Board looks at improvements, rules for golf course

Funding, a proposed list of rules and other matters pertaining to Woodland Hills Golf Course were up for discussion during Tuesday afternoon's meeting of the Golf Course Advisory Board.

Board members received a funding update from local businessman David Shepherd, who along with Steve Buerge, helped lead an effort to raise funds to help the city purchase the golf course in 2011. Members also debated a proposed set of course rules and discussed other issues Tuesday.

All board members were present with the exception of Maybelle Mertz.

Shepherd gave the board some background on the purchase of the golf course by the city two years ago. He said more than $200,000 in private funding was raised to help the city with the purchase and operational expenses. Shepherd said Bourbon County has also pledged $20,000 per year for the golf course.

"A few years ago, the golf course was for sale and the community was concerned about losing the golf course and that Fort Scott may not be able to afford to build one in the future," Shepherd said. "Several people raised money to help the city purchase the course. Steve Buerge and I were amazed at the response we got."

Shepherd said there was also an effort to raise additional funds that would be used to pay for improvements at the course.

"There was a lot paid up front," Shepherd said. "Some paid over a five-year period. There are some still making payments on their pledges."

Currently, there are about $42,000 in discretionary funds remaining for improvements at the course. Within the next two to three years, there is about $10,000 to $20,000 in pledges expected to come in, Shepherd said.

"The city understands course improvement money can make the course more attractive, thus more play and that generates more revenue," he said. "The county wanted to be part of making this happen for Fort Scott and Bourbon County. And it helped the city decide to move forward."

Any improvements the board chooses to approve then go to the Fort Scott City Commission for approval. Board members agreed they want to spend money wisely and the hope is to make the golf course a "golfing destination," board member Jeff Collier said.

Shepherd was asked by board member Dennis Davis if he plans to stay informed on pledges for the course to make sure they come in. Shepherd said a letter was sent out to those who made pledges letting them know of proposed course improvements and reminding them of pledges that are due.

The board also received a report from Golf Course Superintendent Jon Kindlesparger, who said the course is down to two part-time and one full-time employees but has received help with some work from volunteers.

"Thankfully, we don't have to mow much," he said.

There was also some discussion about possibly purchasing some accessories for the course, re-doing the flags, and irrigation needs. Kindlesparger said he is concerned about soil at the course and pipes that are "starting to get old" as they are made of a type of plastic that gets brittle over time.

"We had a pipe that busted today," he said.

Kindlesparger added he estimates that within the next month the course will need at least $10,000 to $12,000 for irrigation needs. He said after talking with city officials, he learned there is $5,000 in the city's budget toward running and maintaining the golf course.

After some discussion on concessions offered at the course, Kindlesparger said, "We're not losing money on concessions, yet."

The board makes recommendations to the city commission concerning the repair and maintenance of the course.

Collier asked about the city's responsibility toward the golf course, how discretionary funds can be used, and how much funding is going toward other city-owned sites. He and other board members discussed the possibility of getting City Manager Dave Martin and Director of Finance Jon Garrison to attend a future meeting to discuss these matters.

"Maybe we can get a partnership for these basic things for running a golf course and move forward," Collier said.

The board also reviewed a list of 13 proposed rules of play and conduct of players and made some modifications before agreeing to send the list to the city commission for approval. Collier said some of the rules have already been adopted for the course but he felt the panel should endorse a "blanket set of rules" that are to be enforced at the course.

Board member Steve Anthony said he disagreed with a proposed rule concerning golf attire that called for no white T-shirts allowed on the course.

"That's outlandish," he said. "This is not a country club. It's a public course,"

The board also modified a rule that prohibited jean shorts from being worn on the course and agreed to allow white T-shirts and jean shorts. There will still be no T-shirts with offensive or lewd graphics or language allowed on the course, and only appropriate golf shoes or tennis shoes will be allowed on the greens, according to the rules.

There was also some discussion about a rule that states, "Every person on the golf course shall be actively engaged in playing golf, or, accompanying a person actively engaged in playing golf." It was reported at the meeting that there are people who walk or jog on or near the course on a regular basis.

Collier said other facilities in the city should be used for walking or jogging and he feels "the course is for golfing."

The board discussed allowing the public to comment on these issues at a future meeting. Any rule changes would ultimately have to be adopted by the city commission.

The Golf Course Advisory Board, which meets once a month, advises the city commission in all matters referred to them regarding Woodland Hills Golf Course. The board also independently evaluates all aspects of the operation of the golf course and makes recommendations to the city commission and city manager.