Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Billy Casper Golf Management was awarded a contract last night to run Indian Spring Country Club, the debt-ridden golf course that Evesham Township has owned since the mid-1970s.
At a special meeting attended by about 50 people, the Township Council voted, 3-1, to privatize management of the golf course. Deputy Mayor Jud Hanlon abstained because his brother, Russell, is a groundskeeper at the golf course.
The council called the meeting after it heard details of proposals from Billy Casper Golf; Edward Quinn, an Evesham resident who owns the Links golf course across town; and Indian Spring's current management during a 41/2-hour public hearing Nov. 9. The council had to act before Dec. 2, the deadline to review bids from the private companies.
Evesham officials hope privatization will help ease debt service, which shot up from $79,896 in 1995 to $829,439 in 2003.
"As a golfer, there is no question in my mind that Billy Casper is desperately needed to run this golf course, to provide the necessary skills to make Indian Spring the kind of course the citizens of this town deserve," said Charles Shipley, an Evesham resident.
Another resident, Sue Schooley, opposed privatization and supported the existing management.
"All I know is, these people have worked hard to make Indian Spring a golf-friendly course," she said.
Councilman Ken D'Andrea, who voted for privatization, called it a "black-and-white issue."
"It all boils down to the debt," he said. "Take the emotion out, and you have to do what's best for the residents of the township."
Councilman Sal Cardillo voted against privatization. He called the move a "slap in the face" to the course workers.
The financial woes at the golf course, which is on South Elmwood Road in Marlton, stem from loans made to fund capital projects started in the late 1990s, including a $4.4 million clubhouse. Surplus funds were not available to help pay for the projects because $2.65 million was pumped into the budget over several years in the 1990s to hold the line on taxes.
Differences in the proposals presented two weeks ago were significant.
Billy Casper Golf's proposal calls for the township to pay it a $90,000 annual fee. The township would receive 80 percent of any revenue that exceeds $1.5 million, and the township retains control of the course, including setting fees.
The contract is for five years, with the township holding options on the last two. It covers the golf course and driving range only. The clubhouse and restaurant are managed by an independent caterer, Amici Restaurants.
The Links' Quinn, who also manages Centerton Golf Club in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, proposed a graduated five-year lease under which Links would pay the township $225,000 for each of the first two years, $250,000 the third, and $275,000 for each of the last two years. The township also would have received 25 percent of revenue exceeding $1.3 million, the revenue that Indian Spring generated in 2003.
"Both proposals had merit," D'Andrea said.
Officials said the township's projections show that Casper's management proposals would produce a $1 million surplus for the golf course, more than either of the other two bidders.
Through a presentation made by Township Manager Ed Sasdelli, Bill Torlucci, Indian Spring's business manager and head pro, proposed four options, among them laying off four of the club's 10 full-time employees.
