From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Posted on Sun, Apr. 17, 2005
On Golf | Changes on way at city's courses
By Joe Logan
Inquirer Columnist
Once again, there are big changes at the six city-owned golf courses.
Meadowbrook Golf Group Inc., the Florida-based company that took over the long-term contract to manage and improve Cobbs Creek, FDR and the other courses back in 1999, has begged out.
As of April 1, the Fairmount Park Commission has hired a newly formed outfit, Liberty Golf, to run the courses for the next two years, buying time to work on a master plan for the future.
"Liberty is sort of a bridge to the future," said Barry Bessler, chief of staff of the park commission and a member of the golf committee.
It may be the future, too. Liberty, in fact, is nothing more than a company created by Bud Connors, who has run the courses for the last dozen or so years for Meadowbrook and, before that, a previous management company, Club Corp. of Dallas.
Back in the fall, when Meadowbrook decided to get out of running municipal courses to focus on high-end daily-fee properties, it got permission from the city to shop the contract around the golf industry. There were no takers, not with rounds down and any new company facing $1 million rent payments to the city.
The city, which took back all financial responsibility, probably could have played hardball, but Meadowbrook had been hit hard by the hurricane damage last year to its Florida courses. Besides, the city had seen the results of similar tactics when Club Corp. wanted out.
"There's nothing worse for our courses than having an operator that doesn't want to be there," Bessler said.
That's when Connors, whose heart is very much in the city courses, formed Liberty Golf and basically took on all of Meadowbrook's people in Philadelphia.
"We took on 77 people and six courses overnight," Connors said. "I've spent the past week or two just trying to establish credit with the vendors."
Connors likes to think regulars at Cobbs Creek, Karakung, Juniata, FDR, John F. Byrne and Walnut Lane won't notice a difference. Or if they do, it will be for the better.
It will be the same people behind the counter in the pro shops and the same people on the mowers. Connors looks forward to not having to get approval for decisions from corporate bosses in Florida who are sweating every nickel for the quarterly earnings report.
"I can tell you already there will be more money spent on these golf courses," Connors said.
In the last year or two, Meadowbrook had touted plans for a major restoration of Cobbs Creek to recapture the original design by Hugh Wilson, the genius behind Merion Golf Club's revered East Course. Connors said that project is not necessarily dead.
"I still have hopes and dreams of doing this restoration with the city," Connors said. "We have worked so diligently."
This could all turn out to be quite the crossroads for the city courses.
In about a year, the Fairmount Park Commission plans to issue a "request for proposal" for the courses, meaning an invitation to companies in the golf management business to pitch plans for the future of the courses.
As Bessler sees it, the city has to listen to all kinds of possibilities. Should millions be sunk into improving Cobbs Creek? Should Walnut Lane be made into a 9-hole course and sports center? Should FDR be totally a First Tee facility? How can the city courses keep greens fees affordable and compete with daily-fee courses in the suburbs?
"You look at the declining rounds, and you look at the properties themselves, and somebody has to decide what is best for the courses," Bessler said. "When we put out our [request for proposal], we hope the folks in the golf community give us some ideas."
When that time comes, who knows how many golf management companies will be interested. One company that expects to be there, front and center, with plenty of ideas and a little more history, is Liberty Golf.
For 2005, the city courses have new, slightly reduced, greens fees. Peak rates, including carts, are:
Cobbs Creek, $43 weekends and holidays; $38 weekdays.
John F. Byrne and FDR, $38 weekends and holidays; $33 weekdays.
Karakung, Juniata and Walnut Lane, $33 weekends and holidays; $28 weekdays.