. John Drew and
Mr. Chris Parker, thanking Bull Creek for hosting the Class AAA Georgia High
School Regional Tournament in May 2006. Columbus High School is requesting to
host this tournament at Bull Creek every other year. Only a few golf courses
in Georgia can accommodate both boys and girls tournaments at the same time.
The authority realizes that this tournament benefits the city with additional
revenue whereas Bull Creek needs to shut down for several days. Brookstone
School has now submitted a written request to host the Regional Tournament for
Class A boys and girls at Bull Creek in May 2007. If approved, both courses
would be closed for the practice rounds and tournament play. Approximately 170
players would participate. The authority is now facing that if we allow
Brookstone School to host this tournament in 2007 and Columbus High to host
their tournament in 2008, substantial revenue would be lost.
Chairman, Richard Hagler expresses his gratitude for Rhudine Nelson and Earl
Bagley for their years of service to the Golf Authority.
Superintendent Report by Steve Brown
All 36 greens have been aerified. A 5/8? core was removed of organic matter.
In four weeks, the greens will be aerified again. Coarser sand was applied to
fill the holes and left the greens more uneven. It is difficult to spread the
sand evenly when it is wet.
This past weekend, a greens mower leaked oil on two greens causing considerable
damage. Bull Creek utilizes five greens mowers. The newest mower was
purchased in 2001. The older mowers were purchased between 1992-1994. The
cost to repair an older mower is tripled compared to a new mower. Richard
Hagler asked Steve to compile a list of equipment needed to keep Bull Creek
operational.
At Oxbow Creek, a 60-horse pump broke and will cost approximately $2300 to
repair.
The only problem at Godwin Creek is the lack of water. The greens were
verticut and top-dressed.
Steve reported that he is still one prison guard short. This time last year,
we had 21 inmates and now we have 14 inmates. With one-third of his work force
unavailable, the traps do not get raked as often and other duties are put on
hold.
Godwin Creek
The First Annual Optimist Tournament benefiting the First Tee Program was very
successful. Seventy-six children participated. Pro golfers, Larry Mize and
Angela Jerman attended this outing and offered a clinic. No financial report
was available.
Director of Golf
Bull Creek?s revenues are slightly higher than compared to the year-to-date of
2005. Golf outings at Bull Creek are no longer discounted. The expenses are
down as well for the month of May compared to last year and also down for the
fiscal year as well. We are catching up quickly on revenue for this past fiscal
year compared to the fiscal year?s end in 2005.
Oxbow Creek has controlled their expenses this year compared to last year. The
revenue is higher for June 2006 than compared to June 2005.
It was suggested to Nancy Wilkeson that an additional cart path be laid between
the 10 green and the senior tee on the 11th hole on the West Course. Mr.
Hagler thought this to be a frivolous idea.
Richard Hagler adjourned the meeting at 4:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Wilkeson, Secretary
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