Previously known as Milburn Golf & Country Club, the Overland Park, Kan., club’s clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 2010 and has reopened with a new pro shop, boardroom and wine lockers, and a refocused purpose. Committees formed after the fire and determined that 94% of members wanted to broaden the club’s appeal and focus on being a family-oriented club.
Citing an ordinance in the municipal code that says “timely start-up and continuation of business is an ongoing condition of an alcohol beverage license,” the city council did not approve the renewal of the club’s liquor license. The council President said the clubhouse appeared to be closed from November to April, except for the occasional banquet, and the city plans to investigate whether the club violated the ordinance.
Foodservice equipment manufacturer Alto-Shaam promoted former Vice President of Sales Todd Griffith to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jacobsen added three members to its sales and support teams, including Tim Haskins, Michael Grooms and Mark Messick, while VGM Club announced promotions within its agronomy division, including Kyle Phillips, Shawn Krusey and JoAnn Adams.
Jim and Yvonne Grant, who acquired the 110-acre Elsinboro Township, N.J., property in April 2011 after it sat idle for nearly four years, are proposing a plan to allow them to sell 80 acres of the land into a state preservation program while limiting public access in a beachfront area through a conservation easement. The first step requires the township to pass a resolution in support of the project.
The city of Watertown currently owns the land containing holes seven through 15 at the golf course, and the club hopes to buy the land in order to make improvements, including planting trees and leveling out bumpy cart paths. It is unclear if the deal would need to be approved by the state before the sale can take place.
Beginning in 2015, the park district will take over operations for the city-owned Highland Park (Ill.) CC, in addition to Sunset Valley GC, which the park district already manages, creating the possibility that one course could be converted into other recreational uses to save money and free up space. Currently, Sunset Valley operates at a loss while Highland Park CC posts modest surpluses.
Tucson, Ariz., officials have been negotiating with the private Grand Canyon University to sell or lease the 109-acre municipal course to accommodate a new campus. However, the Tucson Conquistadores, which sponsor the First Tee program, signed a 15-year lease with the city and put about $1 million of improvements into the property for the youth golf program, with several years remaining on that contract.
The House of Representatives approved a bill on May 7 to give 20 isolated acres of local and federal government land to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to aid in the development of an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course on the Tucson, Ariz., property. The bill, which was co-sponsored by five other Arizona House members, passed without debate on a voice vote, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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