Source: The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
Sumner has signed a contract that pays Billy Casper Golf Co. more than $ 5.4 million over 10 years to take charge of the city-owned course and hopefully save it.
City officials have debated whether to sell the 146-acre Sumner Meadows Golf Course to home developers or industrialists but decided to keep it for now, under new management.
The long-term contract with the private Virginia company began Dec. 16.
Four days later, city officials thanked former manager Ron Hagen for keeping the 18-hole course in play during a decade when the region had a glut of new golf courses. Hagen had managed the course on the White River in north Sumner since it opened in 1995. The city paid him about $ 333,000 in 2004. It agreed to pay Billy Casper about $ 540,000 a year for 10 years.
Andrew Neiditz, Sumner city administrator, said he recognized that some City Council members still think the golf course is "risky business." However, he said, the city will pay more to Billy Casper Golf, a much larger company, because it has more resources to improve and market the course. The company manages 48 courses in the United States, including two for the City of Everett and one for Clark County.
The number of played rounds at Sumner Meadows peaked in 1998 at 55,318 and has declined about 10,000 since. When it was built in 1995, the city hoped it would pay for itself and eventually turn a profit. Instead, it has lost money.
City reports show the course carries a debt of $ 7.1 million, mainly related to the land purchase and golf course construction. That debt will be paid off over 13 years. Sewer utility users help cover the mortgage by paying an extra $ 30 a year on their bills.
The contract with Billy Casper Golf says the city will repair equipment and pay $ 75,000 to improve the clubhouse and dry out the bunkers. The city will receive most of the greens fee income and part of the income from the driving range and golf cart rentals.
Billy Casper Golf will pay its workers, make other improvements and advertise, maintain and manage the course, according to contract terms.
City Councilman Dave Enslow said if the company does what it says, Sumner Meadows should survive. If not, the council will decide whether to sell the golf course, which lies along the river in the city's industrial area where raw land is valuable.
Travis Kane, the new course manager, transferred from the Clark County course.
"I played the course the other day for the first time," he said of Sumner Meadows. "It's a very nice course. It has a challenging layout, dry fairways and large putting greens."
The company is named for pro golfer Billy Casper, who won 51 PGA tour championships including two U.S. Opens and one Masters. He is the company's senior adviser and consultant.