Council approves cart, vehicle purchases for Northwood Golf Club

Six days after voting to resume in-house management of Northwood Golf Club, the Rhinelander Common Council on Monday approved lease/purchase agreements to obtain a utility vehicle and 60 golf carts for the city-owned course.

The panel also approved an updated organizational chart — which shows the golf course manager reporting directly to the city administrator — and the rate schedule for the 2025 golf season.

The resolutions were discussed after Jerry Shidell, a former mayor and city alderman, urged the panel to sell the course. 

Speaking during the public comment period, Shidell claimed he warned years ago that a city-owned golf course would not be a profitable venture.

“In 1987 I came before the city council to make a statement, and it concerned at the time a proposed public golf course,” Shidell said. “The golf course was being promoted as a great asset for the city. would pay for our rec department expenses every year, would lower our taxes, be a great economic boost and would fill a great need that the city needed. Well, I’m here 35 plus years later to tell you I told you so because back then I said in no uncertain terms, a government entity will not make money, and I think without a shadow of a doubt the golf course has not made money. I don’t know what the exact figures are, but I bet you’re pushing $2 million dollars in the hole, at least that much. If the golf course was so necessary back then, such a great need that the city had to build it, I guarantee you the free market would have stepped in and done it for you...”

Now is a “golden opportunity” to offload the course, he added, repeating the phrase “sell, sell, sell” several times during his brief remarks.

“You can sell this property right now,” he told the alderpersons. “Following the proper procedures of course, you can sell this property. You can get it off the backs of the taxpayers of Rhinelander.”

The proceeds could be used to make infrastructure improvements that would benefit a wider population of city residents, he continued.

The golf course benefits “the elites” only, he added.

“Right now, the only ones that are being helped out there at the golf course are kind of the elites who like to play golf. And we’re subsidizing it. I’m subsidizing it, all of you are subsidizing it,” he said. “I don't think that’s right.”

Without elaborating, Shidell noted that there has been “interest” in purchasing the course.

“Sell, sell, sell now, when you have the chance, when you apparently have gotten offers already or at least a lot of interest in this golf course,” he said.

“A public enterprise doesn’t operate nearly as efficiently as a private one, because they have skin in a game. You, as council members, really don’t have any skin in the game other than as a taxpayer of the city of Rhinelander,” he added.

Shidell was elected mayor in 1978 and served one term. He has also served on the city’s Common Council and the Oneida County Board of Supervisors.

Following the meeting, the River News asked city officials to clarify whether there are offers to purchase the course. 

According to city administrator Patrick Reagan, there have been “informal conversations” not formal offers.

“I had many informal conversations with many people this past year about the golf course and none of those would I consider offers,” he said. “I would only take a formal, written, and understood offer to Council for consideration and deliberation.”

For his part, Mayor Kris Hanus noted that the city council unanimously approved a policy outlining a specific procedure for sales of city-owned properties. Anyone with a serious interest in buying the golf course, or any other city property, must make a formal offer of a reasonable amount of compensation and provide proof that they have the means to follow through, he stressed, adding that he’s frustrated with those who he claims “want to hide in a corner and lurk and not be transparent.”

“If anyone’s legitimately interested in buying the golf course, write us up an offer, show us proof of funds,” he said. “Send it in and we’ll bring it to council.”

Anything less than a fully developed written offer backed by secured funding is nothing more than “bar talk” or “coffee talk,” he argued, noting that it’s not unusual for people to approach city officials with ideas and hypotheticals. While there’s nothing wrong with this sort of discourse, it’s not the same thing as a serious offer, he added.

While the council is not scheduled to meet again until Jan. 9 — the panel’s Dec. 23 meeting has been canceled — it appears the new year is likely to bring a discussion and decision regarding a potential appraisal of the golf course property. 

Alderman Tom Barnett has emerged as a strong proponent of that idea. 

During Monday’s meeting, Barnett rose from his council seat during public comment to address his colleagues as a citizen.

“I stand before you today deeply concerned about the proposed management of our municipal golf course,” he said. “Historically, this course has been a consistent financial burden, barely breaking even and often operating at a deficit. The current fiscal year is no exception, with significant overspending in areas like food and beverage, totaling over $116,000. While we anticipate saving approximately $90,000 by eliminating an outside management firm, this amount falls short of covering the ongoing operational deficits. The golf course’s reliance on the general fund, amounting to a staggering total to date of $1,936,850.41, is a clear indication of its unsustainable nature.”

 “Some argue that the golf course is a valuable green space that should be preserved. I agree, but I question the wisdom of maintaining it as a financial drain on our city,” he continued. “Even if we were to sell the course, the land would likely remain a green space, albeit one that the city doesn’t have to fund and can put that money toward things the city actually needs, unlike a golf course. Tonight, we’re considering a significant investment in new golf carts, a cost of nearly $300,000 by the end of the proposed payment terms. This expenditure, without a clear understanding of the golf course’s true value, is a risky proposition. As responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, we must make informed decisions and this is not what is happening with the golf course. I urge the City Council to prioritize transparency and sound financial management. Let’s commission a professional appraisal to accurately assess the golf course’s worth. By doing so, we can make data-driven decisions that benefit our community, rather than blindly investing in a potentially unprofitable venture.”

At the end of the meeting, after voting “nay” on the golf cart, utility vehicle and rate schedule resolutions and “aye” to the new organizational chart, Barnett formally requested that the appraisal topic be included on a future agenda.

If a majority of the council is interested in pursuing a potential sale, an appraisal would be warranted, Hanus told the River News. However, such a service would itself be an expense and any appraisal report would have a limited “shelf life,” he added.

When asked about reports that someone offered $1.8 million for the course, Hanus said he recalls being approached by someone who was interested in discussing a potential sale for an amount in that neighborhood. This was approximately two years ago, when city administration was focused on day-to-day management due to the departure of former administrator Zach Vruwink, he added.

Since that time, the city accepted from Dr. Lee Swank a gift of 416 acres adjacent to the golf course with the understanding that the wooded property is to be developed as a recreational area. 

Hanus said he’s concerned about the city doing anything that might be interpreted as counter to that agreement. Also, as the course itself sits on 500 to 600 acres, it could be argued that $1.8 million would be a “lowball” offer, he added.

The mayor also pushed back on the idea that public greenspaces and recreational areas are required to show a profit. He noted that the planned addition of a splashpad at Hodag Park is not meant to be a money-making venture nor is the amphitheater or Stevensport Square.

It’s his opinion that amenities like public parks and golf courses are maintained “to provide a quality of life and attract people to your community, which brings jobs, brings commerce,” he added.

Finally, as to Shidell’s contention that the deed restriction attached to the golf course property — requiring the land to be used as a golf course — has expired, Hanus said he would rely on the advice of city attorney Steve Sorenson.

Sorenson did not immediately return a message seeking clarification of the deed restriction issue.

While Monday’s public comment period featured separate statements questioning the course’s value to the community, it should be noted that others have argued it’s an important asset that should be protected.

For example, during the council’s Nov. 25 meeting longtime Northwood member Carol Zierden detailed the club’s role in developing high school golfers as well as the various charitable ventures it hosts including an annual breast cancer awareness event.

During that meeting, the council rejected a one-year contract extension with Oliphant Haltom Golf Management and voted to discontinue its relationship with the firm, which has been managing the course for the last two years.

On Dec. 3, the panel voted to resume in-house management and have the golf course manager report directly to the city administrator.

Readers are always encouraged to view the full council meetings which are available by visiting www.hodagtv.com.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].