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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Advisory Commission Minutes 11222022 GOLF ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 22, 2022 City Hall, Galesburg, Illinois Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 3:59 p.m. by David Selkirk Roll Call: Present: Steve Cheesman, Jerry Reynolds, Paul Sandborg, David Selkirk, Greenskeeper Matt Miles, City of Galesburg: Director of Parks and Recreation Elizabeth Varner, Parks Superintendent Don Miles, Head Golf Professional Bryan Luedtke, Greenskeeper Matt Miles Absent: Rodney Bunch Minutes: October 2022 minutes were approved with motions from Steve Cheesman and Jerry Reynolds. Greenskeeper Report: Matt Miles provide the Greenskeeper report. There has been mowing the tall grass and maintaining weed control. Irrigation and bathrooms have been shut down and winterized. Golf accessories have been brought inside for storage. These include paint and the ball washers, so they do not freeze. Snow fencing was put up around sand bunkers on holes #4 and #7. The fencing keeps the sand from blowing out during high winds. Tees and approach areas have been aerated. Plugs were broken up and organic matter blown off. The rough is starting to be aerated with the tractor and bannerman fracture tine attachment. Matt reported that fall course clean up is nearly complete. He stated that tree trimming, and equipment maintenance could be good winter projects. Director of Parks and Recreation, Elizabeth Varner, stated that the bridge is still in the budget when asked. Commissioners discussed that new drainage would add to the revenue of the golf course if it could be added to the budget in the future. Golf Professional Report: Bryan Luedtke provided a report to the commission and an overview of October and November. There were 2,758 rounds played in October, up from 496 played in 2021. This is a new October record. There were four new records this year with around 500 playing rounds. The records months were for May, June, July, and October since first started tracking in 2015. November is around 1,100 rounds at this time being played. This brings the total rounds of gold to 28,400 rounds and on the way to 29,000. Bryan reported that revenues are up 32% in merchandise, food, and beverage sales. The Knox County CEO Golf Outing was on Friday, October 28, 2022. This was a Shotgun Start and a Two Person Scramble format. There were 72 golfers. The Knox County CEO group organized a good event by finding 18-hole sponsors, which took the revenue over the top with $100 per hole for a total of $1800. Mayor Schwartzman highlighted the CEO class of 2023 on the “biggest payout in Knox County CEO’s history". The Tribute Walkway has sold a total of 46 bricks, with a revenue of $4,600. There is one brick ready to be installed and another one ordered. It was suggested to consider including a free brick for corporate sponsors. Corporate sponsors included Dena Turner for scorecards, Dave Dunn for range balls and Country Financial as a blanket corporate sponsor. Bryan attended the Iowa PGA Merchandise Show and Seminars. The motivational speaker was Dan Gable. He was an Olympic Wrestler during 1972. He spoke about self-motivation, and staff motivation. Attending this allows Bryan to obtain CEU’s. These are required to maintain his PGA Status. Bryan attended three seminars and the Fall Business Meeting. The Iowa PGA Awards Presentation was during the luncheon, in which Bryan received his award for Public Merchandiser of the Year. This is determined by the percentage of increased. Mr. David Selkirk read a letter from the PGA honoring Bryan. Bunker Links tournament program has done a great job this year. Bryan explained the seminars he attended focused on balancing work and life as the theme and a trending topic. He also listened to how to create more students. Bryan did not teach as much this year as compared to last year. The luncheon also discussed the tournament calendar. Greenskeeper, Matt Miles, also attends educational opportunities to help improve the course. Don Miles explained that the past Attorney suggested not having the scooters. The company may not want them back. Bryan also did not want the scooters. There were basically a novelty and not a financial benefit. Bunker Links Golf Course and Pekin Golf Course both had the scooters the past three years. There was discussion from last month’s meeting regarding golf tees. Mr. Tom Webber was a guest and explained that hold #7 is difficult and is a Par 4. Commissioners were reminded that Senior and Ladies Tees were built a few years ago. Mr. Webber would like #7 moved back to start at the fairway like #13 for women and senior players and suggested building another tee. Matt Miles suggested that the tees could go back as far as it could, just like #10. Tees go up to the silver and gold. It was also discussed that irrigation is an issue when determining distance. Bryan suggested to edge the Tee to the fairway about 80 yards, but Don had explained the need to keep it close to the fairway, or irrigation would be needed. Matt turned on the sprinkler in the spiring to see how far it reached. Matt stated there is a possibility to move into the rough and could move the fairway up. The fairway could be shortened and then it could grow longer. David Selkirk would like to move the tee up on #4, #6, #8 and #9. Everyone that is on silver moves up. It was suggested to figure out the irrigation and replace it. It was suggested to shorten and moving the Jr. orange marker. Bryan and Rodney Bunch suggested looking at creating a longer tee on #3. Don is looking at these holes for a resolution such as adding dirt and seed. New Business: New City Manager, Mr. Gerald Smith, was introduced to the Commissioners. There was discussion on having an event, such as “Divots at Dawn” to educate on repairing divots and perhaps having volunteers do this. Ball markers could be on the green and members could repair in return for a free beverage. David Selkirk thanked everyone for serving on the Commission. It was announced that Steve Cheeseman was running for City Council for Ward 7. Elizabeth Varner will email the minutes to everyone since this is the last meeting until spring. NEXT MEETING: March 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.