HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 - Golf Board - Annual ReportGolf Administration
215 North Mason Street 3rdFloor
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2265
970.221.6586 - fax
fcgov.com/golf
GOLF BOARD
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
The City of Fort Collins Golf Board held 6 Regular Meetings and 1 Special Meeting in 2013.
Board Members were Kevin Gallagher, Johnny Hodges, Shane Houska, Tim Martinez, Jason
Patello, Don Sinnar and Jim Snyder. The Board elected officers were Shane Houska, Board
Chairperson, along with Johnny Hodges as Board Vice Chairperson and Don Sinnar as Board
Secretary. Lisa Poppaw served as City Council Liaison to the Board. J.R. Schnelzer, Director of
Parks along with Bill Whirty, Manager of Parks, Mike Calhoon, Parks Supervisor, Dawna
Gorkowski, Parks Finance Supervisor and Dawn Worth, Golf Administrative Assistant, provided
staff support to the Board.
The Golf Board advises and makes recommendations to the Community Services Director and
the City Council as to rules, regulations, policies, administrative and budgetary matters
pertaining to the operation and maintenance of all City-owned golf courses, City Park Nine,
Collindale and SouthRidge.
2013 Budget/Fees
The Board was updated and provided input on the Golf Division’s budget.
Pass revenue increased in 2013.
o The cost of the Junior Pass was decreased and includes 6 buddy passes. The
Premier Card replaced the 10 Play Passes and a Super Pass was implemented.
In November the Board held a Public Meeting to discuss the Proposed 2014 Golf Fees &
Charges.
Marketing
Staff continued to work with the Recreation Department’s Community Relations and
Marketing staff on Golf marketing efforts.
The Board reviewed the Golf Marketing Plan in January & the Board was updated and
provided input regarding marketing strategies.
The Marketing budget was increased from last year.
Partnered with The Coloradoan in weekly “golf tips” articles written by City of Fort
Collins golf pros.
Partnered with CSU on golf tournaments and marketing opportunities for 2013/2014
basketball/volleyball season
Secured two sponsors for 2013 scorecards (First National Bank and Dellenbach Cadillac)
covered cost of printing scorecards ($6,000)
Purchased and distributed “City of Fort Collins Golf” pencils for all courses
Premier Card launched per Marketing 2012/13 marketing plan
Marketed and promoted the Premier Card from February through season (posters,
coasters, newspaper, online, social media, Recreator, local magazines)
Launched outdoor marketing at 6-7 shelters located within close proximity to courses
(June-October)
Launched advertising campaign in Greeley and Windsor areas (once a week from July-
September)
Golfers are now able to book tee times online for all three courses through the GolfNow
website.
Golf and Recreation staff continued to utilize Social Media (Facebook and Twitter have
over 1500 followers) to update golfers.
Participated at the 2013 Denver Golf Expo.
Continued with our Heat of the Day and Fall Coupons.
Implemented a 3 day Veteran’s rate.
Course Improvements
Staff reviewed the tree removal plan for Collindale Golf Course at the February meeting.
Public input was given and the Board voted to approve the tree removal plan as proposed
by staff.
In September the Board was informed that staff from the Golf Division, Parks and
Forestry would be drafting a Tree Management Plan for Collindale.
o The Board drafted a letter to staff regarding their input. Once a draft is in place
staff will review it with the Board.
Necessary repairs to netting were made & Maintenance staff will be doing weekly
checks.
Golf Expo
The Golf Division participated in the annual Denver Golf Expo.
Prizes and coupons were handed out.
o The coupons were tracked by zip codes to determine where the golfers were from
and to help determine if it would be beneficial to expand our marketing to other
areas
o We were also able to obtain a number of email addresses from the coupons.
The Board was informed of this decision at their November meeting that staff felt it was
in our best interest that be not participate at the 2014 Golf expo in order to focus on local
marketing.
Sustainable Practices
Advocate for sustainable improvements for water and energy conservation.
City Park Nine became certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon
International.
The courses continued the use and evaluation of organic products, fertilizers and
pesticides
More electric carts were added at Collindale.
Strategic Plan
Staff continued to work on the strategic plan in 2013.
The National Golf Foundation was hired to review the Draft Plan and to make
recommendations.
o Richard Singer visited the courses and met with staff.
The Golf Board was updated throughout the process and the final plan is scheduled to be
completed in 2014.
Policies and Procedures
Staff is reviewing the current Policies and Procedures Manual and has asked for the
Board’s input throughout the process.
Updates will be done by 2014.
Renewal of Contracts
At the September meeting the Board approved the renewal of Doug Perry, City Park Nine
Golf Professional, and David McCleave, SouthRidge Golf Professional.
Communication
The Board met with Dawn Thies from the Parks and Recreation Board regarding their
articles in the Coloradoan.
o She explained that the P&R Board felt they would like to take a more proactive
approach towards getting the Public to support the Parks system. The Board
would like to pursue this and will have further discussion in 2014.
Other Projects
The Board worked with maintenance staff to assure that the Memorial Bench for former
Board Member, Dan Preble, was replaced.
The Board approved teleconferencing when unable to attend a meeting to help assure that
there is a quorum.
Approved by the Golf Board on 11/06/13