General Manager/Golf Pro Recommended For Country Club
Things might look somewhat different this spring if the recommendations of Groton Country Club Consultant Bill Gustus are adopted. His report on his review and recommendations for the Country Club are finally in and he recommended some changes to address expansion of membership, expansion of the daily fee play, tightening of the financial areas, and implementation of a full marketing plan, establishment of a reasonable operating budget and efficient operation of the Pro Shop.
There are two significant recommendations; hiring a General Manager/Golf Pro; and the potential lease of the function hall to the operator of the restaurant that would be designed to streamline town expenses and generate additional revenue.
The report says, "There needs to be one manager that coordinates the operations of all divisions and oversees the overall budget for the Country Club, and be able to make operational adjustments to cut spending when necessary to stay within projected revenues.
This function will coordinate all activities within the divisions. Programs and events will utilize the resources of not only golf, but also the pool and function facilities. The General Manager will also coordinate all marketing activity to the benefit of all divisions."
He recommends renegotiating the restaurant lease and lease of the function facility that would require the operator to acquire its own liquor license and be authorized to sell liquor on the golf course. The tenant should pre-pay additional rent for utilities etc. in advance based on historical expenses. "There is a natural synergy between the restaurant and function hall and the Town should consider leasing the function hall to the operator of the restaurant to streamline town expenses."
Gustus proposed the following budget:
Gen. Mgr/ Pro . . . $60,000
Course Superintendent . . . $60,000
2 Seasonal grounds - 34 weeks
@$600 per week . . $40,800
Admin Asst . . . $45,000
Pro Shop help . . . $20,000
Pool help . . 34,000
Camp help . . . $12,500
TTL PERSONNEL . . . $272,300
Total Gold expenses . . . $89,500
Pool Expense . . . $39,610
TOTAL BUDGET . . $401,410
The report noted that the FY14 Golf and Pool revenues totaled $398,000.
Gustus Conclusion: "If the Country Club makes the foregoing changes in its operations and marketing, it should return to at least break even operation in FY2016. Continued marketing efforts and further coordination between the various divisions should allow the country Club to realize profits in future fiscal years."
Chairman Josh Degen felt there were some good ideas in the report and Town Manager Mark Haddad said he planned to move on the marketing plan.
