Golf report
With snow covering the Gunflint Hills golf course it might seem an odd time to focus on golf, but the Grand Marais Park Board requested and received an update from Gunflint Hills Superintendent Paul Jones at the board’s December 1 meeting.
Superintendent Jones submitted an executive summary of the activities that took place at the Gunflint Hills golf course this summer and fall, with his plans for next summer included in the report.
Gunflint Hills revenue was up 25 percent over last year and up 50 percent from 2018.
All of the early plans to open, he said, were changed due to the coronavirus. “In May, we had to shut down our clubhouse and operate out of the front window with credit card payment only. We had a late decision to continue league play in a new COVID-19 friendly format. In addition, we had no play from Canadian visitors, and we had a 10 percent discount for Grand Marais residents.”
Jones said turf conditions have been improving at the golf course, and last spring, there was little damage to the greens following the winter.
“The addition of our fairway mowers really helps us in our production efforts, and we were able to get stripes in our fairways, something we could not do with the old mowers.”
Jones said he would try to acquire some more equipment (a leaf/grass blower and sprayer) to help with the golf course’s maintenance next year.
Getting some new golf carts for 2021 is a priority. Gunflint Hills’ most modern golf carts are 12-year old electric carts with cracked golf seats. The remaining carts are from 1998-2000, and Jones said they are not worth investing in other than fixing tires and brake cables.
With that, he said the plan is to replace aged golf carts with new gas powered carts. This coming year Jones will look at acquiring three new gas powered carts with warranties. He noted the new carts’ rental cost would be more than the price to rent the old ones. Eventually, the goal is to have 18 “good quality” golf carts that would require minimal maintenance from staff and ensure golfers a quality ride around the course.
Plans are to set up leagues earlier next year to increase the membership. “We have some promotions for city residents and students. We would like to establish a women’s league and we have created a late-season pass for latecomers and fall play,” he said.
Because of the coronavirus, the staff ran the whole season through the front window with credit cards only. The golf course will be run much the same at the start of the 2021 season, assuming the pandemic isn’t over.
Next year’s goals include growing current membership, growing leagues, focusing on tournaments, and focusing on marketing to help improve rounds.
The entire staff is expected to return for the 2021 season. That includes two clubhouse employees with the turf crew consisting of one full-time, one part-time, and one peak part-time worker. Jones said he would try to add two more part-time clubhouse attendants and might add a part-time turf crew person.
Rec Park update
Despite the late opening of the Grand Marais Rec Park due to the coronavirus lockdown ordered last spring by the governor, the year-end numbers from the park and marina nearly reached the projected 2020 revenue budget of $1.336 million.
At the end of November, the take from the park and marina was $1,324 million, with expenses at roughly $1 million, which was under the 2020-projected budget.
Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg released those numbers to the park board at the zoom meeting held December 1.
Reservations are coming slowly for 2021, noted Tersteeg. There were 23 reservations for May that were made in November. June reservations opened up on December 1.
Bids for removing the dilapidated public works garages are due at the end of the day on Friday, December 4. The buildings aren’t being used anymore following the completion of the newer public works garage at the old Tomteboda Motel site on top of the hill west of Grand Marais.
Beavers are busy building a new lodge under the North House Folk School docks. Tersteeg noted that this was the same location beavers had built a lodge in the fall of 2018.
There will be two seats open for an appointment on the park board in January 2021. Sally Berg has completed two terms and will have to step aside for a rotation. “Sally has demonstrated exemplary public service over her two, 3-year terms,” said Tersteeg, adding, “Three cheers for Sally for serving (and Chairing) the Park Board during what has been a period of tremendous growth and achievement for our department.”
Rita Hinchman, who was appointed to a partial term in late 2019, now holds the other seat up for appointment. Rita may reapply to serve a 3-year term.
Applications and more information are available from Patrick Knight at City Hall- communications@grandmaraiscity, 218-387-1848.
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