Source: Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Endicott - After a failed attempt three years ago to hire a private management company for the village's En-Joie Golf Club, trustees are again shopping for a willing operator who would pay the village an annual fee plus a percentage of the revenues.
Trustees spent close to an hour Monday reviewing the ingredients of a request-for-proposals advertisement that the board likely will approve at its regular meeting Monday.
"I feel it's a lot better than last time," Trustee Cheryl Chapman said Monday of the proposed solicitation she compared to the 2001 attempt.
Chapman said she would like to see a new golf manager on board by Feb. 1, in time to begin the 2005 golf season.
Mayor Joan Hickey Pulse said she envisions the new golf course management contract as the village ridding itself of the golf course operational expenses while collecting an annual rent plus a percentage of the company's gross revenues. Pulse said the potential revenue could be $100,000-$150,000 annually.
However, specific revenue figures were left open, with trustees saying they want to see what specific terms would-be management companies will submit in their proposals.
Currently, the village operates the municipal course with its own personnel after golf professional and course manager Jeff Marks resigned earlier this year following a contract dispute with the village.
In 2001, the village first advertised for a course manager, but scuttled the plan in December of that year after finding the proposals unacceptable. Several companies even proposed the village pay the management company to run the golf course.
Marks was hired in 2002.
Under the current proposal, annual golf membership rates would be set by the new manager instead of the village. The company would have to abide by current contracts with the privately run golf course restaurant and with Broome County Charities, which runs the annual B.C. Open.
Village officials said the $90,000 Broome County Charities pays the village to operate the popular, national golf tournament would be turned over to the new course manager. The contract also would require the management company to post a performance bond.
Trustees agreed to advertise for a contract of three to five years in duration.
The village also would be responsible for major capital improvements at the West Main Street golf course, including a new clubhouse roof, new refrigeration equipment and improvements to the En-Joie miniature golf course.
