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