HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 - Golf Board - Annual ReportCultural, Library, and Recreational Services
Golf Division
The City of Fort Collins Golf Advisory Board normally meets on the third Wednesday of
each month at 7:00 p.m October through April, and at 730 p.m. May through September.
In 2003, the Golf Board held nine Regular Monthly Meetings, and primarily met at the
Cdlindale Golf Course Clubhouse in the Phillips Room; however, the January meeting was
held at the SouthRidge Golf Course Clubhouse, the September time* was held at the
Collindale House, ati and the November meeting was held at the City Park Nine Golf Course
Clubhouse. The March 19 Regular Meeting was rescheduled to March 26 due to a snow
emergency, and the Regular Meetings of July 16 and October 15 were cancelled due to a lack
of pertinent business at the time. The December 17 Regular Meeting was cancelled due to
the holiday season.
In 2003, nine citizens appointed by City Council served on the nine -member Golf Board
They were Larry Buckendorf, Lauren DeRosa, Manuel Jimenez, David Johnson, Mindy
Markley, Claire Nelms, Bill Rutledge, Jr., Mike Sanders, and Grant Sherwood. The regular
terms of Lauren DeRosa and Bill Rutledge, Jr. expired on December 31, and Council in
December re -appointed Lauren DeRosa to a regular four-year term, and also appointed Dan
Preble to a regular four-year term replacing Bill Rutledge, Jr., who served 61/2 years on the
Board and was not eligible to reapply. Both terms are effective January 1, 2004, and will
expire December 31, 2007.
At their March meeting, the Board elected David Johnson as Chairperson, replacing Bill
Rutledge, Jr. who had served in that capacity for one year and asked to not be considered
again as his term was scheduled to expire in December. The Board also elected Mindy
Markley as Vice Chairperson, replacing David Johnson, and elected Lauren DeRosa as Board
Secretary, replacing Claire Nelms. Councilman Bill Beruchy continues to serve as City
Council Liaison to the Golf Board Manager of Golf Jerry P. Brown provided administrative
support to the Board, and Administrative Aide Stacy Kelley, who replaced PattyCarroll who
retired in January, provided clerical support to the Board
The most significant issues/action items that the Golf Board dealt with in 2003 were as
follows:
Collindale Clubhouse - The $2.65 mullion Collindale Clubhouse Project was completed in
January, and on March 28 the City held the official Grand Opening of this modem
"Colorado Lodge" look bi-level 14,683 square foot building. The Golf Board has been
involved with this project for several years, and is very proud that it is now a reality. The
total cost of the project is being paid fully by golfers through the Golf Fund using debt
service financing mechanism recommended by the Board and Staff and approved by City
Council. The Board and Staff recommended, and the City Manager approved, an additional
Surcharge Fee of $ 1.00 for each 9-holes of golf to be added to all Green Fees and Annual
Pass Per Play Fees to help meet the annual debt payments through 2021.
The new Clubhouse was designed by Vaught*Prye Architects of Fort Collins and was built
by Drahots Construction of Fort Collins, and replaced a 32-year old 7,700 square foot pre-
fabricated and sub -standard building on the same site. The main level of the building has a
fully stocked Pro Shop which has great visual access and control of the lst/10th Tees and
the 9th/ 18th Greens; a full -service Restaurant with two dining areas with seating for up to
142, kitchen, bar and lounge, and an outside patio deck with seating for up to 50. The
basement level has storage for up to 48 golf carts, limited women's and men's day -use
lockers and showers, a women's lounge, storage and mechanical rooms, and long-term
locker rentals. The building features rock mosaics and a sandblasted granite paver course
map artwork, has four restrooms, a convenient snack bar window access from the kitchen
directly to golfers outside, and has a 170 space adjacent parking lot designed for multi -modal
access accomodations. The Clubhouse provides a positive image and a modern, full -service
municipal golfing facility that our customers seem to desire and deserve.
Golf Play and Revenues Down in 2003 - The Board has been following this issue and has
shown a great deal of concern and has provided some input and advise to Staff. 2003 was
generally the worst year on record at the three City Golf Courses for both golf rounds played
and the percentage of revenues received. The same basically holds true throughout
Colorado as well as nationally for a number of reasons. The popularity of golf has declined
since 2001 primarily due to the poor economy, and also since the 9-11 terrorist attacks many
folks are spending more time and money with their families and less time at golf courses; in
addition to the fact that there has been an over -construction of new golf courses nationally
during the past decade. Specifically in Fort Collins, the storm drainage construction on City
Park Nine, the road construction adjacent to SouthRidge, the March blizzard, the very hot
July and August weather, and the West Nile Vino situation also all impacted our local
numbers.
We ended 2003 at 91.22 percent of projected Operational Revenues, which is the lowest
Percentage since SouthRidge became a part of the Golf Fund in 1991, which is a shortfall of
($212,135); and in 2003 there were only 124,327 Total Rounds of Golf played at all three
Gty Golf Courses, which beat the previous record low of 125,255 rounds set in 1985, the
first full year of operation at SouthRidge. The Golf Fund Reserves absorbed the majority of
the shortfall, but the Reserves have been all but depleted. Staff has significantly reduced
operating costs, including postponing capital purchases, and will work with the Board to try
and find ways to increase play in 2004 (and beyond) to improve our revenue situation.
2003 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Event - Our 7th Annual "Fort Collins Fore Kids"
Introductory Youth Golf Clinic, as co -sponsored by the Golf Board, was held at City Park
Nme on June 10th. A total of 159 girls and boys ages 7 to 14 attended the two sessions,
with 86 kids ages 7 to 10 years old in the morning and 73 kids ages 11 to 14 years old in the
afternoon. They received hands-on instruction on putting, chipping, driving, and golf course
rules and etiquette from our PGA Golf Professionals; and each participant received Power
Aide drinks and a "goodie bag" filled with golf and lesson information geared to youth, a
granola bar, a 2 for 1 swim/skate pass for EPIC or the City pools, and a 25 percent off
coupon for youth lessons.
Gry Park Nine Golf Professional Mike Goff, PGA, coordinated the event with the help of
his staff, and with the help of SouthRidge Golf Professional Dale Smigelsky, PGA, and
Collindale Golf Professional Jim Greer, PGA, and their staffs; as well as help from Golf
Board Members Mindy Markley, Bill Rutledge, Jr., David Johnson, Grant Sherwood, Larry
Buckendorf, and Mike Sanders. Golf Administrative Aide Stacy Kelley also worked at the
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event, as well as some other volunteers. Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services
Director Marty Heffernan was our special guest speaker in the morning, and Walrus again
provided free ice cream to all of the participants at both sessions. Fort Collins Country Club
Golf Professional John Hanrahan, PGA, and Paula Watson-LaKamp of the City Recreation
Marketing Office also provided donations and much assistance.
Annual Passes and Golf Fees - As expected, the issue of Golf Fees and Charges and the
potential elimination of all Golf Annual Passes was the most time consuming and the most
contentious topic of the year. In January the Board held its first discussions and began
reviewing the potential options for the Structure of Golf Fees and Charges for the
2004/2005 City Budget Process. The Board agreed to compile information on four specific
options, as follows: 1.) Total elimination of all Annual Passes, 2.) Elimination of all
Unrestricted Annual Passes and allowing Annual Passes during Non -Prime Times only, 3.)
Maintain the status quo and leave Annual Passes as they exist, and 4.) Expand the usage of
Annual Passes to fully include SouthRidge..At the February meeting over 50 citizens
attended, and others telephoned or a -mailed their comments, and virtually all of them were
opposed to the potential elimination of Annual Passes, although some supported retaining
Non -Prime Time passes only. The Board received much data and information from both the
Staff and citizens. After a great deal of public input and discussion, the Board voted 7:1
(Claire Nelms opposing) to eliminate further review of the 4th option to expand the usage of
Annual Passes fully to include SouthRidge.
The Board received and reviewed more data and information at the March meeting, and held
a lively discussion. As their preliminary recommendations for the upcoming Public
Input/Comment Meeting, the Board voted 6:2 (Claire Nelms and Bill Rutledge opposing) to
recommend that 2004 Daily Green Fees stay the same as 2003 without any Annual Passes,
and voted 7:1 (Claire Nelms opposing) to recommend that 10-Play Punch Cards in 2004 be
$120 for 9-Holes and $190 for 18-Holes (an approximate 20 percent discount)... Me April
Board Meeting was designated for Public Input/Comment of the Board's Preliminary
Recommendations. Again, over 50 citizens attended and again virtually all were opposed to
the Board's Preliminary Recommendation to eliminate Annual Passes. Several speakers
made some alternative suggestions, and most especially didn't want Annual Passes eliminated
for Juniors and Seniors. After the Public Input/Comments concluded, Board Members
discussed their Preliminary Recommendations and several proposed modifications or
alternatives, and there was much more discussion.
At the May Board Meeting again over 50 citizens attended, and many spoke to the Board
and again they almost were unanimously opposing the Board's Preliminary Recommendation
to eliminate all Annual Passes. Board Members reviewed and discussed many potential
amendment modifications, and after a lengthily debate, voted 5:3 (Dave Johnson, Claire
Nelms and Bill Rutledge opposing) as the Final Recommend to eliminate all Annual Passes
exactly as in their Preliminary Recommendation without any amendments.. At the June
meeting Staff informed the Board that the City Manager would be holding a Public Input
Forum on June 26th at City Hall to receive comments on Annual Passes, as the City
Manager makes the final decision. The Board also voted 8:0 to recommend the Staff s
recommendation to raise 2004 Golf Cart Rental Fees $1.00 each.
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The City Manager listened to nearly two dozen citizens of the nearly 50 who attended his
Public Input Forum, and after several weeks of thorough review, he decided that beginning
in 2004 that Golf Annual Passes will be available only during Non -Prime Tune hours. He
also agreed with the Staff Recommendation that the discount for 10-Play Punch Cards
should be 15 percent and not 20 percent as recommended by the Golf Board; and he agreed
with the Staff Recommendations adding $1.00 to Age 17 & Under Green Fees and providing
those same Green Fees to folks Age 75+...Then, at their August meeting, the Board voted
6:0 to accept the Staff Recommendation to establish 2004 Non -Prime Time Annual Pass
Fees of $450 for Adults and $225 for those Age 17 & Under and Age75+; and the Board
also voted 6:0 to modify Prime/Non-Prime Times for 2004 as recommended by Staff (and
eventually approved by the City Manager).
Golf Capital Improvements - The 1,200 foot long, 40 foot tall Collindale Protective
Netting Project adjacent to Horsetooth Road and the new sidewalk was completed in May at
a cost of $84,894 from Golf ALP's funding... Phase 1 (600 feet long & 40 feet tall)
SouthRidge Protective Netting Project adjacent to the newly -widened Lemay Avenue was
completed in August at a cost of $40,367 from Golf ALP s funding. Phase 2 wi71 be another
450 feet of netting when funding is available... Golf OOP's and ALP's funding was used to
install Treated Water Back-up Irrigation Systems at all three golf courses, as well as used to
make improvements to the SouthRidge Clubhouse Basement and Restrooms.
City Park Nine Golf Professional RFP - Due to health and personal issues, City Park
Nine Golf Professional & Concessionaire, Mike Goff, PGA, decided in September to not
renew his contract for 2004. Board Members Claire Nelms and Grant Sherwood served on
a five -member RFP (Request For Proposals) Review Committee to replace Mike Goff, along
with City Park Nine Superintendent Dave Sadler, City of Greeley Parks and Golf Director
Ron Williams, and under the direction of City Purchasing and Risk Management Director
Jim ONeill. Written Proposals were received from 10 applicants and the Committee
interviewed four finalists on November 20. The Committee selected David R. McCleave,
PGA to be the new City Park Nine Golf Professional & Concessionaire, effective January 1,
2004.
Other Golf Board Issues - Also in 2003, the Board ... Reviewed water issues and the West
Nile Virus situation ... In February, at the direction of City Council, revised their 2003 Work
Plan to add Investigating Further Options to Extend Golf Opportunities for Youth, and in
September agreed that theywere generally satisfied with existing Youth Programs, but
suggested more marketing and promotion ... In April responded to memorandums from the
City Manager on the 2003-2005 Council Policy Agenda with no new requests, and provided
the historic perspective on the 2004/2005 City Budget The Board reviewed the Proposed
Golf Fund 2004/2005 Budget in June... Conceptually approved 8:0 a request from neighbor
Tom Lloyd to sell him a small sliver of excess land at City Park Nine adjacent to H 6
Green/ N 7 Tees in June... Reviewed 10-Play Punrlt Card expirations and transferability
options and Private Golf Can Usage and several other similar fee related issues in
August ... Voted 9:0 in September to oppose a potential portion of the Fossil Creek Trail that
could be located on the southern border of SouthRidge ... Voted 6.0 in November to change
the date of a potential new public golf course in Fort Collins from 2005 to 2007... and voted
6:0 in November to Introduce Proposed Amendments and remove outdated sections of the
Golf Board Bylaws, as proposed by Staff and Ingrid Decker, Assistant City Attorney.
City Park Nine Golf Course • 411 South Bryan Avenue • Fort Collins, CO 80521 • (970) 221-66.50
Collindale Golf Course • 1441 East Horsetooth Road • Fort Collins, CO 80525 • (970) 221-6651
SouthRidge Golf Course • 5750 South Lemay Avenue • Fort Collins, CO 80525 • (970) 226-2828
Golf Administration • 215North Mason Street 3rdFloor • P.O. Box580 • Fort Collins, CO80522-0580 • (970)221-6350
FAX (970) 221-6586 • www.fcgov corn golf