BOC Meeting 2-25

First-

Thank you all who came to the Board of Commissioners meeting last week. We definitely showed strength in numbers and many offered great information about the course, its history, and how if affects this community. GREAT JOB!!!

The opportunity to purchase the golf course for the city makes sense if we can get it at the right price-

Yes- they are going to have to make improvements to the course- to the course itself, the pro-shop, and the management-

All of the commissioners, included Mr. Nicholson, had very valid points regarding the purchase of the course- to get at the crux of Mr. Nicolson’s argument regarding the maintenance costs over time, we should absolutely be concerned, and our expectation should be that this will be figured in the overall operating costs of the golf course. The expectation is to raise the level of the experience out at the course, and that will mean maintaining the course will be higher than it is now- because the standard of play will be better- but so to will the revenues by higher in all profit centers (carts, green fees, pro shop, membership, rent out of the facility, and any other new and creative profit center).

Why?

Our expectation of the management should be that the customer is to be catered too- that this golf experience is like no other- if we can create this type of culture where the general manager knows the members by name, the chef knows how the members like their bratwurst- when the bathrooms are clean, the pro shop is sharp, the employees are driven to create that something extra- then the expectation should be that the course will make a profit-

As an example- walk in to a Chick Fil-A restaurant and take note of the cleanliness, the service, the culture, and the whole atmosphere- and buy a chicken biscuit- then compare this too the experience of any other fast food restaurant and compare the experience.

Stonebridge is just another golf course in a saturated market for golf courses- and the ownership is not interested in carving out a niche to where, over time- because of a strategic change in the culture of the organization- golfers seek to play here.

When Lakeland purchases the course- the expectation of the city should be that management create and cultivate this type of culture- and it can be done. This takes intention and hard work- but it can be done

To all-

Tomorrow is the Board of Commissioner’s meeting at City Hall at 6:00. All of you that are receiving this e-mail have been contacted by your neighbors who share your concern about the direction and the management of Stonebridge. It is important that we show strength in numbers by attending the meeting tomorrow. It is a great opportunity to hear our elected officials and the facts concerning Stonebridge.

This affects your largest investment, your home. After speaking with most of you, we all seem to be in agreement about the opportunity here for the City and our community. If Lakeland can purchase this at reasonable terms, make the improvements that need to be made to make it more marketable, and then have it managed in a manner that attracts golfers, this will be a profit center for our city. It can fund our recreation and parks programs without taxing our residents.

From my neighbors who have lived her for 20 years plus, I have heard great stories about how in the past- a limb would fall down on the golf course and within an hour it was picked up and disposed off. (This does not happen anymore)The ownership of the golf course, from my perspective, because they have it for sale and have done very little upgrading of the facilities, are not interested in running what used to be a five star golf course- but as residents we are interested in seeing it managed this way.

We have some very creative, smart, and business like people who serve on the board of commissioners and in our various committees. The benefit here is not for Stonebridge- it is for the whole city.

What can I do?

We need help at intersection of Fletcher Trace and HWY 64- we could not get to all the residents in that part of Stonebridge because we were limited on resources- but from 4:00-5:15 if we can pass out flyers near the speed bumps at this location to notify these residents, that would be great- I will supply those that are willing to do this with the flyers-

Also- please come to the meeting and let’s listen to what the commissioners have to say and there vote- just by being there, in numbers, sends the message. If we have enough folks- I would also recommend that we be located at Kingsridge and Davies Plantation. Please respond to this e-mail if you are willing to do so- also make signs that will attract the residents (ex. Save Stonebridge)

I would welcome your thoughts and ideas- but most of all, I would love to meet you all at Lakeland City Hall tomorrow at 6:00.

Also for more information on the sale of Stonebridge, please visit http://stonebridgehomeowners.blogspot.com/

Here are the address to City Hall: 10001 US Highway 70

Here are the address to the International Harvester for are voluntary home owner’s assoctiation meeting on March 6^th:

I.H. Managerial Park
Located at 4523 Canada Road,

Also- tell your neighbors and bring them with you!!!!!

See you there-

Respectfully,

Michael Stansbury

We are coming door to door!

Stonebridge residents: your neighbors are coming door to door with a reminder flyer for the Board of Commissioners meeting at Lakeland City Hall on Feb 25th and the HOA meeting March 6th at the International Harvester. We need strength in numbers and your ideas regarding the golf course and other areas of our community.

BOC Meeting February 25th- All stonebridge residents are encouraged to attend!!

Save Stonebridge

To All-

We are looking to mount a door to door campaign to cause awareness and to organize our Stonebridge community. We need a few volunteers to go door to door- passing out flyers and collecting signatures and e-mail addresses.

Last night I spoke with Wayne Butler who lives in Stonebridge and other concerned citizens in Lakeland regarding the golf course- it was great to get a history of Stonebridge- there have been times in the past when our community has rallied around a cause and have had a positive impact on the outcome- this is no different. It is my opinion that we need to rally around this cause for our community- if we can organize we have strength in numbers- then we can rally the other community’s leaders to this cause. If Stonebridge is purchased by the city- for the right terms- and managed properly- it will have a huge impact on the reputation of Stonebridge and Lakeland overall. We need action and ideas. I am in need of folks to go door to door on Saturday from 3-5, to collect signatures on a document that states:

We believe that it is in the best interest for the city to consider purchasing the Stonebridge golf course because it will:

• Add resources for Lakeland’s park and recreation facilities
• Add to our city’s green space and prestige of Lakeland
• Increase the property values of surrounding homes
• When managed properly- pay for itself and fund Lakeland’s park and recreation
• Be able to purchase and rehab the facility without levying taxes on the residents of Lakeland

We also will be passing out a flyer for our first voluntary HOA meeting at the International Harvester March 6^th from 6-7. We can even have dinner there or do potluck to promote a sense of community-

Nikki Wheatley has some great ideas on how we get the word out- signs, flyers, and an HOA newsletter- We all are interested on all of those things- and we can talk about ideas on how we pay for these things as well. Please e-mail back and let me know if you can help- and I need your great ideas-

Thanks- this will be posted on the website as well-

Respectfully,

(most important- neighbors that back up to neighbrohoods)

(get block captains for our parts of neighborhoods)

(possible pot-luck at HOA meeting)

Meet Time

To All-
We are going to meet at the model home at Winstead Farms Wednesday the 13th from 6:00-7:00.

Please forward this to your neighbors and get them to join the discussion.

We are setting up a meeting to meet next Wednesday from 6-7- at Magnolia Home’s model at Winstead Farms. Winstead is located right across from city hall. The location may change, but I will keep you posted. At this meeting we will discuss ideas about the golf course-namely do we want the city to purchase it and other concerns about our community.

Respectfully,

MS

Ideas for Stonebridge and how to pay for it!

There are quick solutions to every governmental problem- but quick is not always the best (the t word)- and the best answers can come from the government but most of the time they come from the people- I do feel that there are many creative ways to get the golf course funded and keep it in five star operational mode (that is as good as Spring Creek, Southwind and Memphis National)
If you have ideas on how to fund the purchase and rehab of Stonebridge- please feel free to share here. Here are some ideas:

• If the cost to redo each green is $25,000- offer corporate or business sponsorship for each hole and practice greens at a rate of $35,000 for seven years- If the sponsor pays upfront for the fee- they pay $25,000 or $5000.00 per year, after the seventh year they pay $2500 per year and they get a full membership (each year). The benefit for the business would be at each hole where information is displayed they business would be prominitely displayed- not offenisve marketing, but have signage that is distinct yet earthy. (overheard at the clubhouse- you really shanked that one at the #6 Autozone hole) When thinking of these hole marker or boards- don't think Germantown Parkway- think Germantown!
  
• You could have the same ideas for the driving range- (Welcome to the Links at Lakeland driving range sponsored by Fed Ex)
• The ideas are limitless- $600,000 for sprinkler system- if there are 600 heads in the golf course- charge $100.00 per head for sponsorship- 10% of it is paid. (see above picture)
  
• So above we just figured out how to pay for $560,000.00 of the $3.5 million it may take to purchase and rehab the course- again we can create more ways to pay for this, to make it profitable, and the city would own it without debt service so it could be very profitable-
  

How do the citizen's benefit?

• Special discounts on membership
  
• Invest the profits back into Lakeland Parks and Recreation
• Stonebridge appreciation value-(I see a day in the future when the homes in Stonebridge are selling for a ridiculous amount of money per square foot)
• Overall communities appreciation value
  

What are the community benefits?
As a community- Lakeland has the lake as a quasi identity- it is beautiful and useful- but not all of our residents get to use or enjoy the benefits of the Lake. If done right- the course can be a jewel in our community. When people are looking to move in Shelby County, Lakeland can promote it's schools, low taxes, and our golf course.

These are a few ideas- would love to hear yours-
MS

Notes from the Board of Commissioner meeting-

Last night PGA Master Pro Bill "Goose" Munguia gave on overview of the current state of Stonebridge golf course. These are some of the highlights of his report. He did a fantastic job.

• He stated first that a city owned course would improve the value of the bordering homes.
• It could be a symbol of prestige within our county and our state.
• It is the highest and best use for green space
• Protection from Developers with questionable motives.
• Special Pride of Ownership
• Special rates for city residents, city servants
• Potential recreation hub

History of Stonebridge

• Founded and originally private in 1972
• Currently owned by Linkscorp llc (all 4 golf courses they own in Tennessee are for sale)
• In the 1990's it was owned and operated by the Danner group and was profitable at a hight point of $400,000 net per year (current profit rate $132,000)
  
• Golf course was sold to current owners in 2001 and the maitenace, course, and profitability has declined each year- they are an absentee owner
  

Course Conditions

• Putting greens are unsatisfactory (currently bent grass)- they need to be changed out to bermuda greens and have to be reshaped (approx. cost $25,000 per green and golf course out 4-6 weeks)
  
• Fairways and greens are poorly maintained
• Irrigation system- unsatisfactory, lack of pressure- needs to be totally replaced- $600,000 total cost (wow)
• Fairway conditions are poor because the trees need to be pruned so the sun can nurture the grass
• Drainage is ok- some drains need to be replaced
• Clubhouse- needs to be remodeled $250-350K
• Sidewalks and entrys need to be repaired
  
• Staffing- the staff is not lead well by the ownership and underpaid by industry standards

Overview of Golf in Memphis:

• Absentee ownership is a recipe for failure
• Golf as a business- Memphis has an oversupply

What is needed to run a profitable golf course:

• Competent management (ed: I will say that I agree- if you have talented, creative people in place and pay them based on performance you can be assured that you will have a profitable business)
• Marketing plan
• Meet and exceed your customer base

What options are there for operation:

• City of Memphis model- (not good)
• National Management company
• Lease to local company
• Independent Contractor

Other notes:

• because the course has not enjoyed a stellar reputation recently as it did in the past- an idea to change the name to the Link at Lakeland
  
• This could be a course players enjoy
• Tons of potential