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Recreation director put in charge of golf course
(by Sue Reid - February 17, 2010)
Recreation director put in charge of golf course
By SUE REID
Solon Mayor Susan A. Drucker wants a vision for Grantwood Golf Course.
As a result, Mrs. Drucker is placing the city-owned golf course under the supervision of Recreation Director Donald H. Holub, she said last week. Mr. Holub's new position at the course is at no additional compensation.
Grantwood Director Gary Mazzeo, who has been with the course for over 35 years, is retiring this spring.
Mrs. Drucker also planned to ask City Council for approval of a Grantwood advisory board, which would be comprised of residents Robert Fein, Robert Flacks and Thomas Littman.
"I want a long-term plan for Grantwood," Mrs. Drucker said. Whether it can remain successful as a city department has to be determined, she said. The course, whose operations were taken over by the city following voter approval in November 2008, has been functioning at a loss, Mrs. Drucker said.
"I don't want a Band-Aid fix," she said.
She said the advisory board will consider options for the course. Examples include whether it will remain under the recreation department, stand on its own or if the city will allow a management company to come in and run it.
Whether it is functioning the best possible way and what changes need to be made to help it succeed are some of the things Mrs. Drucker wants to examine, she said.
"I would like Grantwood to succeed," Mrs. Drucker said. "It's a valuable asset to the city, but I have to make sure it's not a continuous drain."
The city purchased Grantwood Golf Course on Aurora Road (Route 43) in 1972 and established a separate board of trustees to oversee operations. That remained in effect until the vote in November 2008.
Mrs. Drucker said the advisory board will look at every aspect of Grantwood.
"I want them to look at Grantwood as a open book and at every viable option," she said. "They will determine what is in the best interest of the city for this golf course.
"I don't know the solution," Mrs. Drucker said, "but I would like a fresh perspective."
Councilman William D. Mooney will serve as the council liaison for Grantwood, she said.
Mrs. Drucker said the three individuals she selected were not trustees before. "I wanted an unbiased opinion if we are doing things the right way," she said.
Mrs. Drucker said the city made a commitment when the course became one of its departments to make capital improvements because it needs to exist on its own.
She said she appreciates the fact that the advisory board would be willing to step in and give of their time to assist the city.
"Until I knew a long-term plan, I didn't want to bring in new hires or commitments without doing an intensive review of Grantwood."
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