2-28-2021

Good Morning,
This past week consisted of interviewing part time employees, accepting applications for the clubhouse and grounds, and starting the hiring process for the 2021 golf season.  There are still six employees who need to turn their application in before the hiring process begins.  There will be a couple of new employees working in the clubhouse and the staff on the grounds will remain the same as last season.

The Capital Improvement Plan for the 2022 budget process includes the purchase of ten new rental carts and a new rough mower for the grounds.  We currently have a fleet of 20 rental carts and the addition of ten more will definitely help accommodate our customers during peak playing times and events.  In the past we have used private carts to meet these needs.  I have accepted bids from two vendors on the rental cart purchase and also acquired a state bid to replace the Toro rough mower.  These items will move forward for council approval and be purchased after July 1.

Our website has been updated for the 2021 event schedule.  We will continue to run some of the private events over a two day schedule in order to limit the number of people in the clubhouse as well as free up more tee times for open golf.  The cross country meets have also been scheduled for the upcoming fall.  I would encourage people to contact the clubhouse for open golf tee times during days of events.  The golf course is not always closed to the public.

Lastly, I attended a training session on the new Parks and Recreation software that will be implemented at the golf course for 2021.  This software will allow us to have up to date information on all our passholders.  The plan is to have a card to scan upon registration that will bring the player’s information up on the screen.  It will show what type of pass the golfer has purchased and if payments are up to date.  It will be a lot of information to obtain and enter at the start but will make things much simpler as we move forward.
The golf board will be discussing our 2021 membership drive at the meeting Monday evening.  Last year we planned this event but it was cancelled due to COVID 19.  We all look forward to getting this event scheduled and kicking off a great start to 2021.
Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.  I don’t always have the answers but together we can definitely be more informed.  Enjoy your day!

—
Brian C Mohr

Director of Golf Operations
City of Spencer

101 W 5th Street

Spencer Municipal Golf Course

Spencer, Iowa 51301

712-260-5370

www.spencermunigolf.com

2-21-2021

Good Morning,
I returned from vacation a couple of weeks ago and spent a lot of time getting caught up on a lot of office work.  I also attended several meetings that addressed the 2021/22 golf course budget.  The bottom line will stay very consistent with the current budget operations.  This will allow us to operate the golf course with no major price changes.  

There will be a couple of changes with the elimination of corporate season passes and green fee punch cards will be $250 instead of the previous $230.  The corporate passes originated to increase our golf population from area businesses.  The business paid the pass for a minimum of two employees to receive the reduced rate.  It has become less and less popular with businesses and therefore was decided to eliminate this option.   

I will be working with the Finance Director, this coming week, to receive training on new software that will be installed at the golf course to track our golfers fees paid and the registration process.  This software will allow us to quickly see who has paid their fees and who has not paid at the time of registration.  City Hall will be able to follow the information as it is entered into our computer in the clubhouse.  It should make the process a lot easier on the clubhouse staff.

This past week I have contacted the majority of our returning employees to find out who is returning for the 2021 golf season.  Each response has been an excited “YES!”  There are still a couple individuals I have not heard back from and also a couple of upcoming interviews for new staff.  I’m very happy to hear the staff is excited to return for another season.  They do a fabulous job and are definitely appreciated beyond words.

The part time staff on the grounds will all be returning and are anxious to get back to work.  It’s difficult to believe we will be golfing soon while looking out the window to a heavy snowfall.  It won’t be long and the grass will be green sprinkled with golf balls.  

I have continued to work on equipment and other maintenance duties most of the off season.  There are still some small items to address but the majority of the equipment is in “ready to go” condition.  We all need to remember our equipment is aging rapidly and breakdowns are a regular part of the work day.  Hopefully the Capital Improvement Plan will help us update the fleet over the next few years.

We will be purchasing ten new rental carts to add to our current 2021 fleet.  This will allow us to accommodate a lot more golfers during the peak playing times as well as events.  This will be a great asset.  Also, a new rough mower will be added this season.  Our main rough unit has 5000 hours on it and is nearing the end of the race.  It’s impossible to rely 100% on this unit day in and day out.  It has done more than paid for itself over the years.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or comments.  
—
Brian C Mohr

Director of Golf Operations

City of Spencer

101 W 5th Street

Spencer Municipal Golf Course

Spencer, Iowa 51301

712-260-5370

www.spencermunigolf.com