Golf course manager Bob Fenwick
More than 30 people crowded into the Grand Marais City Council chamber on Tuesday, April 12 to hear the recommendations from the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Authority (EDA)’s golf course and personnel committees about negotiations with former Cook County Commissioner Bob Fenwick regarding the coveted job of golf course manager at the EDAowned Superior National at Lutsen (SNL). Although the EDA had voted to offer the position to Fenwick at a special meeting in March, meeting attendees appealed to EDA board members to change their minds.
Fenwick was selected after the golf course committee interviewed three of four applicants, Fenwick, Todd Gervais, and Heath Ekstrom.
Impassioned public comment
At the start of the meeting, EDA Board Chair Mike Littfin explained the public comment procedure and then asked if anyone wished to speak. Seven people did so, with Tod Sylvester, Dean Berneking, and Paul Pederson expressing support for hiring Todd Gervais, stating that he would be better suited to the position. Sylvester questioned why it was so important that the golf course manager have experience with governmental entities and be able to obtain grants. He asked if the golf course would ever be economically sustainable if the EDA feels it is so important that grant money be used to subsidize it.
Berneking noted that Gervais had attended college to become a golf course manager and said, “I think you are making a mistake, to not give our young folks a shot.”
Sandy Everson asked if the credentials of the candidates had been checked.
Kristen Anderson was the lone voice of support for Fenwick. “I’m just here to say Bob does have the credentials,” she said, adding, “He has the political experience— I’ve heard it referred to as ‘baggage,’ but I don’t agree. He has the experience and ability to get grants to help Superior National succeed.”
Paul D. Quinn and Pat Campanaro said the EDA should wait to hire a golf course manager until after the county completes its consultant review of the course. “I think we’re putting the cart before the horse here,” said Campanaro.
She added that funding the position through an assumption that there would be an increase of 3% in the number of rounds played in the next year was “dangerous” in light of the current economy.
Chair Littfin also read e-mails from several other people—Peter and Lisa Hemp, Nick Burger, Sharen Morrison, and Kasia Schmidt, who all requested that the EDA reconsider its decision to hire Bob Fenwick and to instead give Todd Gervais a chance at the job.
Schmidt’s letter summed up the frustration of several others. She wrote, “Todd did what this community has taught us to do. He followed his dreams and went off to college to earn a degree in golf course management, something he is passionate about. Paid his dues and got actual experience in the field that he loves. He then returns home to raise his family and that very same community says, ‘Sorry, you’ve done everything exactly the way you’re supposed to, you’ve even brought your young family back to a community you love, you treat everyone you come across with dignity and respect, but we don’t want you’….Is this really the message you mean to send to the kids in the community that go off to college and want to return to live and work in the place they grew up?”
Job offer to Bob Fenwick stands
Mark Sandbo spoke for the golf course committee and attempted to answer some of the public concerns. He said that references provided by the applicants had been contacted.
He said the committee realized the golf course budget could not support a position with a salary of $70,000, so after its hiring process, the job was offered to Bob Fenwick at a salary of $50,000. Sandbo said during negotiations the difficult financial status of the golf course was stressed to Fenwick, who then offered to take the position at less than what had been offered. He suggested an annual salary of $30,000, which would total $21,200 for the partial year of employment in 2011. “That takes care of the discussion of this position and the budget and how it will fit with the budget for the rest of the staff,” said Sandbo.
Bruce Martinson stressed that although the salary is $30,000, there are additional employment costs, so the impact to the SNL budget is still approximately $40,000.
Sandbo answered concerns that Fenwick did not have the golf experience of the other candidates by stating that the golf course committee felt very strongly that what the golf course really needs is managerial skills and ability to find money. “Our recommendation is that we hire Mr. Fenwick,” said Sandbo.
Bruce Martinson, who is an EDA board member and county commissioner, said at the county board meeting earlier that day, Commissioners Jan Hall and Sue Hakes had both opposed hiring a golf course manager at this time. He said they felt the EDA should wait until after the golf course consultant review is completed.
EDA Board Member Jim Hall said he would also like to see the golf course consultant’s report before hiring a general manager. He also expressed concern about funding for the position.
Littfin noted that this is something that has been debated by the EDA and the golf course committee since last October. He said the voluntary golf course committee has done a lot of work. He thanked the committee and the members of the public who spoke up.
“When they [the golf course committee] came to us a few months ago, the proposal was to hire a manager, not another golf pro. There have been a lot of questions; a lot of angst over this…I don’t want to be the person who says we’re going to throw all that out the window,” said Littfin.
Littfin made a motion to accept the recommendation of the EDA golf course and personnel committees. EDA Board Member Bob Spry seconded the motion, which carried with Sandbo, Littfin, Spry and Greenwood voting yes and Martinson, Hall and Don Davison voting no.
In other business:
. Golf Course Pro Greg Leland distributed a report on golf course activities. To date revenue from greens fees, memberships, pro shop, and the 3% amenities tax are up from last year, from $40,439 in 2010 to
$42,268 this April.
Leland also updated the board on advertising and marketing efforts. He said a customer appreciation day will be held
May 7, with free golf (cart rental extra), golf demonstrations and a car wash.
“Just a nominal charge per divot,” joked
Grounds Superintendent Mike Davies.
Leave a Reply