Letter to Economic Development - Conditions at Countryside Golf Course

January 16, 2008 - To Mr. Brian K. Brown, Roanoke City Economic Development Administrator

Dear Mr. Brown:

This letter is in response to your correspondence, dated January 4, 2008; regarding the current conditions at Countryside Golf Course. First, as you mentioned, it is winter and with the frequent freezing conditions realized this time of year in the Roanoke area, it does make it difficult to maintain conditions at a high level. However, you did make several very valid points that I want to address.

Limbs Down/Traps Not Raked – We have experienced several windy days, one in particular that was caused some tree damage on the course. Countryside Golf Course is operating on a very limited staff this time of year and has done what could be to clean the limbs up and also cut down one large tree that was lost in the storm. This is an ongoing project that we will stay on top of.

The traps are raked frequently when conditions allow. If they are frozen, it doesn’t do any good to use the sand pro since this process only creates more damage to the bunker edges when they enter and exit the traps. These conditions will improve significantly as weather gets better.

Fairways/Tees – Before I address your concerns regarding the fairways and tees, I wanted you to know that back in the fall, we did a full aerification of the greens at a cost of approximately $12,000. This process is again budgeted and will be completed in the spring and will include a heavy top dressing. The anticipated costs for the complete project is $18,000. With that being said, the greens will be in the best conditions they have been in for some time going into the 2008 season and throughout the year.

As you are aware, Roanoke experienced a drought in 2007. The drought, coupled with the antiquated irrigation system took a toll on fairway and tee turf conditions. You are correct that we are very limited in the scope of any improvement we can do because of this. Implementing a new grass program would be impossible to grow-in and maintain without a properly functioning system. We would consider budgeting funds for reseeding of all fairways and tees if the system does get updated. The estimated cost to repair the irrigation system, maintain it in a consistent working condition and ensure a continuance life span is approximately $100,000. This amount would include the labor needed to do the repairs, all of the parts and also anticipated upgrades to the pump station. If this work is completed, coupled with a grassing plan, the conditions of the fairways and tees will be the same as the greens and produce a great, overall experience for the golfers visiting Countryside Golf Course.

Cart Paths – The cart paths are obviously in very poor and bad condition. There are approximately 6,000 linear feet that need to be replaced. I do not recommend replacing the cart paths with gravel. Doing so will cause more problems than leaving them in their current condition. With that said, we have two choices to consider:

• Option 1: Replace the damaged cart paths with asphalt at a cost of $20 to $25, per linear foot. This would include a base material which is needed in most locations to ensure quality and longevity.


• Option 2: Eliminate the cart paths that are in the worst condition and replace with grass. This would have a cost of approximately $25,000 to haul away the existing and re-grass.

Mr. Brown, I would like to set a time to meet with you at the course to discuss these issues and resolutions. Please let me know what possible date/times you may be available so that I can coordinate my travel/schedule.

Cordially,

Scott Beasley,
Vice President of Operations
WSB:bdmc
Cc: Darlene Burcham, City Manager
Steve Gano, VP of Operations, IGM
Tyler Minamyer, Regional Manager, IGM

I thank Mr. Beasley for copying me on this letter. It certainly gives us insight on what needs to be done in maintenance for the long term. From this letter upgrade of the irrigation system is critical to Countryside Golf Course's future. The cart paths are also extremely important. That said it is Roanoke City's responsibility to invest the $100,000 needed for the upgrade and the substantial amount needed for paved cart paths. In the scheme of how much money the City has spent on just "studying" other recreational projects (ex. Reserve Ave.) it really is not alot of money. The consultant hired to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan was paid $50,000. As I've repeated many times on this blog that Northwest's allocation of the $75 million dollars over 10 years is 4.4%! Guess where over 20% is going - yes, no surprise, South Roanoke and Reserve Ave., with multi-generational recreation center no less. We in North Roanoke get to SHARE the recreation center that the County is building (maybe). No surprise that when contacted the County Parks Director was surprised to hear that. Lets face it we are getting the shaft (no other way to say it).