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Grantwood finances are back on fairway
(by Sue Reid - June 02, 2010)
Grantwood finances are back on fairway
By SUE REID
Despite a rainy May, which was a "rough month for golf," Solon Recreation Director Donald W. Holub said last week, the Grantwood Golf Course is financially in a good position.
"Right now, we're in a good position, and I think that will continue throughout the year," he said. "I truly believe we will make our numbers and do well."
Mr. Holub, who began his added role as director of the city-owned golf course in March, said the least of his worries are in the area of finances. "That is because we have cut back," he said. "Our expenses are down. The whole crew has bought into that and are minding their p's and q's, so to speak."
Revenues are down a bit, he said, but "vs. our expenses last year, we're still in good shape."
Mr. Holub has served as the city's recreation director for 21 years. Mayor Susan A. Drucker announced earlier this year that she was placing the Grantwood operation temporarily under his direction. Longtime Grantwood Director Gary Mazzeo retired earlier this year.
Golfing is down in general, Mr. Holub said. The course opened in March and had a great April, he said. Over 4.5 inches of rain the following month made for a "lousy May," he said. "So much is weather dependent."
He is learning in his new position and "enjoying every minute of it, Mr. Holub said. "The people have been terrific. I haven't had one problem with any personnel. I try to help them out."
As an average golfer, Mr. Holub said, he brings a "different outlook" to the course.
He is joined at Grantwood with five full-time employees and a lot of experience. "It's a testament to how they are," Mr. Holub said. For example, Scott Pollock, the golf pro, has been there 12 years and is still a "newbie," he said, compared to the length of time the other employees have been there. "They all love their jobs and all love their course, and it shows," he said.
Immediate goals at the course include "calming the storm and making everyone feel at ease," Mr. Holub said.
"It's all about customer service with me. All of the residents and customers at the course come first. What we can do to make them happy within reason, we're going to do."
Long-term goals involve getting more control of capital costs at the course and making sure Grantwood is able to handle those costs within its own budget, he said.
"A lot of little things become major if we let them go," Mr. Holub said. "I don't want to borrow money from the city. I want to make sure we can handle it on our own," he said.
"I want Grantwood to remain a golf course," he said. "That's why the city bought it. It's an asset."
The changes he has made thus far at the course stem from many suggested by the Grantwood staff. He said that he and Mr. Pollock, as well as course Superintendent David Peck, walked the course and put down their ideas, from small to large-scale projects and things that can be done to improve the course.
"We will prioritize and get all the ideas out there," Mr. Holub said. "It's implementing the changes we feel can or should be done." He said they had about 10 ideas on every hole. "We can't do everything but we will choose the ones we can afford and ones we know can improve play," he said.
A survey is expected to go out to golfers this week, he said, in an effort to get their opinions on the course.
The banquet center at Grantwood remains busy, Mr. Holub said. "It's amazing the amount of banquets they have in there." Possibly in the future, an idea may be to do more in conjunction with the Solon Community Center, he said.
The response to the course and its condition have been extremely favorable, Mr. Holub said. Mr. Peck cut the greens and fairway a bit lower, and it has worked out well, he said. "I've had nothing but good comments on the condition of course thus far."
The Grantwood advisory board, which was appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council, has been doing a lot of research on the course, Mr. Holub said, and "interviewing as many people as possible."
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