Management of Superior National at Lutsen was once again on the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) agenda in November. The topic was a carryover from discussion at an October 24 special meeting at Superior National at Lutsen (SNL). Chair Mike Littfin reported that the EDA had received a proposal from John Wait of Sirius Golf Advisors on managing SNL.
At the October meeting, a motion passed to enter into negotiations with Sirius for possible future management of the golf course.
Littfin said the proposed contract involved profit sharing, which the EDA could not agree to as a governmental agency. “So is there a way to take that out and figure out how we could hire an outside management entity? Or should we just leave things as they are? John Wait [of Sirius Golf Advisors] is still a consultant. He is still there to help us,” said Littfin.
EDA Board Member Mark Sandbo, who serves on the EDA golf committee, asked current SNL Manager Bob Fenwick what he thought.
Fenwick answered, “If the question is: Would the golf course be successful if it were under the management of John Wait, I would say yes. But if we enter into an agreement where we’re going to send off 50 percent of profits, I have an issue with that. Whatever you do to improve our financial position, that needs to go back into the golf course.”
Littfin agreed, noting that Sirius Golf Advisors had provided the EDA a lot of useful information.
Fenwick said it is very important to get the SNL bonds paid off as soon as possible, which would be a great savings. SNL would save approximately $130,000 a year. The board agreed to have Fenwick and the golf course committee put together a proposal to pay off the bonds.
“But we’re still in negotiations with Sirius?” asked EDA Board Member Bruce Martinson.
His colleagues said yes, but there was no further discussion.
In other golf course business, Manager Bob Fenwick reported that the new roofing on the clubhouse had been completed. He said the roofing project, which cost $11,960 and was funded by the 1 percent recreation and infrastructure tax, was completed in two days by Anderson Custom Builders of Grand Marais and he was very pleased with their work.
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