Golf Course Passing Design Phase

Council members updated on changes, possible rates

By Aaron London Staff Writer

Saying it has been a long time coming, City Manager Jim Landon on Tuesday briefed members of the Palm Coast Citiy Council about the starus of the Palm Harbor Golf Course.

"As you know, we have been in a design phase for a number of months now," Landon said.

"Were ready to mover forward." Landon said he is excited about the golf course plans.

"I think it's going to be a nice upgrade and really be a boost to this neighborhood," he said.

Golf Course architect George Clifton, from Clifton, Exell and Clifton Golf Design Group, gave a presentation on the basic elements of the course redesign. "When we first looked at the problem, we had some constraints with the Centex tract>" he said, referring to the developer who previously owned the golf course property before offering it to the city. "One of the caveats they had is they had to keep the same number of units." in their developement. Clifton said the first step is to build a temporary clubhouse facility, utilizing the existing clubhouse parking lot. He then went through the design changes to the course itself, describing how some holes had been shortened or lengthened or had tee boxes or greens moved. In addition, drainage issues were addressed in the redisign., but overall the course would only be shortened by 25 yards. Landon said the Friends of Golf, a grassroots organization that advocated the city's takeover of the property has been involved in the design phase. "The only issue that I 've really heard is that we have an alternate for the cart path. Landon said. "It is an issue when it comes to playability right after rains." With design plans ready, Landon said the next step is to get bids on the actual reconstruction work. "we have also gone out to proposal for namagement conpanies," he said. "That opened last week and we got zero takers." Plans are to have a private company manage the course, including maintenance. Landon said all of the management companies that responded to the initial request for bids said the 5 year management contract was to short because of the burden of buying equipment and setting up operations would be costly.

"The exonomy and tighter credit markets is having an impact on thi, too," Landon said. Landon said while hthe city is not in a particular hurry to get a management company on board and under contract, it should be involved in the construction phase of the project.  Council member asked Landon how much a round of golf might cost at the course. "Forty to sixty dollars a round is the number that's been thrown around." he said. "That would include different rates for residents and non-residents. Council member Mary DiStefano was not pleased with the answer.  "I'm just a little concerned about the cost to golf," she said. "I think for a municipal golf course, I thought we were trying to be a little less expensive."  Landon said the goal is to be less expensive, adding that until a management company is found, what course rates would be is unknown. He added that economics should be the determining factor in setting greens fees. "It needs to be a business decision, not a political decision." he said. "We don't want to go to low because the golf course has to be self-sustaining." Landon aded that if rates are to high, golfers will play at other courses. "that is why you have a management company," he said.