by Brian Duthu
Pro Shops
August revenue exceeded budget by $3,733, despite a $5,946 deficit of Prepaid Green Fees and a $3,234 deficit of Public Green Fees. Green Fee/Cart Fee revenue was $9,549 ahead of budget and Driving Range revenue was $1,630 ahead of budget. Merchandise revenue missed budget by $1,521, a rare miss. Performance to prior year was almost identical to budget, with total revenue exceeding prior year by $8,105. Total rounds in August exceeded prior year by 627 rounds.
Through August we have managed to cut into the deficits created by the poor weather in January and February. Since February we have reduced our revenue deficit by $8,911 and reduced our Total Gross Income Deficit by $5,911. Savings in Payroll, Repairs and Maintenance and General Operating Expenses have allowed us to reduce our Net Operating Deficit by $39,992.
On December 12 we will be hosting a fundraising tournament to raise money for our chosen Winter Celebration Charity, the Sun City Community Assistance Network, also known as Sun City CAN. The format will be Beat the Pro(s), which will be Brian Duthu (PGA) and Chris Linam (PGA Apprentice) and will be made up of two person teams. Teams that beat the Best Ball score of the Pros will equally share the prize pool. The entry fee will be $40 and the event will be held at Lakes West with Lunch at Talisman Hall following play. The theme this year is “2nd Annual Beat the Pros – The Pros Strike Back”, following their drubbing from the 1st Annual event. A chance for a Pebble Beach vacation will be available on the 11th hole, for a hole-in-one.
Snack Shops
Following the performance of the Pro Shops, Snack Shop revenue exceeded budget by $2,198. Beginning in October the courses that are open will remain open until 5:00 p.m., business permitting.
Golf Courses
The aerifying trial at Lakes West proved to be successful. With the success of this trial we will aerify all courses next year using the same method; this means courses will undergo the entire aerifying process in a single event. We will also be less aggressive with the removal of topdressing sand next year and be more aggressive with additional topdressings, if needed. These changes should eliminate the “dimpling” that is evident on our greens following aerification.
The renovation at North is still scheduled to begin December 1st, the selection process for contractors begins September 3rd. With the renovation upcoming, North will not be overseeded this year and will remain in playable condition until the closure. Golfers can expect the course to become hard and fast, as the closure date approaches.
We are currently applying a slow release fertilizer to our rough areas. This fertilizer will provide nutrients to the rough areas in the spring, as they recover from dormancy. In addition we are applying a pre-emergent herbicide to the rough areas to combat winter weeds, which will provide a cleaner look than past winters. Summer weeds will be controlled using post emergent herbicides.
Overseeding begins at Lakes West, Quail Run and Willowbrook on September 30th, the remaining courses will begin overseeding on October 21st. In preparation for overseed mowing heights will be raised throughout the course, which helps to protect the bermuda grass during the overseed process. Rough heights are also raised to protect the bermuda grass from cart traffic once it enters dormancy.