Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg Golf Advisory Commission met Aug. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Meeting was called to order by Dave Selkirk at 4:00 pm

Roll Call: Present: Members: Dave Selkirk, Stan Devlin, Bob Reedy, Rodney Bunch,

Greenkeeper Matt Miles, Parks and Recreation Director Don Miles

Council Liaison Steve Cheesman

Absent: Jerry Reynolds, Golf Professional Bryan Luedtke

Minutes: Minutes from the July meeting were approved, with a motion from Reedy, 2nd by Devlin.

Reports:

Parks and Recreation Director:

Director Miles reported that the parking lot sealcoat was not going to happen this year along with the cart path work that was budgeted. These projects have been proposed in next year’s budget.

Council Liaison:

Steve Cheesman reported that he, Golf Professional Bryan Luedtke, and Councilmember Bradley Hix toured the entire golf course looking at short- and long-term projects that could be done to improve the course. He also stated that Parks and Recreation improvements will be part of the Strategic Planning process going forward.

Greenkeeper:

Greenkeeper Miles reported that the greens were Verti cut and top dressed with sand. The greens have been groomed with grooming units twice in two different directions. The fairways have been Verti cut as well in efforts to stimulate new and healthy growth. Green collars and approaches have been aerated and Verti cut with seeding to follow. The tall rough areas were cut down to clean up weeds. An irrigation leak on hole #8 was repaired. Some small tree removals took place. Staying busy with fewer staff, with more yet to leave. Looking to hire a few new staff to keep up with maintenance through the fall season.

Golf Professional:

Director Miles reported that there were 5,105 rounds played in July. Revenue is up over $10,000 compared to last July. All categories of revenue had increases. The weather has been very good for business. Club Championship had 74 participants with $1,100 in merchandise credit paid out to the winners. The course hosted the Abingdon/Avon Basketball tournament with 76 players, All-City Junior with 25 players, low turnout, Galesburg Elks Club 104 players, Abingdon Legion with 144 players, Galesburg Christian School with 52 players, Myrna Raes, a new tournament with 56 players.

Upcoming tournaments include Cubs vs. Cards on Thursday September 5thwith 52 teams signed up and the All-City Best Ball on Sunday September 8th.

There were 357 season passes sold this year, which is an increase of 13 from last year. There has been an increase of 38 passes sold to minors, juniors, and young adults this year compared to last year as well.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

Member Bunch asked about painting the double yellow lines on the main entrance road coming into the course. They used to be painted, but asked why they are there anymore. Member Selkirk suggested that hole #10 be shortened for the white tee players. He feels that the gold and silver players have too much of an advantage on this hole. Member Devlin asked if the drinking fountains were out on the course. Director Miles stated that they were except for the one on #3. The fountain there was not cooling and was leaking as well, so it needs to be replaced.

Citizen Comments:

Wayne Miles raised several concerns about the course. First, he asked why the regular passes were being raised significantly more than the junior passes. He feels that they should be increased as much as the regular passes. His next concern was about the younger players on the course in the evenings that are not replacing divots on the par three tees. He also asked why the non-players are not being charged to ride a cart. His last concern was about the number of outings the course was hosting and that it was taking away from the league’s days to play. Chairman Selkirk and Mr. Miles bantered back and forth on a few of the concerns, but Mr. Miles felt that Selkirk was not willing to consider some of the concerns, so he left the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 4:48 P.M. 

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Golf%20Advisory/2024/Golf%20Commission%20Minutes%20082724.pdf