Photo courtesy of Superior National Increased marketing of the entire area may help draw more golfers to Superior National at Lutsen.
Mark Sandbo and Jim King of the Superior National at Lutsen golf course committee brought an update to the county board Tuesday, October 27, 2009 on the state of the golf course.
King stated that a decline in the numbers of people playing the course is one of the challenges the course has been facing. Over the last decade, West End businesses have not been keeping pace with competition from outside the county, the source of 80% of Superior National’s business, according to King. Thecourse is struggling to stay afloat financially, he said. Sandbo added that they are working on a strategic plan that will facilitate the success of the course.
A partnership among the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) golf course committee, the staff, and the Friends of Superior National at Lutsen has made hospitality a top priority in marketing the course. Marketing efforts need to highlight other North Shore amenities along with the course in order to bring more people to the area, King said.
Sandbo said an application would be made to the Iron Ranges Resources Board next year for paving the path along the second nine holes of the course.
Commissioner Bob Fenwick said he and his family have golfed all across the nation, and not many courses in Minnesota have as much potential as this one. “Superior National is one of the unique assets in the entire country,” he said. “This is a really neat place.”
Superior National at Lutsen is one of the seven projects that will be able to benefit from the 1% sales tax that passed a county referendum Tuesday, October 3. The state legislature has approved use of the tax for capital improvements to the course.
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