Golf Board of Governors

Golf Committee Meeting November 27, 2018 at 4pm City Hall, 11th floor Park Department Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 Members: Eddie Fahnestock, President, Chair, Thomas West, District II, Cindy Renard, District III, Richard Schodorf, District V, Debbie Burch, District VI, Shana Appelhanz, Troy Hendricks, Michelle Haun, Hoyt Hillman, Alan Jenkins, Dale Goter, Troy Palmer Absent: Greg Ferris, At-Large, Dr. Michael Williams, District I, Cory Rainwater, District IV Fahnestock called the meeting to order at 4:03pm. Public Agenda Regular Agenda Items Approval of Minutes from 10/19/18 Fahnestock moved to approve meeting minutes from 10/19/18. West second. October Rounds Report Hendricks stated that rounds for year to date were down 7% and revenue was down 5%. We still have not paid any service fees or debt service payments. Revenue is down about $200k from last year. Staff is doing a great job controlling expenses. West asked in what areas the expense savings have been. Hendricks stated mostly in full time salaries. Fahnestock asked if there was a significant difference in weather. Hendricks stated a poor spring contributed to the decline. Golf Division Vision/Master Plan Fahnestock stated that the Park Board is asking for a vision/master plan for the golf division. Hendricks stated that admin staff has started the process and is looking for the committee’s input to finalize it. He presented information on a slide show. Fahnestock asked if there have been any specific improvements. Hendricks stated that we have been working to convert Auburn Hills to zoysia. Working to improve Bermuda at the other courses. The pump houses at Tex Consolver need improvements. Three bridges at Auburn Hills are being repaired. We replaced the siding and roof at LW Clapp and also replaced a bridge abutment. The parking lot at Sim was repaired. Schodorf asked what revenue we are getting from tournaments. Hendricks stated that we haven’t run a report, but Auburn Hills and Sim do the most tournaments. The tournament package information is available on our website. Schodorf asked if make an effort to reach out to non-profits or other organizations. Can the Pros or the assistants use down time to reach out them? He asked if we grow our concession income and how we compare to other municipal courses. He stated that the Remodeler’s Council would be willing to adopt MacDonald and would be able to remodel the clubhouse with donated materials. He also asked if the Pro is in charge of the superintendent, or can one person be held accountable for the conditions of each course. Hendricks stated that superintendents are experts in what they do that the Pros are not as knowledgeable about turf and maintenance. Schodorf asked what we can put in our model to show how we can be sustainable. Hendricks stated that looking at the sustainability report, it showed what we could save by closing LW Clapp and what revenue our new pass structure would provide. These savings would be significant toward equipment replacement. Debt service payments were restructured in 2003. But the problems have been on-going. If we close LW Clapp, we can accommodate the programs and golfers at MacDonald. If MacDonald is sold, our system would not be able to accommodate those golfers. Getting a driving range at MacDonald has been part of the vision for years. Through the partnership with First Tee, it has been made possible. He stated that we do not have formal agreements with the Junior Golf Foundation or USD 259. He asked what we will do with all those kids without our eastside courses. Fahnestock stated that Hendricks should be the one to present this information to the Park Board. Schodorf stated that quality of life is being left out of the equation. West asked how we need to proceed. Hendricks asked for the committee’s input on persuading the Park Board that we need MacDonald. Burch stated that a three course system would not meet our mission statement. Fahnestock stated that we need to point out how we are going to generate more revenue. He stated that Schodorf made a good point regarding tournaments. West stated that First Tee holds fundraising tournaments. Hendricks asked what else we need to put in our presentation. Renard stated that we need to develop our leagues and help grow and promote them. Burch stated that it sounds like it would require a dedicated person to do that. West asked what we should present. Fahnestock stated exactly what we have discussed, how to sustain a four course system. Hendricks stated that we still need to select the members that will be on the RFP review committee. The proposals were received today. They will be reviewed by the committee on Monday, December 3rd. The information will be made public at the Park Board meeting on December 10th and we will make our presentation then as well. Goter asked if the selection committee has the authority to reject all the proposals. Fahnestock asked who should be on the committee. Hendricks stated that West should be on the committee due to his representation of the First Tee. Fahnestock nominated Cory and Debbie. Hendricks stated that he would contact Cory. Fahnestock stated that Ferris should be his alternate. Hendricks stated that the meeting will be Monday at 3pm. We will wrap up this presentation and email it to the committee for review. 2019 Schedule Next Meeting January 8, 2019