HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Wednesday December 10, 2003
5:30 P.M.
GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
Staff Reports
New Business
4. 2004 Season Rates
Old Business
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
November 12th, 2003
Attending: Dan Pillard Bob Giles
Marc Rhoades
Hank McCauley
Public Request or Comment: None
Staff Reports: Dan Pillard mentioned the greens were in good shape. He mentioned
many trees were removed, wetland areas on cedar #3 and #7 were seeded and
complete, the cartpath paving project was complete with the section on aspen #6 green
and the trash dumpster area which will be completed in the spring. Dan mentioned he
authorized payment to Valley Paving for work completed.
New Business: Dan Pillard reported the following:
• All 27 greens, including the practice green were covered with turf covers.
• Year-end fertility programs included increased potassium levels, especially on
greens. The overall fertility of the golf course was increased to enhance recovery in
the spring.
• All greens were aerated and topdressed to enhance drainage.
• Fairways were aerated.
The committee would like to see increased involvement with committee members. Dan
Pillard read the by laws to the committee.
Bob Giles mentioned he would like to see the removal of stumps, Hank McCauley
mentioned the stump removal was low on the priority list.
Old Business: The committee discussed golf operations. Marc Rhoades presented a
draft letter based on the recommendations from the October 8th GCAC Meeting. It
moved and seconded, all in favor to include the letter with corrections with the minutes.
The committee would like to have input on the structuring of golf fees and will have Dan
Pillard mention that to Robert Strope, City Manager.
Adjournment
Respectfully Su
essppectfullySu b m itte
(I)
Marc Rhoades, Chairman
November 12, 2003
Dear McCall City Council,
The McCall Golf Course Advisory Committee is aware of the tenuous financial
situation of McCall's municipal golf course and some of the proposed solutions. We
would like to address the proposition of an individual, group of individuals, or company
contracting the full operation of the McCall Golf Course with the Council in this forum.
The McCall G.C. Advisory Committee feels that the golf course's operational
structure, as it currently exists, is a viable one. With this in mind, we also realize that the
current structure is not the only viable operational system available to the city of McCall
and its citizens. We recogni7r there has been a proposed option submitted to the city of
McCall that would eliminate the financial burden of the golf course on the city in the
short term and place full responsibility with the contractor with annual payments going to
the city.
The McCall G.C. Advisory Committee would recommend that the McCall City
Council and the city staff take sufficient time to study any legalities involved with a
transfer of this type. If the Council decides a fully contracted golf course is the proper
course of action, we also strongly recommend opening the proposition to a Request for
Proposal process rather than immediately accepting the first submission. Although the
currently submitted proposal may be the best option for the city of McCall, we feel it is
owed to the citizens of McCall to open the search in order to secure the most beneficial
contract. We feel this will give the city ample time to study the impact of a transfer on
bond structures, worth of proposed capital improvement repayment, and other items such
as these.
These are difficult times for the McCall G.C. The golf course and its profitability
has had many challenges in recent years and the Golf Course Advisory Committee hopes
the Council will thoroughly look at all aspects when making their decisions on how to
proceed.
Sincerely,
Marc Rhoades
McCall G.C. Advisory Committee Chairman
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, November 12th, 2003
5:30 PM CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
Call To Order
Roll Call
Public Requests or Comments
Staff Reports
Allan Morrison, PGA Professional
Dan Pillard, Director of Golf Operations
New Business
Report on Ice Damage Control
Golf Operations
Old Business
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
October 8th, 2003
Attending: Bob Giles
Roger Snodgrass
Marc Rhoades
Dari McKim
Dan Pillard
Hank McCauley
Public Request or Comment: Dari McKim mentioned the following was discussed
during the Ladies Golf Association Awards Luncheon on September 17th:
• Request for OB stakes on the south side.
• Ladies Golf Association will help on the golf course once a month during a workday
format.
• The ladies requested a rules sheet for tournaments.
• The Ladies would like to see all 27 holes utilized for the two -lady best ball
tournament due to slow play using 18 holes.
Marc Rhoades mentioned he would like to see yardage stakes along with yardage
bricks.
New Business: The committee discussed the golf proposal from Allan Morrison as well
as the privatization issue. The committee decided the best way to approach privatization
would be to go through the public bid process. This process will assure review of other
offers.
The committee will prepare a written recommendation to be presented to City Council
for the November 13`h meeting concerning the future operations of the McCall Municipal
Golf Course.
Old Business:
Staff Reports: Dan Pillard reported that preparations for winterizing the course were
under way.
Preparations began for the seeding of the wetland areas on Cedar #3 and #7.
Dan mentioned that he would seek an extension of the 404 permit to complete the
practice area at a future date.
Adjournment Submitted By: / ° � �/%�% U W
, Marc Rhoades, Chairman
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, October 8th, 2003
5:30 P.M. CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
1.Ca11 To Order
2. Roll Call
Public Requests or Comments
Staff Reports
3. Dan Pillard, Director of Golf Operations
4. Allan Morrison, Golf Professional
New Business
5. Golf Proposals
Old Business
6. SMR Improvements
Call For Additional Items
Staff Reports
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Wednesday, September loth, 2003
5:30 P.M. CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
Call To Order
Roll Call
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of August 13, 2003
Public Requests or Comments
Staff Reports
Dan Pillard, Golf Course Superintendent
Allan Morrison, Golf Professional
New Business
Year to Date Budget Report
Old Business
Cedar Golf Course Improvements
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
August 13th, 2003
Attending: Dari McKim
Max Williamson
Dan Pillard •
Roger Snodgrass
Allan Morrison
Minutes: Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the June 11h and
the July 9th meetings as written, motion carried unanimously.
Staff Reports: Dan Pillard reported he has a staff of 9 employees, 4 full-time and 5
seasonal. The temporary greens on #1-4 birch will be open on Friday August 15. Dan
reported that there would be a temporary green on aspen #4 for about two weeks for
recovery. The green is recovering quickly.
Allan Morrison reported that he learned a lot about the McCall Amateur and the
traditions associated with it. He is happy with the restaurant operation and the with the
pro shop staff. Allan commented the season was on track. Allan reported the golf
meeting was held at the Holiday Inn, citizens worked in groups to create solutions to golf
course problems.
Public Request or Comments:
New Business: Dan Pillard also reported the year to date figures for the golf course:
• $266,536 Golf Operations Revenue $449,052 Estimated Year End Revenue
• $ 3,414 Other Revenue $ 3,414 Estimated Other Revenue
• $ 89,957 Clubhouse Revenue $172,072 Estimated Clubhouse Revenue
• $359,907 Total YTD Revenue $ 28,763 Parks Transfer
$653,301 Estimated Total Year End Revenue
$740,560 Estimated Year -End Expenses
($ 87,259) Estimated Year End Loss
Dan Pillard reported on some golf course perspectives. He mentioned that a letter was
sent to the city rating the golf course a 1 on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the worst. Dan
reported that these comments are derived from the condition of the greens and since
the greens were bad everything else gets a bad rating. Dan said the reality is that the
tees and fairways are improved over last year. The driving range tee is better. The
approaches are improved. Areas lacking are trim work and mowing of rough is
infrequent, due to diverting crew maintenance time to grow -in and other projects.
Dan Pillard reported complaints were filed for the maintenance crew breaking the noise
ordinance. Dan mentioned it is hard to prepare the course for 6:20 am tee times without
starting early.
Old Business: Dan Pillard mentioned the irrigation and drainage would be installed on
cedar #3 and #7 fairways by mid -September.
Submitted By,
Marc Rhoades, Chairman Date
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
AUGUST 13, 2003
5:30 P.M. CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
Call To Order
Roll Call
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of June 1 ls' Meeting
Minutes of July 9s' Meeting
Staff Reports
Dan Pillard, Superintendent
Allan Morrison, Golf Professional
Public Requests or Comments
New Business
Golf Course Report
Old Business
Cedar Golf Course Improvements
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 9th, 2003
Attending: Roger Snodgrass
Marc Rhoades
Dari McKim
Allan Morrison
Dan Pi!lard
Max Williamson
Public Requests or Comments: None
Staff Report:
Allan Morrison — reported the importance of obtaining a feasibility study from an
accredited organization like the National Golf Foundation. The study will help show the
need for a tax ballot to benefit the golf course: Allan feels the city should provide an
additional $100,000 annually.
New Business:
Roger Snodgrass mentioned that there should be a room tax for the golf course.
Max Williamson recommended that the city give the golf course $100,000 annually.
After discussion the committee feels that an economic impact study was of vital
importance to the City of McCall. It was moved, seconded, passed unanimously to
recommend completing an economic impact study of the McCall Golf Course and the
committee is proceeding to obtain such.
Dari McKim presented a list of requests from the McCall Women's Golf Association:
• Install signs directing golfers to stay out of wetland and construction areas.
• Install vertical yardage markers at 100,150 and 200 yards.
• Not to dump grass clippings in the ditches, it slows up play.
• Install boxes on tees to collect broken tees.
• Paint the sign at the old clubhouse sight.
Old Business:
Submitted By:
Marc Rhoades, Chairman
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Special Meeting
MINUTES
Attending: Todd McKenna
Roger Snodgrass
Dan Pillard
June 11th, 2003
Marc Rhodes .
Allan Morrison
Public Requests or Comments: None
New Business: Dan Pillard reported the maintenance department spent $27,000 on
green covers and $5,000 on a seeding machine. That left a balance of $18,000 in the
budget for equipment and a total of $53,000 left for capital improvement from the city.
Staff Report:
• Dan Pillard reported all greens are seeded except #2 and #6 on Aspen. Cedar is
open seeding of #4,8,9,1,7. #2,3,5,6 were ok.
• Currently there are 4 full-time and 4 part-time seasonal employees.
• The parks and recreation departments are to be combined with parks taken away
from golf.
• The golf course superintendent will still continue as the city arborist.
Allan Morrison reported that the restaurant was scheduled to provide a seafood dinner
on Friday Nights. Allan mentioned that he received compliments on having the best food
in McCall. Allan reported the advertising budget was on track.
Submitted By:
, Marc Rhoades, Chairman
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Wednesday June 11, 2003
GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
Staff Reports
Minutes of Previous Meeting
New Business
3. Golf Course Report
Old Business
4. Cedar Wetland Improvements
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
Report on Ice Damage at the McCall GC
By Dan Pillard, CGCS, CA
Director of Golf and Parks Operations
City of McCall
Annually we monitor the turfgrass conditions undemeath the snowpack. This is done
annually around Mid March. This year we checked on March 10`h. At that time we
discovered a 4" to 6" layer of ice under two feet of snow. For the last five years we were
able to dig down all the way to the turf through soft snow. Each year we discovered the
turf was in excellent shape with good green color. During the last five years we allowed
the snow to melt naturally which occurred around the end of May.
After discovering the ice layer, several test holes were dug on several different greens.
We determined the ice layer was consistent throughout the golf course, mainly on green
surfaces. Within these test areas, we broke the ice to examine the condition of the turf.
The turf produced a strong odor which indicated the presence of trapped gases, limiting
gas exchanges between the turf canopy and the surrounding atmosphere. Shortly after this
discovery research was done to determine the effects of extended ice covers and its
relationship to the survival of creeping bentgrass. Expert opinion vaned from 127 days to
60 days for the ice to create permanent damage on bentgrass, and 60 to 40 days for
damage to annual bluegrass. Our greens contain 30-40% annual bluegrass. The following
contacts were made:
• Dr. Joseph Dipaola, Ohio State University
Syngenta Corporation
• Dr. Rock Gaussion, University of Nebraska
• Dr. Tony Koski, Colorado State University
• Dr. Joe Vargas, Michigan State University
• Dr. Mike Stafford, United Horticultural Supply
• Charles Golob, Research Specialist, Washington State University
• Jeff Spangler, Director of Agronomy, Troon Corporation
• Jeff Jackson, Technical Representative, Simplot Turf
• Matt Nelson, USGA Agronomist, Northwest Region
• Bob Vareck, USGA Agronomist, Northcentral Region
• Steve McCarley, Superintendent, Meadowcreek Resort, New Meadows, ID
• Rick Moony, Superintendent, Whitetail Club, McCall, ID
• Steve Maas, CGCS, The Valley Club, Haley, ID
• Ken Zimmerman, Superintendent, Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, ID
After contacts were made and the gathering of information completed, the course of
action was determined. First we had to determine when the ice was formed and how long
it has been there. We checked the local weather records and observations. Last year,
during the first two weeks of November the McCall Area experienced a very hard freeze
with little snowfall. This continued through the month. At that time the ground was
frozen near the surface at significantly higher than normal levels. A following period of
snowfall combined with alternate freezing and thawing periods led to a buildup of an ice
layer on the surface. Our greens were built like most greens, constructed and located in a
way to hold moisture more efficiently than a fairway or tee area. The surrounding
mounding, collars and controlled perched water tables contributed to a virtual ice rink on
our green surfaces. We believe the ice formed late in November or in Early December.
After concluding when the formation of the ice cover occurred, we determined that
when the ice was discovered on March 10t, we were approaching critical levels for the
survival of creeping bentgrass and annual bentgrass. We continued to check the
underlying turf daily from March 10-24t . The turf showed some decline in color and
odor during this time. The consensus of the experts was that the ice would kill a
significant portion or the entire green surface if we leave it until natural melt off in early
May. The main cause of death due to ice covers is the excess accumulation of toxic
gasses, mainly carbon dioxide, cyanide and oxygen. Another consideration was the
exposure of the turf to freezing and thawing conditions after the removal of the ice.
Winterkill or crown hydration will occur to the exposed turf without protection. During
these alternate freezing and thawing conditions, ice crystals form inside cell walls and
expand due to freezing. The expansion ruptures the membranes and draw moisture from
the cell causing death. The decision was made to remove the ice and take a chance on
saving as many crowns as possible. With crowns, the turfgrass will recover, even if the
leaf blades are dead. The survival of the crowns can be enhanced significantly with
synthetic greens covers. These specially designed covers keep heat in during daylight and
help protect the plant from frost and ice at night.
At the McCall Golf Course we removed over two feet of snow over the ice layer. We
removed the snow on 6 greens on March 21 st, 8 greens on March 22"d, 7 greens on March
23`d, and 7 greens on March 24`h The first greens exposed showed some color which led
us to expect them to be saved. During the last two weeks we have had multiple
freeze/thaw periods that have damaged the many green crowns we had two weeks ago.
We took a trip to Meadowcreek Resort, where they are using green covers. They looked
at our greens and commented that their greens looked like ours before they covered them.
Some of the greens we looked at were completely grown in. New meadows is about three
to four weeks ahead of us with weather. At this point we recommend covering the greens
along with an extensive overseeding program designed to enhance as much growth before
Memorial Day. The following measures can be made to minimize damage under similar
conditions, the McCall Area experiences these conditions about every 15 years.
Steps to manage greens in the McCall Area.
• Monitor ice forming conditions beginning at two week intervals after significant
snowfall.
• Determine the average natural melt off date and use that as a reference for
acceptable durations of ice cover.
• If significant ice forms prior to January, remove the ice and recover before any
thaw periods.
• Utilize green covers as a tool for cold weather turf management.
• Do not expose turf before Late April, Early May or until low temperatures are
above freezing.
" I n c r e a s e c a r b o h y d r a t e l e v e l s p r i o r t o d o r m a n c y .
S t e p s m a d e i n 2 0 0 3
" M a r c h 2 1 - 2 4 , r e m o v a l o f s n o w t o f a c i l i t a t e i c e r e m o v a l .
" M a r c h 2 4 - 3 1 , w a r m i n g t r e n d m e l t e d i c e .
" G r e e n s s h o w p r o m i s e w i t h c o l o r , c o l o r m a y h a v e b e e n p r e s e r v e d w i t h i c e c o v e r ,
m a s k i n g d a m a g e .
" A p r i l 1 - 1 5 , a l t e r n a t e f r e e z e / t h a w p e r i o d s t u r n g r e e n s o f f c o l o r .
" S t a f f r e c o m m e n d s o v e r s e e d i n g t h e g r e e n s w h e n s o i l t e m p e r a t u r e s r e a c h 5 9
d e g r e e s .
" S t a f f r e c o m m e n d s u s i n g c o v e r s t o s p e e d u p t h e r e c o v e r y p r o c e s s b e f o r e o p e n i n g
i n l a t e M a y .
S u m m a r y
I n s u m m a r y , s t a f f s u p p o r t s t h e d e c i s i o n t o r e m o v e t h e i c e . S t a f f d e c i d e d t o l e a v e a r e a s t o
t e s t b y l e a d i n g u n t o u c h e d s e c t i o n s o n s o m e g r e e n s . T h e s e t e s t a r e a s w i l l h e l p r e i n f o r c e
o u r d e c i s i o n . W h i l e i t i s a l w a y s e a s y t o s e c o n d - g u e s s d e c i s i o n s , n o o n e c a n p r e d i c t e x a c t
w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s o r e n v i r o n m e n t a l s t r e s s e s . T h e b e s t t h i n g o n e c a n d o i s t o t a k e
e x p e r i e n c e s l i k e t h i s , l e a r n a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e , d o r e s e a r c h a n d f o r m u l a t e a p l a n t o
e n h a n c e o u r a b i l i t y t o m a n a g e t u r f i n t h i s u n i q u e c l i m a t e . S t a f f r e c o m m e n d s t h e u s e o f
t u r f c o v e r s a s a v a l u a b l e t o o l i n t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f b e n t g r a s s , i n t h i s c l i m a t e . S t a f f
r e c o m m e n d s u t i l i z i n g t h e a b o v e p r o c e d u r e s t o a i d i n t h e p r e v e n t i o n o f f u t u r e o c c u r r e n c e s .
Special Meeting
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Thursday, April 24th, 2003
5:00 PM CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
Call To Order
Roll Call
Public Requests or Comments
Staff Reports
Allan Morrison, PGA Professional
Dan Pillard CGCS
New Business
Report on Ice Damage -Greens Recovery Program
Old Business
Equipment Replacement Program Update
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
RESOLUTION NO. 04-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MCCALL, IDAHO,
RELATING TO THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AT THE CITY OF MCCALL'S GOLF
COURSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of McCall's Golf Course provides services and use of the
golf course to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City of McCall's Golf Course charges a fee for services and use
of the golf course; and
WHEREAS, the fee schedule for the golf course requires updating;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MCCALL, Valley County, Idaho that:
Section 1: Refer to McCall City Code 8-15-1 for definitions.
Section 2: Fees:
ANNUAL SEASON PASSES:
Regular $525.00
College Students (under age 25) $190.00
Junior (under age 18) $ 75.00
Al - TN Lao. 00
9 HOLE RATES:
Junior $ 10.00
Weekend/Holiday* $ 25.00
Weekday $ 18.00
18 HOLE RATES:
Junior $ 20.00
Weekend/Holiday* $ 35.00
Weekday $ 29.00
*Weekend denotes Friday through Sunday
SPECIAL RATES:
Unlimited Weekend (after 2 pm)
Twilight Weekend (after 5 pm)
Friday and Saturday (after 2pm)
League Play with Discount
Unlimited Weekday (after 2pm)
Twilight Weekday (after 5pm)
Jmw
rAn"1L-N
$ 30.00
$ 26.00
$ 26.00
$ 12.00
$ 25.00
$ 20.00
Resolution No. 04-02
Adopted by Council April 8, 2004
Page 1 of 2
TRAIL FEES:
Trail fee --season
Trail fee --day
LOCKERS:
Season
$225.00
$ 25.00
$ 35.00
DISCOUNTS**:
Local Discounts (Advertised Specials) Up to 25%
Groups 12-24 Up to 10%
Groups of 25 or more Up to 15%
**Discounts at the discretion of the Head Professional
The Head Professional, with the concurrence of the Director of Golf Operations or City
Manager, may offer additional discounts as follows: Additional 5% group discount if the
group schedules a meal with their outing. Greens fee discounts up to 50% from the
start of the season until June 15th and after September 15th.
The City Manager may approve requests made by the Head Professional for additional
reductions in fees at any time during the season to encourage additional play.
Section 3: Refer to McCall City Code 8-15-1 through 8-15-2 for policies.
Section 4: That this resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and
approval.
Passed and approved this 8th day of April 2004.
CITY OF MCCALL
Valley County, Idaho
Kirk Eimers
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Clark
Deputy City Clerk
Resolution No, 04-02
Adopted by Council April 8, 2004
Page 2 of 2
City of McCall
Date: March 10, 2003
To: City Council
Cc: Dan Pillard, Golf Course Advisory Committee
From: Robe rope, City Manager
RE: Rates
At a special meeting of the Golf Course Advisory Committee, the GCAC moved to
recommend the revised rate structure attached to this memorandum. The structure
streamlines the rates and is fully supported by staff.
The recommendation includes some significant changes from previous years' rates, to
include a $50 reduction in the season pass to the 2001 season amount of $450. The hope is
that we will encourage more people to purchase the season pass and provide a solid support
base for the course. The creation of a special weekday rate of $15 after 2 pm is a great
incentive for local golfers to play more rounds. One of the hopes of the GCAC proposed
local rate was to increase play by local golfers and to foster more of a sense of ownership
and loyalty. This new rate should be very attractive to the target group, achieving some of
the objectives of the local rate. In an effort to encourage more play by families and young
people the season pass rates for juniors was cut to $60 for those 18 and under, with a rate of
$1.00 per hole for all play by juniors who do not have a season pass.
The end result is a rate structure of 9 rates, as opposed to the 19 variations last year and 11
for previous years.
The GCAC will work with staff and the new head pro on establishing base line data for use
in analyzing fee proposals in the future. They will also renew discussions on the merits of a
more family friendly course. The GCAC remains committed to the concept of a local rate,
and will continue refining their position for possible implementation in the 2004 season.
They are also still interested in an early pass purchase, potentially implanting it late this
season for the 2004 season.
We will develop a press release and have the new rates published prior to the public hearing
in March.
The last page shows the original committee and staff recommendations for comparison
purposes.
City of McCall
GCAC Recommended Rate Structure:
9 HOLE RATES:
Junior
$ 9.00
Weekend/Holiday*
$ 20.00
Weekday
$ 15.00
18 HOLE RATES:
Junior
$ 18.00
Weekend/Holiday*
$ 32.00
Weekday
$ 28.00
SPECIAL RATES:
Friday and Saturday after 2 pm
$ 26.00
League Play with Discount
$ 11.00
Monday through Thursday After 2 pm
$ 15.00
PASSES:
SEASON
$ 450.00
COLLEGE STUDENT UNDER 25
$175.00
JUNIOR (18 AND UNDER)
$ 60.00
OTHER RATES:
Trail fee --season
$ 200.00
Trail fee --day
$ 20.00
Locker rental --season
$ 30.00
*Weekend=Friday through Sunday
2
City of McCall
Date: March 5, 2003
To: Golf Course Advisory Committee (GCAC)
Cc: Dan Pillard, Director of Golf and Parks Operations
From: Robert Strope, City Manager
RE: Golf Course Fees —follow up
In an effort to help focus our discussion today, I would ask that we first
confirm our agreement on the following points:
1. It would have been better to meet with the GCAC prior to the Council
meeting to discuss the different views on fee structure in more detail.
2. We all support giving the head pro the ability to provide discounts to
increase play.
3. We all share the goal of increasing revenues.
With that said, I hope we can plan on answering the following questions before
the end of the meeting in this order:
a. Did we miss any fees in the structure that should be added?
b. Does the GCAC still intend to recommend a discount for early purchase
of season passes? (staff remains committed to opposing this for the reasons
presented)
c. Should we decrease the cost for student/junior passes significantly in an
effort to encourage play by youth, perhaps to $60 as one member of the
City Council suggested? (staff supports a reduction, to somewhere between
$60 and $80 without regard to residence)
d. Does the GCAC still intend to recommend a local rate? (staff remains
committed to establishing baseline data and not creating a local rate without
the ability to track impacts; staff supports working with the head pro to gather
information on our golfers to help quantify the groups that would be affected;
staff supports the concept of a card used to identify those eligible as the best
method for implementing this type of program in future seasons, assuming
information collected indicates merit in making the change and the cost of the
card pays for the labor and materials to make it happen; City Manager
supports reductions in off-peak M-Th 18 hole rates and M-Th 9 hole rates in
an effort to provide incentive for locals to increase play)
City of McCall
On a related note, I will continue to work on getting as much data from Mike
Buss to aid in our efforts to determine who our golfers are so we can better
market the course.
Regardless of what we do with rates, the key to success is to get the word out so
people can vote with their wallets on the rate structure. This means a
marketing plan. The first step is a press release outlining the changes,
specifically we should make a big deal about cutting the season pass rate. If we
make changes in the M-Th rates, we tout that as a way to acknowledge the
importance of our local golfers. I believe we can say with confidence that the
majority of our patrons during the afternoons those days, as well as the
majority of 9 hole patrons, are locals. With that in mind, it would be a fair
statement to say that changing those rates is intended to benefit that key group.
Equally important is the fact that we have data on the number of rounds
played last year during those times, and it was a small percentage of the greens
fee rounds. By reducing prices we can measure the impact over the coming
season to see if it worked. I am confident we will increase rounds across the
board, but if we show a higher percentage of increase for those times, we can
declare success.
I have brought equipment along that will allow us to input different rates and
assumptions to see the impacts on total revenues, a number of you have already
seen some of the data.
I asked our City Attorney if we can include in the resolution on fees that I have
the authority to reduce fees at any time during the golf season by up to 50% to
encourage additional play, she confirmed that we can. This would be in
addition to the discounting the GCAC recommends. I am confident the
Council would approve this recommendation. This could be huge in terms of
reacting to changing situations, providing a level of flexibility that we haven't
had in the past.
The other thing that we need to do some work on is answering the question of
how we make the course more friendly to families that Mayor Colton has asked
a number of times. There are several aspects to this, so it may be something the
GCAC should take up at a later time. One idea would be to make Wednesday
afternoons family day —reduced rates, no requirement that kids pay or play.
This would require a change in City Ordinance I believe, given the prohibition
of non -players on the course. I think the first questions to answer are do we
want to make it more family friendly, what does family friendly mean, and then
how do we do that.
2
Year
18 Holes
9 Hales
Twilight
Greens Fee
Rounds
Pass Rounds
Toumey
Rounds
Total Rounds
92
12191
3650
15841
16280
3944
36065
93
11513
3239
14752
13910
3698
32360
94
10335
3401
13736
14405
3878
32019
95
9758
2562
12320
10933
4178
27431
96
9671
4465
14136
11817
3986
29939
.. 97
8652
4214
12866
10409
3090
26365
98
8460
3760
1978
14198
11190
3888
29276
99
9556
6215
533
16304
12198
3972
32474
2000
9156
4863
2482
16501
13824
4090
34415
2002
8564
4527
2638
15729
7048
2906
25683
Averages:
9921
4041
1664
15627
12774
3858
30603
Average Percent of Total: 32% 13% 5%
42 % 13
•
Golf Course Season Pass
Analysis 1999-2002
High
Law
Staff Recommended
Rates
HighStaff
Revenue
Low Staff
Revenue
GCAC
local
Revenue
GCAC
Non -Local
Revenue
Total Pass Sales
FY 1999
FY 2000
FY 2001 est
FY 2002
FY 2003 est
FY 2003 est
Regular
243
277
260
171
299
270
$ 450
S 134,550
$ 121,500
M-F
21
24
23
MDSD
90
98
94
53
80
60
$ 85
S 6,800
$ 5,100
College
22
46
25
24
31
24
$ 175
$ 5,425
S 4,200
_
Junior
7
12
12
17
12
30
S 150
$ 1,800
$ 1,500
$99 Discount
266
Total Projected Pass Revenues:
$ 148,575
$ 132,300
Historical Revenues From Pass Sales:
Regular
$97,200
$114,955
$117,000
S85,500
$134,550
$121,500
M-F
$6,300
$7,200
$3,795
MDSD
$6,750
$7,350
S7,990
$4,770
$7,200
$5,400
College
S3,410
$7,130
$4,125
$4,200
$5,115
$3,960
Junior
S1,050
$1,800
$1,920
$2,890
$1,800
S1,500
S99 Discount
$26,334
$99 Discount lacl Rounds
$29,007
Totals
$114,710
$138,435
$134,830
$152,701
S148,665
$132,360
Tournament Round
Income Projections:
$ 38,582
$ 38,582
GCAC Non-
Local Rate
GCAC Local
Rate
Regular
$400
$415
S450
$500
$450
S425
450
Early Purchase
$425
$400
M-F
S300
S300
$165
_
MDSD
$75
$75
$85
$90
85
College
$155
$155
$165
$175
$165
175
Junior
$150
$150
$160
$170
$150
$80
150
$99 Discount
$99
$99 Discount Ind Rounds
50 percent
GCAC Non-
Local Rate
GCAC Local
Rate
Staff Recommended
Rates:
Staff Revenue
Anticipated
Percent of
rounds by
times
Green Fen
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2003
2003
9 hale M-TH
S13
$13
$15
$16
S16
S 14
$16
$34,748.45
14
9 hole (after 5pm) M-TH
S9
$10
SH
$ 11.00
$6,852.13
4
18 Hole M-TH
524
524
$26
$28
$28
S 24
$ 28.00
$79586.82
18
18 Hole after 2pm M-TH
$18
$18
$24
$20
$20
$ 16
S 20.00
$15,458.77
5
Twilight after 6pm SU-
TH
$17
S24
$11
S31
S 9
$11
$21,977.08
13%
Junior 9 hole M-TH
$10
Junior 18 hole M-TH
$15
18 Hale FSU
$28
$28
$30
S32
$32
S 28
$32
$131,745/5
26
9 hole F-SU/Holidays
S15
S35
$18
S20
$20
S 18
$20
546,51539
15
9 holes (after 5pm FSA)
$11
$12
S20
9 holes (after 5pm SU)
59
S10
18 hole after 2pm F-
SU/Holidays
$22
522
$24
S26
$26
S 22
526
$20,173.89
5
Junior 9 holes F-
SUBolidays
$14
S14
Junior 18 holes F-
SU/Holidays
$20
$20
Personal Carts (Trail
Fees)
Season
$175
$175
$195
$200
$200
$ 200
$200
18 Hole
S14
$14
$14
$14
S14
$ 14
$14
9 Hole
$8
$8
S8
$8
$8
S 8
$8
Locker Rental (Season)
$30
S30
$30
S30
$30
S 30
S30
High
Law
Projected Greens
Fee Revenues:
$357,057.76
$357,057.76
Projected
Tournament Rounds
Revenues:
S 38,582
$ 38,58E
Projected Pass Sales
Revenues:
S 148,575
S 132,300
Projected Total
Revenues:
$544,214.98
$527,939.98
Golf Course Season Pass Analysis 1999-2002
High
Low
Total Pass Sales
FY 1999
FY 2000
FY 2001
FY 2002
FY 2003 est
FY 2003 est
Regular
243
277
171
299
270
M-F
21
24
MDSD
90
98
53
80
60
College
22
46
24
31
24
Junior
7
12
17
12
10
$99 Discount
266
Total Pass Revenue
Regular
$ 97,200
$ 114,955
$ 85,500
$ 134,550
$ 121,500
M-F
$ 6,300
$ 7,200
MDSD
$ 6,750
$ 7,350
$ 4,770
$ 7,200
$ 5,400
College
$ 3,410
$ 7,130
$ 4,200
$ 5,115
$ 3,960
Junior
$ 1,050
$ 1,800
$ 2,890
$ 1,800
$ 1,500
$99 Discount
$ 26,334
$99 Discount Incl Rounds
$ 29,007
Totals
$ 114,710
$ 138,435
$ 152,701
$ 148,665
$ 132,360
Total Pass Cost
Regular
$ 400
$ 415
$ 450
$ 500
$ 450
M-F
$ 300
$ 300
$ 165
MDSD
$ ' 75
$ 75
$ 85
$ 90
$ 90
College
$ 155
$ 155
$ 165
$ 175
$ 165
Junior
$ 150
$ 150
$ 160
$ 170
$ 150
$99 Discount
$ 99
$99 Discount Incl Rounds
50 percent
Golf Revenues Rate Projections
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Special Meeting
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, March 5th, 2003
12:00 Noon CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
Call To Order
Roll Call
Public Requests or Comments
Old Business
2003 Season Rate Structure
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
City of McCall
Date: February 27, 2003
To: Roger Snodgrass, GCAC Member
Cc: Todd McKenna, Chairman, GCAC, Robert Strope, City Manager
From: Dan Pillard, Director of Golf and Parks Operations
RE: Golf Course Rates
Roger, please be informed that I am 100% behind the City of McCall with our new
golf course rate proposal. Recently Robert Strope, City Manager, Allan Morrison,
Golf Professional and I had reviewed the recommended rate schedule from the
GCAC. Although I believe our committee has shared previous success in our
assumptions with discounted season pass rates, our City Management Team feels
that without solid statistical data we are not willing to take risks with creative
discounting. We opted to give local incentives and discounts through advertising in
lieu of a local rate schedule.
With Allan Morrison on board there are many transitional problems he has to deal
with. At this time we feel the need to minimize any distractions to him, such as the
ones he will experience while trying to establish a local rate program. We
desperately need to replace equipment and to complete some course improvements.
If we do not meet our revenue expectations, we will not be able to improve the golf
course, which ultimately is our best marketing tool.
Allan and I are committed to compiling the support data needed for future
reference material. I value your input as a member of the GCAC and will need your
assistance in the future as we will be assessing the equipment modernization plan
and the many capital improvement projects. We will need to continue to provide a
desirable product for our customers and to compete with the growth of golf in
Valley County.
Please refer to the attached memo and rate sheet for further information. We are
going to schedule a public hearing for discussing golf course rates. Please feel free to
attend this public hearing. If you would like to review public records, please contact
the City Finance Director, Barbara Bauer, she will give you a public records request
form to fill out.
February 27.2003
To: Dan PiBard, Director of Golf and Parks Operations
cc: McCall City Council Members, Robert Strope, City Manager, Todd McKenna, GCAC
Chairman, GCAC members
From: Roger Snodgrass, Concerned Golfer
Dan:
Thanks for the memo dated February 27, 2003 addressing some of my concerns related to the Golf
Course Advisory Committee's 2003 rate schedule recommendations to the City CounciL
However, I still have some questions relating to the Golf Course Rates memo dated February 21,
2003 that you allegedly wrote to the City Council
Paragraph one: States that "I must make the best recommendation to the Council based on good
business practices, and that only with good data can you make good decisions." What happened to
the data that Mike Buss was required to provide to the City according that Professional's contract
with the City of MCCaIL Is it a good business practice for the City to pay the entire amount of the
contract before getting all of the data listed in the contract. Is it good business practice for the City
to accept the data without checking the data for accuracy and completeness. H this had been done,
the City would have more data to make sound business decisions.
Paragraph two: At the GCAC meeting on February 19, 2003, Allen Morrison, the new Golf Course
Professional said he could handle the new local rates as propose.
Paragraph three: Mike Buss also had a Point of Sale System, but the City does not have adequate
data to make good business decisions. The City will have to implement contractual controls to ensure
that the data is accurate and complete, no matter who is providing the data.
Paragraph four: Please explain why it would be a good business practice to REQUIRE the purchase
of season passes the prior September. Why would you be risking $15,000 in season pass revenues if
an early purchase discount program were to be adopted.
Dan, I will continue to support you, the GCAC, and the McCall Golf Course in any way possible.
Thanks, Roger
City of McCall
Date: February 21, 2003
To: City Council
Cc: Golf Course Advisory Committee, City Manager
From: Dan Pillard, Director, Golf and Parks Operations
RE: Golf Course Rates
After carefully considering the Golf Course Advisory Committee's
recommendation, I am recommending the City Council not adopt the
Committee's recommended fee structure. Ultimately I am the person most
responsible for the success of the City's Golf Course and feel that I must make
the best recommendation to Council based on good business practices, and that
only with good data can you make good decisions. Listed below are my
reasons:
We are about to enter a season with a new professional, the second in two
years, and any additional changes that will create distractions should be
avoided.
The major change the Committee seeks is the establishment of a local rate.
While I agree that attempting to increase play and a sense of ownership of the
McCall Golf Course are important to our continued success, doing so at this
time is not in our best interest. We have no data to evaluate the impacts, or
projected impacts of such a change. We do not know how many of our golfers
are local and how many are not. Allan Morrison, our new professional, will
have a Point of Sale system that tracks the level of detail we need to have good
data to make sound decisions. Until we are able to establish the baseline data
that answers these questions, we will not be able to measure success when we do
make changes in rates that differentiate between locals and non -locals. I would
recommend we defer implementation of this type of rate structure until at least
the end of the coming season to allow for the creation of baseline data so we can
measure success in the future.
City of McCall
Early Purchase Discount: we sell less than 300 season passes, and to reduce the
fee as the GCAC recommends, we would have to sell an additional 40 passes to
recoup the lost revenues. If we were able to use the funds for several months,
as Brundage Mountain does with their $199 season pass, perhaps it would
make sense. However, the short period between the date the season opens and
the date the GCAC wants to use for the discount, we would certainly lose
money. If we were able to require purchase in September for the following
season, it could be a viable option. I am unwilling to risk over $15,000 in season
pass revenues at this time.
When we sold season passes for $450, we had 299 sales. Last year the $500
pass, coupled with the $99 discount, resulted in lower season pass revenues.
Given the number of rounds played was down significantly across the industry,
we are unable to draw any definitive conclusions about the success or failure of
the $99 pass. I do not think we need to reduce the pass cost lower than $450,
but do think that reverting to the $450 pass would be a prudent change.
I think it is vital to allow the new professional to offer discounts during off peak
times to generate play that we would otherwise lose. I support the Golf
Committee's recommendation regarding discounts, with the added provision
that either I or the City Manager approve the discounts in advance. I believe
this will address some of the GCAC's desire to give the locals more incentive to
play while filling off peak times, allowing everyone to benefit.
I have included for Council review the rates from the last two years, the Golf
Advisory Committee's proposed rates, and my alternative proposal. I will
inform the Chair of the Golf Advisory Committee of my decision and ask him
to attend the Council meeting to respond to questions Council may have on the
different structures. It is my hope that I will be able to continue to work
effectively with the members of the Golf Committee, despite our different views
on this subject. I will also support Council's decision on the fee structure.
Given there are new fees proposed, we will schedule a public hearing for formal
adoption.
2
Committee
proposed
Committee
Proposed
Staff
Proposed
Actual
Actual
Regular
Local Rate
Greens Fee
2001
2002
2003
2003
2003
9 hole M-TH
$ 15
$ 16
$ 16
$ 14
$ 16
9 hole (after 5pm) M-TH
$ 10
$ 11
18 Hole M-TH
$ 26
$ 28
$ 28
$ 24
?
18 Hole after 2pm M-TH
$ 24
$ 20
$ 20
$ 16
?
Twilight after 6pm SU-TH
$ 24
$ 11
$ 11
$ 9
$ 11
Junior 9 hole M-TH
$ 10
Junior 18 hole M-TH
$ 15
18 Hole F-SU
$ 30
$ 32
$ 32
$ 28
$ 32
9 hole F-SU/Holidays
$ 18
$ 20
$ 20
$ 18
$ 20
9 holes (after 5pm F-SA)
$ 12
$ 20
9 holes (after 5pm SU)
$ 10
18 hole after 2pm F-
SU/Holidays
$ 24
$ 26
$ 26
$ 22
$ 26
Junior 9 holes F-
SU/Holidays
$ 14
$ 14
Junior 18 holes F-
SU/Holidays
$ 20
$ 20
Season Passes
Regular
$ 450
$ 500
$ 450
$ 425
$ 450
If purchased prior to
4/1/03
$ 425
$ 400
eliminate
College Student (Age 19
to 25)
$ 172
$ 175
I _
a 14 J
•
Junior (Age 18 & Under)
$ 170
$ 150
$ 80
$ 150
M-TH (excluding
Holidays)
MDSD Student
$ 85
$ 90
5cimidAT(s
$ 90
Students -Out of Area
$ 160
if,
Discount (1/2 off green
fees)
$ 99
eliminate
eliminate
eliminate
Personal Carts (Trail
Fees)
Season
$ 195
$ 195
$ 200
$ 200
$ 200
18 Hole
$ 14
$ 14
$ 14
$ 14
$ 14
9 Hole
$ 8$
8$
8$
8$
8
Locker Rental (Season)
$ 30
$ 30
$ 30
$ 30
$ 30
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Wednesday February 19, 2003
5:30 P.M.
GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE
Call To Order and Roll Call
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
Staff Reports
Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Minutes of January 8th, 2003 Meeting
New Business
4. FY 03 Season Rate Structure
Old Business
Call For Additional Items
Adjournment
GOLF COURSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 8u', 2003
Attending: Lynn Edwards -Swanson
Roger Snodgrass
Dan Pillard
Robert Strope
Dari McKim
• Marc Rhoades
Bob Giles
Max Williamson
Minutes: It was moved and seconded, passed unanimously to approve the minutes of
the December 11'h, 2002 meeting as written.
Public Requests or Comments: Lem Malone — Commented that the Yacht Club is
interested in sponsoring a golf tournament for the Sabala Foundation to be used to fund
the new ice rink.
Staff Reports: Dan Pillard reported:
• Staff is completing equipment repairs on cutting units and golf course equipment
fleet.
• A plan is being developed for the replacement of equipment.
New Business: Robert Strope reported:
• Golf professional candidates were selected from the short list of candidates received
during the selection process last year. The final candidates were: Kevin Burton,
Allan Morrison, and Ray Center.
• The final candidates will give a presentation to City Council.
• Assumptions on the last contract were $200,000 for food/beverage sales. In FY 02
the City received $146,000 in revenue. The city will look at lowering the contract
amounts based on the FY 02 figures. The city lost money plus paid bonuses. When
the revenue threshold is under $175,000 there is no reward for the city.
• Would like to see the Golf Professional recommend the fee structure to the Golf
Course Advisory Committee. This due to his operation being tied into profits and day
to day control.
• Recommended a local rate instead of a resident rate because of the issue of city
limits and taxes.
• Requested the committee to sponsor a new pro welcome party.
Old Business:
• Roger Snodgrass would like to see the development of tools needed to market the
golf course.
• Requested that when reviewing the rates to not discount the prime -tee times that are
already filled.
Submitted By: 1 or» in14—