Workshop Meeting with M.C. Park/Rec Board and Advisory Board of Highland Park Golf Course

April 15, 2013 –

The joint meeting was attended by Don Nelson, Ray Shimak, and Craig Binnebose of the Park/Rec Board and Jerry Weiland, Becki Wetter, Denise Largent, Mike Stephens, Jon Gansen, Darrell Newman and Roxie Espinosa with Ryan Olson and Brent Trout also in attendance.

The purpose of the meeting was to amend or add to the “wish list” for the Highland Park Golf Course.

The course opened at 11 am April 15th. There are a few sticks and miscellaneous debris to pick up, some spots of snow mold in the fairways, and frost still on holes 2 and 3. The new tee boxes on #10 and #18 will be used later this season. Work will begin on shaping the forward tees for #13, #16 and #15. There are 5 new recycled plastic benches to be put out on the course. Still need additional portable ball washer stands.

Items discussed were asphalting the parking lot by the cart sheds, removing the utility poles laying down and putting up some other type of barrier to designate parking spaces. Brian and Ryan are going to go thru the kitchen equipment and check the operating status of the equipment.

Discussed on-line tee times. Brent Trout had some information on 2 services that provide on-line tee time reservations. This service would also develop a data bank of email addresses of golfers requesting tee times. The data bank could be useful for sending out future course information such as tournament schedules and special events. There will be more discussion on this topic later.

There was discussion about using a lottery system for spots in the new 60 space cart shed. There are about 25 carts in the old shed that may be replaced. The goal is to have the new shed constructed by the fall of this year.

We are still waiting for the updated yardage of each hole from the tee box to center of green from the Iowa Golf Association (IGA). Jon Gansen will be able to put the yardage plate in the tee box with the updated information.

Craig discussed replacing the broken and/ or sunken concrete in the front of the club house. This certainly presents a tripping hazard.  Also, one electrical box needs to be repaired or removed. The electrical boxes were placed in the front of the clubhouse at the time of construction with the intention of using them for holiday lighting of the trees.

Ryan reported that 225 season passes have been purchased to date.

The following updated lists for Highland Park Golf Course “Wish List” were developed:

List #1: Golf Course

1. Any needed equipment for the golf course grounds.
2. 2^nd cart shed – about a 40 cart unit.
3. Remove railroad ties on holes 1, 6, 8 (back tee) and 12 (forward tee) and replace with landscape block walls.
4. Construct cart paths: from #5 tee to #5 green to avoid wet locations; #10 back tee to #10 forward tee; #14 green to #15 back tee and to #15 forward tee, replace path on left side of #18 green. Add a short cart path from behind #6 tee to connect to the asphalt pavement in front of club house to avoid traffic jam for #6 tee and to prevent driving behind the tee box.
5. Additional ball washers and stands.
6. New benches (preferably recycled plastic material).
7. New tee box construction.
8. Yardage markers on the tee boxes.
9. Asphalt the parking lot to the north of the cart sheds.
10. More fertilizer and weed control for the grounds.

List #2: Clubhouse and Surroundings

1. Ryan will evaluate the computer system and let us know if any upgrades are needed.
2. Flat top grill for indoor kitchen area needs to have electrical service evaluated.
3. Replace dishwasher.
4. Replace hot dog cooker.
5. Decorative concrete or brick pavers to replace bushes; construct gazebo with outdoor grill.
6. Replace/refurbish outdoor seating.
7. Replace clubhouse carpeting.
8. Repair/replace interior tables and chairs.
9. Replace broken and sunken concrete in front of clubhouse.
10. Repair or remove electrical outlet in the front of the clubhouse.

Submitted by Secretary of Advisory Board

Becki Wetter

April 15, 2013