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Dunedin Golf Course Could Use Some Change, Report Says

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

Green renovations are complete at the Dunedin Country Club and the surfaces are currently being given time to mature before play resumes Sept. 28.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: September 15, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - With the city about to reconsider its contract with the private group that operates the Dunedin Country Club, a consultant has reported on what could be done to improve the city-owned course.

A few relatively minor changes could significantly improve the country club, according to the report from a consultant from the National Golf Foundation indicates the golf course could fare a lot better with a few tweaks.

In addition, the NGF report suggests the city not charge the private group to use the course so the money could be spent instead on course upkeep and maintenance.

After being briefed on the report, the City Commission told City Manager Robert DiSpirito to work out a new lease deal with the private group, known as the Dunedin Country Club.

The president of the Dunedin Country Club, Warren Wylie, is not yet ready to react to the report, he said last week.

The 18-hole, 6,245-yard Donald Ross-designed golf course is not in need of a major overhaul, Richard Singer, the NGF consultant, told city commissioners and members of the Dunedin Country Club, the group that oversees the course for the city.

The Dunedin Country Club, designed by noted golf course architect Donald Ross, opened Jan. 1, 1927. From 1945 to 1962 it was the home of the Professional Golfers Association of America.

The private group, the Dunedin Country Club, owns the clubhouse and leases the golf course from the city.

While Singer found no reasons for a major makeover, some operational items, however, should be tweaked to make it more profitable and attract new players, he said at a City Commission meeting.

For example, a professionally trained golf course manager should be hired to provide administrative oversight at both the country club and the adjacent St. Andrews Links, another city-owned, par-three golf course and driving range.

"It is not recommended that the city operate the facility on its own as a municipal golf course," Singer wrote in the report. "The Dunedin Country Club will not work as a straight pay-for-play municipal course."

St. Andrews Links, should be used as a training facility to get more golfers interested in the sport, with the country club operating the professional course, Singer recommends.

The city could contract field maintenance at St. Andrews Links to the country club to make it more efficient and provide some revenue for the club.

Even with any improvements that might be made, the city should not expect the country club to become a cash cow for the municipal coffers, according to Singer. The number of people who play golf is not growing, he says.

Furthermore, adding tennis courts or a swimming pool to the Dunedin Country Club would not be cost-effective, Singer's report concludes.

Dunedin Country Club is chartered as private enterprise but it would fare better if it held nonprofit status, Singer believes. It could then offer tee times to more nonmembers, which would raise revenue and make the club more competitive when it comes to luring paying customers, he said.

In addition, the city should not restrict the amount of tournaments that can be played on the course, Singer is recommending. Tournament play could be a lucrative revenue source, he says.

Improve its food service and slightly relaxing its dress code are other ways Dunedin Country Club could lure more golfers, according to Singer.

Warren Wylie, Dunedin Country Club president, said it is too early to comment on specifics of the consultant's report. The group, however, is willing to work with the city to improve the golf course.

Mayor Bob Hackworth said city staff should enter into negotiations with the Country Club on a new lease agreement that incorporates suggestions made in the report.

Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski said "the city needs to work with the club and be a partner."

Commissioners asked DiSpirito to work on a lease proposal with the country club group and report back to the commission at later date.

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