Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg Golf Advisory Commission met June 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairman, David Selkirk

Roll Call:

Present: Rodney Bunch, Stan Devlin, Jerry Reynolds, Paul Sandborg, David Selkirk

City of Galesburg:

Alderman – Steve Cheesman, Parks Superintendent- Don Miles, Greenkeeper-Matt Miles Absent: Golf Professional -Bryan Luedtke,

Minutes: May 2023 minutes were approved with motions from Paul Sandborg and Jerry Reynolds.

Greenskeeper Report:

Greenkeeper, Matt Miles, reported on maintenance of the golf course. This has been a dry season, so watering has been taking up most of the work by hand watering dry spots on the greens and irrigating the course as much as possible with the drought. Greens are being spiked weekly to maintain the health of the course with the heat and dry weather. Greens are rolled one to two times per week to maintain smoothness. Shoreline rock was placed under the west side of #16 bridge to try and save the footing from further erosion. Additional rock will be placed in the areas with the greatest needs. Dirt has been applied to the sink hole areas and areas that have settled, such as locations of former stumps. There is still additional work with dirt and seeding to be completed.

Council Member, Steve Cheesman, commended the appearance of the course, stating Maintenance does a great job. Matt verified to Jerry that the height of the greens had been the same. David Selkirk likes the look of #16-#17 with the path created by the mower.

Golf Professional Report:

David Selkirk provided the Golf Professional Report in absence of Golf Professional, Bryan Luedtke. A review of May was provided showing that there was a record number of rounds (4,804) played in that month. This is 1,700 rounds above average. There was $86,914.00 in total revenue with the weather assisting those figures. Merchandise, food and beverage sales have been great.

Bunker Links hosted 104 players for the Seniors “Super-Ball” outing, with $1,040 in credit paid out onto their accounts. Additional June outings included Relay 4 Life (52 players), Fireman’s Golf Outing (140 players) , Ladies Invitational (48 players), United Way Golf Outing (80 players), Smart TD (80 players-RR), and Knoxville SAL (60 players). The United Way and Fireman’s Golf Outings set records for their donations with these outings.

Old Business: Director of Parks and Recreation, Elizabeth Varner, revisited the Capital expense items. She expressed the consensus that drainage was the number one capital expense item according to last month and asked if it was still a priority. There are 10-12 areas with drainage issues. (#1, #5, and #8 are the worse) (#10, ##13, #16 and #17 are next). Elizabeth was told by Klingner that the unmarked utilities were an issue. Don believes it is the old drainage tiles. Commissioners agreed drainage is the top priority. Elizabeth reminded everyone that is budget time budget items and now is the time to share information. The parking lot is also a priority for capital expense items.

Paul expressed that the cart paths need structured and repaired. The approach to #5 is rough off the Fairway from the bridge and #2 needs repaired.

Elizabeth investigated potential grants that could be applied to the golf course but did not see any for this time that were applicable. David saw some as well but may have had the same result.

New Business:

Paul Sandborg asked about a taller fence for #7 tee for safety purposes when the with range balls going over there. Don will measure this to see what can be done.

Steve thought 100th Anniversary ideas would be a good idea. Everyone agreed. Claire Johnson worked there in the past and he may have some pictures and information to share. Another idea was to have one week utilizing the original nine holes to reverse back to playing like in the past. Pictures with the Mayors have been done in the past, and it might be nice to have a new picture taken for the Centennial kickoff event. Elizabeth asked everyone to bring ideas to future meetings. David mentioned a party but felt there was nowhere to have one. Don mentioned that the Lake Storey Pavilion is a possibility. Merchandise with the Centennial logo is already in the works.

Jerry inquired about the Electric Golf Bikes. Don explained the lease was not renewed and they are gone.

There was discussion on the actual address of Bunker Links. It was confirmed that the address is 3535 Lincoln Park Drive but that the road was named Ledford Lane when it was built as an extension.

Jerry knows of a businessman wanting to purchase land so he can take care of it instead of the city by Action Tax and south of the Railroad Tracks. Elizabeth will pass this along to Mr. Steve Gugliotta but asked that he provide the name or call Steve. Don stated that Parks mows this every other week.

Rodney wanted to know the maintenance done on the walkway up to the clubhouse. Matt stated he seals it every winter. Paul inquired if the trees were the biggest issue, to which Matt does not think so.

Elizabeth reported that Bunker Links also offered a Jr. Golf program with 5 participants. Bryan did a great job with the program. Matt taught them about golf maintenance which was also good. Elizabeth stated it is important to offer golf to youth, and that it is a life skill. David was interested in involving low-income youth and suggested something at Jason Wessels. Elizabeth reminded them of Hook a Kid on Golf and First Tee as being two great youth programs for which a grant could be applied. (Jason Runbom was a past Hook a Kid on Golf.)

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned: 4:55 p.m.

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Golf%20Advisory/2023/Golf%20Commission%20Minutes%20062723.pdf