THE GREATER COLUMBUS GOLF AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF MEETING
July 28, 2009
The Greater Columbus Golf Authority held the scheduled monthly meeting at Bull
Creek Golf Course. Members present were Aubry Burt, Michael Silverstein, Nancy
Wilkeson, Floyd Washington, Carl Williams, Richard Hagler and Rudy Allen.
Rhudine Nelson and Rev. Willie Hill had an excused absence. Staff members
present were John Milam and Steve Brown.
Minutes of them June 23, 2009 meeting were approved as presented. Motion made
by Michael Silverstein and seconded by Floyd Washington.
Old Business
No old business.
New Business
First Tee Lease. A meeting is scheduled Monday, August 3rd with Blake Melton,
Chairman of the First Tee, Richard Hagler, Chairman of the Greater Columbus
Golf Authority and John Milam, Director of Golf to discuss the future of the
First Tee. It is believed that the First Tee will not fulfill their lease.
Nan Hopkins, with the support of the seniors at Godwin Creek, is willing to
give it a go. The Kirven & Yancey Foundations have committed $10,000 a year to
support the course. It will take approximately $60,000 annually to run the
course. Godwin Creek will receive no financial help from the city for
operations. The authority members have authorized Mr. Milam to go ahead with
Nan Hopkins if the meeting on the 3rd of August proceeds as expected.
CSU Lease. Mr. Jay Sparks, Athletic Director for CSU, has suggested to Richard
Hagler that CSU would like to renegotiate their lease agreement to utilize the
driving range with Bull Creek. The current term of the lease is 7-years at
$15,000 per year with a $500 increase every year. It was noted that Bull Creek
maintains the driving range (cutting the grass, fertilizing, raking the trap
and ball pick up). Mr. Sparks would like no payment at all. The authority
board is sympathetic with CSU, but our hands are tied. We have an obligation
to the City and do not wish to change the terms of the contract. Mr. Hagler
will notify Mr. Sparks with the boards? decision.
Saturday/Sunday/ Holiday Rates. John Milam brought to the attention of the
authority members that this past July 4th holiday, twenty-seven carts were
rented at $4.00 each. These golfers were either volunteers, employees,
authority members or trade labor. The course looses too much money when
prime-time carts are not available to the general public. All carts (104) were
rented before 8:30 AM. If the above group of golfers wants to play before noon
on Saturdays/Sundays/or holidays, they will have to pay the going cart rate if
they desire to ride. No guests will be allowed to play during prime-time for
cart fee only (they now must pay green fees, too). Michael Silverstein made a
motion to adopt the cart fee rate for Saturday/Sunday/Holiday play. Nancy
Wilkeson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. It will be effective
September 1st.
Membership Rates. It was suggested to John Milam that out-of-county residents
should pay more for green fees than in-county residents. It was noted that
citizens of Muscogee County do not pay any tax directly or indirectly to run
the operations at Bull Creek. The money is generated by the users of the
course. After some discussion, the authority members decided to table this
suggestion.
New Saturday Rates. Bull Creek has a new Saturday rate for play beginning
after 12 p.m. Twenty-five dollars will cover greens and cart for 18 holes.
Web Site Update. The web site has been updated and had 2,279 hits last so far.
Superintendent Report by Steve Brown
Aeration of the East Course was three weeks ago. Oxbow Creek was aerated last
week and the West Course will be done the first week of August. Fertilizer was
applied on July 6th and 7th and should last approximately 8-10 weeks. A growth
regulator has also been applied. Steve mentioned that the fairways have not
been dragged since applying the growth regulator. The greens are in the best
shape ever.
Steve is pleased with the Toro equipment. Steve has set the speed on the
mowers so our operators (prison labor) of the equipment cannot ?speed? on the
fairways. The tractors have had their controls adjusted to prevent speeding.
Bull Creek currently has two prison vans. The third van needs a new motor.
Parks & Recreation will look into getting another van for transporting our
prison crew.
Godwin Creek
See report under New Business, First Tee lease.
Director of Golf
Mr. Milam distributed the fiscal year ending reports for Oxbow Creek and Bull
Creek. Oxbow Creek did better this past year than previous years. Revenues
were $230,000 plus $150,000 from the general fund less expenses of $456,000,
less $11,508 from cost allocation and less $41,927 from debt services which
comes to a year-end net operating loss of $22,897. Bull Creek is about the
same as the past five years. Revenues were $1,285,665 less expenses of
$1,366,371, less cost allocation of $36,675 and less debt services of $18,172
giving Bull Creek a year-end net operating loss of $25,853.
Expenses for Oxbow Creek are $3,000 less and $13,000 less for Bull Creek
compared YTD ?09 than YTD ?08.
Floyd Washington asked about sirens being installed to warn golfers of severe
weather in the area. Bull Creek has signs posted that the golfers play at your
own risk. If sirens were installed, the course assumes the duty to forewarn
the golfers and puts the course at a liability.
Richard Hagler adjourned the meeting at 4:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Wilkeson, Secretary
Attachments
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