HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - P1038 COLLINDALE GOLF PROFESSIONAL4 ,
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What special, new, and/or unique proposals, ideas or financial
arrangements (if any) do you have to offer Collindale or the City of Fort Q U ESTI 0 N 7
Collins (i.e., payments to the City, in -kind contributions/service, etc.)?
I intend to work in partnership with the City of Fort Collins and with Collindale Golf Course. The following
ideas and proposals demonstrate my commitment to this relationship.
Reputation
■ Continue to keep Collindale as a US Open qualifying site.
■ Re -rate the golf course with the CGA due to the increased distance on some holes.
■ Bring in a "name" PGA tour player for an instructional clinic.
■ Bring back the boys state high school championship tournament and some CGA events.
Course and Driving Range
■ Make the following upgrades at my cost:
— Provide better targets on the driving range.
— Contribute $750 annually to pay for seed, sand and fertilizer for the driving range tee box.
— Purchase new driving range mats for off-season use.
■ Install a token -dispensing machine on the driving range that will take cash and possibly credit cards.
■ Closely monitor golf cart usage. I will make sure every cart has a number and use a tracking system to
rotate cart usage.
Pro Shop
■ Conduct two or three "demo days" each year where manufacturers come in and show their equipment
(currently, we do this once a year).
■ Install new carpet in the Pro Shop (cost split between city and myself).
■ Provide shirts for Pro Shop staff.
■ Continue to donate one unrestricted Junior Annual Pass annually in the name of Bill Metier (called
The Bill Metier Junior Pass).
Donations
■ We donate range balls to the CSU Men's and Women's golf teams. We also provide each player with
new balls for tournaments.
■ We donate our time and use of our facilities to Open Fairways, a non-profit organization that gives
disadvantaged and at -risk children the opportunity to learn how to swing a club and learn how the
game of golf is played. Without this organization, these children would be unlikely to ever get this
opportunity. We find the kids are enthusiastic and love the program, and we also enjoy and appreciate
the time we spend with them.
■ This year, Collindale was named the Colorado Open Fairways Golf Facility of the Year. On Oct 18, I
accepted this award on behalf of the Collindale staff, and I was honored and proud to represent the
City of Fort Collins.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 9
What services do you plan to provide for tournaments, leagues, and special events,
as well as cooperation and coordination with the Club Women's and Men's
Associations, the maintenance staff, and the restaurant/snack bar concessionaire? QUESTION 8
I believe the Head Professional should be a part of every event. My main concern is for every participant in
every event to feel like he or she is truly a first-class customer.
Tournaments
Courtney Houska has been doing an excellent job with our tournaments and leagues. I will continue to
work with her to ensure she continues to succeed and improve.
■ With the cooperation of the Tournament Director, I will provide score sheets, scorecards, and
scoreboards.
■ I will post a schedule in the Pro Shop listing all upcoming tournaments and special events, and the
dates and times the course will be closed to outside play.
■ Either I or one of my assistants will be on -site should any rules questions arise. We will do their
scoring and post the scores. The mobile tournament board currently used by Collindale is great; we
will continue to use it.
■ I will provide tournaments with clean carts, closest -to -pin markers, shotgun start hole assignments,
rules officials, cart assignments, and complete cooperation.
Leagues and Associations
■ Any day that does not conflict with other special events will be available for tournaments or special
League events and will be posted in advance. I will make the necessary staff arrangements for all
special events.
■ I will ensure the Men's and Women's Associations are treated with respect and know that we
appreciate them. These groups have been with Collindale since day one and are very important to us.
To that end, I will:
— Work closely with them to schedule their playing times and events.
— Encourage participation in these groups.
— Make sure that I or one of my assistants play with them from time to time.
— Periodically donate prizes for their major events.
Maintenance Staff
I have a great relationship with superintendent Doug Evans. I hold him in high regard and ensure that my
staff shows him the respect he deserves.
The Pro Shop staff and maintenance staff communicate daily to discuss tournaments and special events.
For a course to succeed, it is imperative that the maintenance staff and Pro Shop staff get along and work
well together. I have shown that my staff and I are very capable of maintaining an excellent working
relationship in this area, and we will continue to do so.
Concessions
Scott Manning, Manno's Grille manager, and I have a great working relationship, and we are friends as
well. I will continue to fully support his operation.
■ We are in daily communication about all of the issues involved in coordinating tournaments and other
events. Cooperation between the Pro Shop and Manno's Grille is a must to provide golfers with the
most enjoyable experience possible.
■ All food or beverages on the course will be provided by Manno's. I will work with Scott to cater
special events.
I feel our combined efforts will help Collindale continue to achieve the highest level of customer service.
James H. Greer Proposal Page to
Supplemental Information
I believe I have made many accomplishments throughout my career and in my ten years at Collindale and
hope to build on that success.
Career Highlights
PGA professional certification in Golf Operations and Retail.
Out of 28,000 PGA members, only 266 are certified in at least one of the six certification paths. Only
90 are certified in Golf Operations, and only 22 in Retail. PGA President Roger Warren says this about
the program:
"The certified PGA Professional has demonstrated a willingness to expand his or her education and
expertise through comprehensive coursework in their chosen career path."
Warren, who is also president of Kiawah Island Golf Resorts, continues, "As an employer, it is
important to me that all of our PGA head professionals have been through the certification process.
When they have achieved certification, I know they have the background, education, experience and
expertise they need to successfully manage the whole operation at each clubhouse."
Recognition as Regional Club Fitter of the Year.
As a golfer, I know how important the right set of clubs can be to a player's game, and I work hard to
ensure each of my customers gets a set he or she will enjoy playing with for years. With only four regions
in the nation, we were honored to receive this award from both Ping and Callaway, two industry leaders in
golf equipment.
Helping golf professionals learn the business.
It is very satisfying to see someone who has worked under me continue on in the field and be successful at
it. Class A PGA professionals Robin Albright, Rick Frye, Harold Garrison, Scott Lane, Dave McCleave,
Bob Vanscoy, Jason Walter, and Ben Welsh have all taken this path and found for themselves the
satisfaction, camaraderie and excitement this career provides.
Seeing my former students be successful at the game.
Many young boys have turned into men while playing on my courses, and it is always a pleasure to see
them develop a love of the game during their formative years. Dave McCleave, for example, took lessons
from me as a boy and went on to earn a scholarship at the University of Wyoming, where he became the
school's first All -American golfer. He is currently Head Golf Pro at City Park Nine. Rick Cramer played
the PGA tour in the 80s and won a Nike -sponsored PGA tournament.
Staying in Fort Collins for my entire career has given me plenty of opportunities to see golfers mature and
grow, and it's just fantastic to see them do well.
Collindale's recognition as the Open Fairways Golf Facility of the Year.
Open Fairways introduces disadvantaged and at -risk children to the game of golf, and we are happy to be
able to help them in their mission. Being recognized for it is just icing on the cake — the best part is seeing
the joy the children have at being exposed to such a great sport.
To sum up my proposal, I will simply say that I love my job, and I love being part of Collindale. I have served
as Head Golf Professional with dedication and pride for the past ten years, and I would greatly appreciate the
opportunity to continue to do so. Thank you for considering my proposal.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 11
Schedule
Annual Payment Schedule Statement
(To and/or From the City)
The City of Fort Collins will establish a schedule of City fees and charges, and will keep all revenues
generated from green fees, punch cards, annual passes, tournament reservation fees, powered golf cart rentals,
surcharges, private golf cart usage fees, reservation fees, etc. at the Collindale Golf Course.
The Golf Professional will acquire and own, and will keep all income/revenues generated from the sale of golf
merchandise, pull cart rentals, tournament service fees, golf club cleaning, golf club repair, golf rentals, and
from the operation of the driving range, locker rentals, and from providing professional golf
lessons/instructions, etc., and will pay for their own staff at the Collindale Golf Course. The Net Fee for
services paid to the Golf Professional will be of the utmost importance in our evaluation process.
Therefore, in consideration of the aforementioned...
You may desire to pay to the City of Fort Collins an annual fee payment in either a flat -rate amount and/or on
a percentage basis, and/or make an in -kind contribution of a specific dollar value. If so, how much
money/percentage/value will you (Golf Professional ) pay in each year listed to the City of Fort Collins to be
the Golf Professional at Collindale Golf Course?
2007
$26,000 (twenty-six thousand dollars)
2008
$27,000 (twenty-seven thousand dollars)
2009
$28,000 (twenty-eight thousand dollars)
2010
$29,000 (twenty-nine thousand dollars)
2011
$30,000 (thirty thousand dollars)
How much money annually must the City of Fort Collins pay you (Golf Professional) as a fee for services for
conducting business to be the Golf Professional at Collindale Golf Course?
2007 $65,500 (sixty-five thousand five hundred dollars)
2008 $67,500 (sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars)
2009 $69,750 (sixty-nine thousand seven hundred fifty dollars)
2010 $72,000 (seventy-two thousand dollars)
2011 $74,250 (seventy-four thousand two hundred fifty dollars)
James H. Greer Proposal Page H
Resume
James H. Greer
5740 ECR 30
Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-223-8420 (home)
970-221-6651 (office)
970-229-9882 (fax)
visor83@aol.com
Summary
■ 30 years of demonstrated ability in all aspects of golf course management, including negotiating,
budgeting, forecasting, and marketing.
■ Excellent interpersonal skills, integrity, and leadership.
■ Strong cost control and organizational skills that allow me to maintain a positive bottom line without
sacrificing superb customer service levels.
■ Skilled at training and retaining personnel and in working with them to maximize their potential.
Professional Status
Class A-1, PGA Golf Professional; elected to membership January 1, 1985.
Professional Experience
Collindale Golf Course
Head Golf Professional January 1997- Present
— Manage all golf operations including Marshals, Driving Range, Pro Shop, Club House, golf carts,
club repair, and lessons.
— Supervise development and training of staff in all above areas.
City Park Nine Golf Course
Head Golf Professional October 1978- April 1997
— Managed all golf operations including Driving Range, Pro Shop, Club House, golf carts, club
repair, lessons, and concessions.
— Supervised development and training of staff in all above areas.
— Achieved consistent sales increases in the Pro Shop over several years.
Assistant Golf Professional April 1976-October 1978
— Began as the primary teaching professional.
— Assisted Head Golf Professional with duties.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 5
Playing Background
■ Placed First in the Colorado PGA Golf Marathon in 1990 and 1992
■ Played in the 1981 PGA Club Pro Series
■ 1980 Colorado Section Apprentice Champion
■ Placed third in the Rocky Mountain Open in 1980
■ Played in the Colorado Open 1979-1984
■ Played on the Colorado State Golf Team 1973-1974
■ Participate in several Colorado PGA Pro -Am tournaments annually
■ Participate in numerous charity events annually
Education
PGA certification in Retail and Golf Operations, 2006
Club Car Technical Training Seminar, 2001
PGA Business School I and II, 1979 and 1981
Colorado State University, 1970-1976
Affiliations
CSU Ram Masters
American Numismatic Association
Interests
Family — Joanne (my wife), Katherine, Jessica and Jaclyn; also reading, numismatics, NCAA football, and
major league baseball
James H. Greer Proposal Page 14
FORWARD
In the ten years I have served as Head Golf Professional at Collindale Golf Course, I have steadily improved
the quality of services and the reputation of the course. I have ambitious plans for the future and the vision and
experience to make them happen.
I respectfully submit my proposal.
Sincerely,
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James H. Greer
5740 ECR 30
Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-223-8420 (home)
970 691-2044 (cell)
970-221-6651 (office)
970-229-9882 (fax)
visor83@aol.com
James H. Greer Proposal Page 1
PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL NO: P 1038 DATED THIS DAY OF OCTOBER 24, 2006
CONTRACT FOR SERVICES: Collindale Golf Professional Services
1441 East Horsetooth Road
Fort Collins, CO 80525
TO: City of Fort Collins, Office of the Director of Purchasing
and Risk Management
215 North Mason Street, 2nd floor (if delivered)
P.O. Box 580 (if mailed)
Fort Collins, CO 80522
To Whom It May Concern:
1. The undersigned, pursuant to the Request for Proposals, which requested proposals for a Golf
Professional to manage and supervise the golf operations, driving range, and pro shop functions at the
Collindale Golf Course, having examined all documents, the golf course site, and having become
familiar with all the conditions existing and relative to same, hereby proposes to operate same in
accordance with the proposal documents.
2. I acknowledge receipt of the following addenda and have included their provisions in this proposal:
Addendum No. 1
3. In submitting this proposal, the undersigned warrants that he has complied with all the provisions of
the "Request for Proposals, Instructions, and Specifications," and can furnish the labor and materials
and business acumen to carry out the Golf Professional operation using the highest of modem
professional golfing standards as employed at leading golf clubs and golf courses, in all respects, as
specified in the proposal documents.
4 The undersigned submits the following proposal, which includes all permits, licenses, insurance, fees,
and taxes, etc., included in the following documents, fully completed, as a condition of submitting an
acceptable proposal:
A. Proposal Questionnaire
B. An Annual Payment Schedule To/From the City
5. The undersigned also agrees that he will not withdraw his proposal for a period of sixty (60) days
from the closing date for receiving proposals.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
James H. reer
Head Professional, Collindale Golf Course
5740 ECR 30
Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-223-8420 (home)
970-221-6651 (office)
970-229-9882 (fax)
visor83@aol.com
James H. Greer proposal Page-2
What are your qualifications and personal attributes that R U ESTI 0 N 1
relate to your performance of our defined services?
First and foremost, I love golf. Except for a few part-time jobs while attending college, I have been devoted to
the golf business and the best interests of the game my entire life. The following attributes qualify me to retain
the position of Head Professional:
■ More than 30 years dedicated to the profession of golf.
I received my Class A card from the PGA of America in 1985, and my status has remained in good
standing ever since. From 1976 to 1978 I was the Assistant Professional at City Park Nine, then served
as Head Professional until 1997. I have been Head Professional at Collindale for the past 10 years.
In addition, a number of talented Class A PGA professionals have learned the business working for
me and have gone on to successful careers. This group includes Robin Albright, Rick Frye, Harold
Garrison, Scott Lane, Dave McCleave, Bob Vanscoy, Jason Walter, and Ben Welsh.
■ Realize the value of employees who love golf.
Honestly, golfers understand golfers. Patrick Finnegan, my Assistant Professional, has expressed great
desire to continue to work for me should I be awarded the contract. Every one of my staff members is
experienced in the duties and responsibilities associated with the Pro Shop and the game of golf.
■ Sharp focus on customer service.
Customer service is paramount. For example, I take special pride in the fact that I started the first club
repair business in Fort Collins. I have provided local golfers with fast, high quality service for all types
of club repairs. Patrick Finnegan assists me with all facets of club repair and will continue to do so.
■ Strong knowledge of all aspects of the golf business.
— PGA certification in Golf Operations and Retail (2006). Relatively few PGA members have
completed the coursework and testing needed to gain certification:
• Out of 28,000 PGA members, only 266 are certified in at least one of the six certification paths.
• Only 90 members are certified in Golf Operations.
• Only 22 are certified in Retail.
— PGA Business School I and 11 programs (1979 and 1981).
— Thorough understanding of golf products. The years have shown me what our region's golfers look
for in merchandise. I offer the best price on Pro Line golf clubs, and I can answer any question
concerning golf club specifications.
— Excellent fitting skills. Collindale was named Regional Club Fitter of the Year by Ping (2003) and
Callaway (2001). With only four regions in the nation, this was quite an honor for us.
— Work well with Doug Evans and his staff. I have an excellent relationship with Maintenance and
encourage my staff to do the same.
■ Strive constantly to improve my game.
I have been playing golf since I was nine years old, and have become a good player who is always
striving to be better. Playing in Colorado Section Events helps me keep my love for the game and also
helps me understand the golfing public.
■ Strongly advocate instruction and have trained some of the best.
I am proud to say I have introduced thousands of people in this area to golf through the lessons I have
given. Some of the more prominent golfers to come out of Fort Collins were instructed by me and later
established careers in golf. Included in this group are:
— Dave McCleave, current Head Professional at City Park Nine. Dave literally grew up on my
driving range when I was at City Park Nine. He was awarded a scholarship at the University of
Wyoming, where he became the school's first all-American golfer.
— Rick Cramer, who played the PGA tour in the 80s and won a Nike -sponsored PGA tournament.
It gives me great satisfaction to have played an important role in the development of these golfers.
■ Good health, physical fitness, and enthusiasm. My health is excellent and I work to keep it that way. I
truly love what I do, and if I felt I could not maintain my enthusiasm through the contract, I would not
submit a proposal.
■ Amiable, relaxed personality. I am a friendly person, get along with just about everyone, and am able to
remain calm and composed through almost any situation.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 3
What qualifications will you require of your assistant(s) and other employees? U ESTI O N 2
Please outline your staffing plans for peak, transitional, and off-season times.iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillillillillillillilliillillillillillI
A successful business relies on quality service, and I attribute much of my success to my employees. I strive to
hire people who are honest, polite, service -oriented, and well-groomed. I have run Collindale as an Equal
Opportunity Employer and will continue to do so.
But the single most important qualification is the love of golf. I eat, breathe and live golf, and I expect the
same from my employees. I look for good playing skills, but more importantly, a deep understanding of the
game. Golfers understand golfers, and to provide world -class service I know my employees must relate well to
golfers. A primary goal of mine is to provide a comfortable, relaxed feeling in the Pro Shop — a feeling that
encourages our guests to return.
Staffing
I have two Assistant Professionals who assist in day-to-day operations:
— PGA apprentice Patrick Finnegan has 17 years experience and works full-time. He specializes in
club fitting and has been instrumental in establishing our expertise in this area. During the four
years Pat and I have worked together, he has proved to have extensive knowledge and love of the
game, as well as superb customer service skills.
— PGA apprentice Courtney Houska has 9 years experience and is in charge of tournaments.
She handles the responsibility exceptionally well.
In addition, two very experienced golf instructors run Collindale's Golf Academy of Northern Colorado,
the region's premier instruction facility:
— PGA members Stan Fenn and Brian Lindstrom, who bring 40 years combined experience to
our team.
My decade of experience at Collindale has taught me a great deal about work scheduling and the need for
quality employees. If awarded the contract, I will continue to:
— Maintain my presence as the primary person on -site. I average 55-60 hours per week at the course,
and that number will not decrease.
— During prime time, ensure that two staff members are behind the counter and at least one of my
assistants or myself is on duty at all times.
Seasonal Plans
■ Peak season — The Pro Shop will be open approximately 15 hours per day. My assistant(s) or I will be
on duty throughout the entire day. A part-time worker will fill in any hours my assistant and I are
unable to be in the Shop (due to teaching, marshaling, or other related activity).
■ Transitional — Transitional times are the hardest to predict. Normally, my two assistants and I will be
the only staff members unless special circumstances arise. If we become unusually busy, I have four
part-time employees who will fill in as needed. If we are unusually slow, a single assistant and myself
will be the only staff. Experience has shown me that flexibility is key during this time of year.
■ Off-season — A single assistant and I will take over the Pro Shop during this time of year. It has been
my philosophy that the course shall remain open unless Doug Evans and staff want it closed. I have
found that with the success of the club repair and sales portion of my business, I can maintain a steady
amount of business year-round. The off season also provides me with the time to reflect and plan for
the upcoming golf season. It is my intention to be the full-time Collindale Golf Professional during the
winter months.
I will continue to operate the Pro Shop with scheduled hours during the holiday season, regardless of
the weather. I believe my focus on being on -site during the off-season is the main reason the Pro
Shop's holiday business has increased. We sell a number of punch cards and annual passes during the
holidays, in addition to equipment purchased for gifts.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 4
What conditions, needs or requirements do you see at Collindale,
and how will you deal with them (i.e., marketing strategy, niche QUESTION 3
customers, homeowners, maintenance staff, special Issues, etc.)?
Competition has become fierce in the golf business in Fort Collins, and I anticipate it will increase. To build a
successful clientele, golf professionals must actively promote their courses throughout the community. I will
address the needs at Collindale with these plans.
NEED Position Collindale as the region's premier course.
PLAN Continue hosting a US Open Qualifier.
In the eyes of serious golfers, hosting a qualifier event gives us instant credibility as one of the best
courses in the state. It also draws top -caliber golfers and gives us an excellent opportunity to
showcase all that we offer. (Note: I recently penciled in May 21, 2007 for the next year's event.)
NEED Maximize green fees.
PLAN Utilize the Internet.
Use of the Internet as a marketing venue grows daily, and a unique advantage of this venue is the
ability to modify offerings in real time. This is a huge plus for a golf course, where unused time is
lost revenue, and where the environment or use levels affect the product we provide. We can take
advantage of this by:
— Offering coupons on GolfColorado.com. Because we can modify our discounts almost instantly,
we can increase the discount when the weather is bad or business is slow. This lets us bring in a
discounted fee rather than no fee. We started doing this in 2006 and response has been fantastic!
— Creating an email list (planned for 2007). Subscribers will receive similar offers via email. For
example, on a rainy day we could offer two -for -one green fees or half -off on the driving range.
NEED Establish a presence on the Web.
PLAN Create a Collindale web site and improve the Golf Academy site.
The Collindale site will provide general information, highlight our special features, list new items and
specials at the Pro Shop, and allow users to reserve tee times. Ideally, we would also like to sell
punch cards and passes, and possibly merchandise.
NEED Tap into the large CSU market.
PLAN Create promotions and ads that target this group.
With approximately 23,000 regular, on -campus students, the University is a prime market that offers
new potential players every year. We will continue our student coupon promotion, which has been
quite successful, as well as our ads in the Rocky Mountain Collegian (Colorado State's student
newspaper).
NEED Attract product purchasers to Collindale.
PLAN Strive for excellence in the Pro Shop.
A successful Pro Shop benefits the City through sales tax revenue and by drawing golfers who want
to combine a round of golf with a purchase. I take pride in our reasonable prices and excellent
service, and will strive for continuous improvement.
NEED Expand our clientele beyond Fort Collins.
PLAN Advertise beyond Fort Collins and host regional events.
I have participated in the Denver Golf Expo for 14 years. Last year we gave out coupons, and many
were redeemed. We will continue with the Expo and look for additional opportunities to promote
Collindale to state and regional golfers.
NEED Cooperative relationships with Course Superintendent, associations and nearby homeowners.
PLAN Maintain open and active communication.
— I meet weekly with Collindale Superintendent Doug Evans or his staff to coordinate schedules and
plan for events.
— I meet regularly with the Men's and Women's Association presidents for the same reason.
— I treat homeowners with respect and fully address their concerns to help all parties live well
together. It is extremely important to me that we be a good neighbor. I also have found that good
relationships allow us to work with homeowners to help deter vandalism.
— Pat Finnegan and I will personally introduce ourselves to our neighbors along hole #7.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 5
What are your plans and related strengths and weaknesses to
operate the Collindale Pro Shop and Driving Range with regards to: QUESTION 4
A) Merchandise, B) Services Offered, C) Customer Services, D) Teaching?
Merchandise
PLAN Continue to offer a full line of superior products.
— Full club sets for men, women, juniors and seniors; single specialty clubs; all major ball brands.
— A wide selection of the latest men's and women's clothing.
— All types of golf bags (lightweight to heavier staff bags), head covers, and a variety of pull carts.
STRENGTH 30 years of experience running a pro shop; PGA Retail certification; successful Pro Shop established
and in operation; excellent relationships with all vendors.
Weakness: Selection ofjunior's equipment should be wider. I will expand our line.
Services Offered
PLAN — Explore on-line reservations and create a customer email list.
— Market club -fitting services to a wider audience. Increased sales of custom -fit sets will provide
golfers with a more satisfying game, draw golfers to our course, and help enhance Collindale's
reputation.
— Install token -dispensing machine on driving range.
— Computerize sales to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction. I will cover all costs associated
with this transition.
STRENGTH — Custom club fitting. The extensive training and experience that Patrick Finnegan and I have
acquired truly sets our Pro Shop apart from others in the region.
— Priority accounts with all major equipment providers, including Ping, Callaway and Titleist. If we
fit a customer on Monday, he or she will have the clubs by the end of the week.
— High -quality range balls are cleaned and replenished daily. Electronic range key lets golfers buy
balls on the range.
— Well -organized Men's and Women's Associations with efficiently -run tournaments.
— Well -established services: club repair, handicapping, course marshals, demo clubs from major
manufacturers, Demo Days, rental sets and pull carts.
Weakness: Fitting carts on the range would benefit gofers and improve sales. I will implement this.
Customer Service
PLAN — Ensure that my staff is a reflection of my desire to please the customer.
— Provide staff shirts at my cost.
STRENGTH — My loyal, experienced and well -trained staff members work hard and ensure continuity and
continued improvement.
— A decade at Collindale and 30 years in Fort Collins have allowed me to establish strong personal
relationships with many of our clients, and familiarity with almost all of our clients.
Weakness: Driving range users must come to the Pro Shop for more balls. Token -dispensing machine
will address this.
Teaching
PLAN — Continue to embrace technological advances in teaching as they arise.
— Maintain competitive pricing.
— Ensure instructors are active and enthusiastic and encourage them to continue their own learning
process.
STRENGTH — Collindale's Golf Academy of Northern Colorado is the region's premier instruction facility.
— The academy uses the VI Professional Coaching System, the top video training system available.
— GA instructors Stan Fenn and Brian Lindstrom have 40 years of experience.
Weakness: Students cannot sign up online. We plan to implement on-line registration.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 6
How do you plan to finance your operation, both initially and through the year 20117 QUESTION 5
I believe running my own Pro Shop for almost 30 years gives me a distinct advantage over someone starting
new. I have had the opportunity to work with numerous manufacturers in the industry, and I have worked hard
over the years to build and maintain excellent relationships with these companies.
I also am proud to say I have a spotless credit record. I have been a successful business person in the Fort
Collins community for nearly 30 years. My business background is solid, and I am committed to excellence. 1
have a solid business plan and settle for nothing less than success.
Financial Details
Specifics of my financial operations include:
■ $150,000 in inventory, equipment, and fixtures
■ $70,000 Business Line of Credit with Chase Bank
■ Line of credit with every golf supplier, including:
— $65,000 credit limit with Callaway.
— $12,000 per month credit with Ping.
— $1,500 to $12,000 per month credit with most other suppliers, such as Nike, Titleist, FootJoy,
Cobra, Karsten, Ben Hogan, Taylor Made, and Top Flite.
Additionally, I have over $300,000 equity in my home should I ever need to increase my credit line.
(During my 30 years in golf course management I have never needed to use this option.)
I have worked with Rita Glaser at Chase Bank and would encourage you to speak with her concerning my
credit history.
I have everything in place to continue this business: credit, inventory, fixtures, staff and experience.
James H. Greer Proposal Page 7
With regard to course monitoring (rangering/marshaling) and maintaining
an acceptable pace of play, outline specifically what program you will
implement. Also, how much will you (as resident pro) be involved? QUESTION 6
With golf becoming more and more popular, slow play continues to be a serious problem. It is a major issue
for many players and can discourage them from returning to a course. With effort and increased awareness
among players, we have been able to keep it under control. The average pace of play at Collindale is under 4
hours, and is often 3.5 hours. I believe that by keeping it a priority and remaining vigilant, we will continue to
keep ahead of the problem.
Course Monitoring and Pace of Play
I have implemented a number of solutions to address slow play. We will keep them in place and continue
to refine our methods.
■ Skilled marshals on duty, who:
— Monitor play 8 Am to 8 PM seven days a week during peak season and as needed off-season.
— Meet with me every other week to discuss problems and solutions.
— Give helpful tips to struggling players. For example, a reminder to keep the head down or to
follow through can help a beginner make better shots, which speeds up the pace and also helps
the player enjoy the game more. Etiquette tips explain how the game is played and help players
become more comfortable with such concepts as ready play.
— Maintain two-way radio communication with the Pro Shop.
■ Pace of play specified on score cards.
■ Collindale Slow Play Policy card.
We will continue to distribute a card with hints for quicker play. Players receive the cards at
registration and are told: "This card lists some tips for maintaining the pace of play; you can slip it
into a pocket on your golf bag. We like to suggest that new players or those who haven't played
recently look it over to remind them of easy ways to maintain the pace, and for a quick refresher on
course etiquette" This would serve as a reminder to those who need it, while also letting
experienced players know that Collindale cares about this issue and is working to keep it in the
front of people's minds.
■ Reminder before tee -off.
The Pro Shop staff reminds each group approaching the first tee that they are expected to finish the
first 9 holes in two hours and 15 minutes, and to finish all 18 holes in 4 hours and 30 minutes,
including breaks or time in Manno's Grille.
■ Focus on etiquette during lessons.
Our instructors teach our students about course etiquette and the importance of quick play. They
devote part of every lesson to slow play issues and provide hints on how to play more quickly. In
addition, all group lesson participants are given the Collindale Slow Play Policy Handout.
■ Staff announcements and assistance.
The staff makes timely announcements over the PA system to remind golfers of the Course Pace
Rating.
■ Presence of Golf Pro and Assistants.
— Pro Shop staff members tour the course at least once during each shift. I am not excluded from
this duty, as I believe the Head Professional must play an important role in play pace.
— The staff members speak to slow groups as they finish to give them tips and suggestions on how
to speed play for future rounds. These suggestions are, of course, given in a friendly and
courteous manner.
James H. Greer Proposal page-8