Golf advisory committee preparing recommendations for council

As it nears its one-year anniversary, the City of Rhinelander’s ad hoc golf course advisory committee is preparing recommendations to share with the city’s common council.

The group was formed last August after approximately 80 members of the city-owned Northwood Golf Club sent a “letter of concern” to city officials advising that the course had experienced a drop in membership and organizers of several regular outings had chosen to take their business elsewhere.

The ad hoc panel, which includes Dan Lundberg, Erik Matson, James Sherman. Brian Tonnancour, John Zierden, Mike Tolvstad and city administrator Patrick Reagan, has been meeting regularly since late October. Its goal is to improve golfers’ experience and attract additional members and players to the course.

 According to the discussion during the panel’s July 22 meeting, removing some of bunkers on the notoriously difficult course might be one way to improve the golfing experience at Northwood.

Committee member James Sherman told the group he recently spent several hours at Northwood talking to players about the club.

“After our last meeting, I went out to the course for about four hours and just asked golfers what they thought and what the positives were,” he said. “Overall, it was very positive. I think they enjoyed the clubhouse, food, bar. For the most part, it was all positive. The only thing I heard a couple times was bunkers. Other than bunkers, there was nothing surprising.”

Justin Fox, regional manager of Oliphant Golf Management, the firm that manages the course for the city, agreed that “feedback has been good” so far this season and the new managing pro, Keith Staron, is receiving positive reviews.

“He’s very smart. He’s taken a lot of leadership and ownership of the place, which has been good,” Fox explained.

Reagan asked for more specific information about the bunker concerns.

“What is the concern with the bunkers?” he asked. “Is it the rocks in them still? Or is it that there’s too many?”

“Rocks and condition,” the committee members responded, noting that there are 32 bunkers and they are about 30 years old. 

“You know, the course is hard enough the way it is,” noted another committee member. “Let’s face it. You know, it eats balls. And it seems to me that if one of the things you’re trying to do is you’re trying to get more play out there, you know, keeping it difficult isn’t going to contribute to more play. So maybe the approach to this should be looking at what makes it more playable, and then addressing those bunkers from that perspective versus what’s cheaper, what’s going to cost us more...”

The conversation then moved into the various goals different golfers bring to the course. For example, some want to be able to play a round faster while others appreciate a tougher challenge. 

The consensus was there are about 7 bunkers that could be removed to make the course more playable. However, Reagan stressed that cost is an obstacle. 

“If I can only remove four, which ones would you (want removed?,” he asked. 

After the members offered feedback on specific bunkers, Reagan asked for thoughts as to recommendations to be brought to the council.

At that point, Fox stressed that progress has been made and Oliphant is confident that even better days are ahead.

“Obviously, last year didn’t go well, but I think Keith’s done a good job and we certainly want to be here and help Northwood continue to grow and be a nice operation and be a staple in the Northwoods,” he told the group. “You know, I think financially this year is, candidly, still going to be a little shaky, but as we get Keith, you know, settled in, there’s no reason we shouldn’t continue to grow... I think Keith’s going to build some faith in people back out there and see better things on the horizon.”

The discussion ended with Reagan suggesting the members finalize their recommendations for the council at the group’s next meeting.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].