Guymon golf board advances master plan, green repairs and safety fixes; hires engineering firm for cart-path study

The Guymon Golf Board and staff on June 17 reviewed a multi-year maintenance plan, approved replacement purchases and confirmed a contract with an engineering firm to develop a master plan for cart paths and related improvements.

The discussion focused on safety and playability: staff said they will buy 20 new trash receptacles to replace aging redwood containers and asked the board’s feedback on replacing rotted railroad-tie steps with concrete stem walls or other low-maintenance facing. “We’re buying 20 of them,” Mike said of the trash receptacles. Mike, who identified himself in the meeting as the course manager, said some tie-and-step areas are “rotting out” and present a safety concern for players and staff. He told the board the city has signed a contract with Earl’s Engineering to prepare a cart-path master plan and initial cost estimates.

Why it matters: Board members framed the repairs and the cart-path plan as investments in safety, customer experience and ongoing tournament hosting. Board members said recent events brought many out‑of‑town visitors and reinforced the need to improve first impressions at the course.

Most important actions and estimates

• Trash receptacles: staff reported a confirmed purchase of 20 replacement receptacles to replace old redwood containers.

• Engineering contract: Mike said the city has “already signed a contract with Earl’s Engineering” to produce a master plan for cart paths and related improvements and that the firm has done similar work elsewhere in the state. Copies of the forthcoming master plan will be distributed to the board.

• Ballpark funding: staff offered a preliminary annual budget estimate for cart-path work, saying, “I’m just gonna say, you know, 32 or $50,000 a year, wherever the cart path will take us.” The board did not adopt a formal appropriation at the meeting.

Course repairs, aesthetics and course design

Board members and staff discussed safety and aesthetics at several tee boxes: multiple speakers recommended replacing decayed railroad ties on steps and using a concrete stem wall with a textured or brick-like finish to reduce maintenance. One idea was to add a brick or branded accent behind the No. 1 tee to create a cleaner entrance; a board member suggested involving local artists for graphics and logos.

Players’ access and fairway work were also discussed. Staff described attempts to rehabilitate thin fairway areas—cutting and reestablishing turf to improve durability—and said work on Nos. 2 and 5 has included efforts to move fairways slightly closer to greens to establish healthier turf. The board asked staff to provide recommendations on widening select approaches and on how to address eroded or loose tie steps on Nos. 12, 16 and 17.

Marketing, events and operations

Board members praised staff for hosting a recent tournament and discussed marketing the course to out‑of‑town players. A board member said the tournament drew “about 100 contestants, and 90% of them were from out of town,” and urged more signage and drone footage to help visitors find the course and to promote it regionally. Mike said the city’s sheriff’s or police department may be able to supply drone footage.

Board members also raised longer-term equipment and efficiency topics, including interest in emerging robotic-mower technology as a potential labor and cost-saving investment. No contract or purchase decision on robotic mowers was made at the meeting.

Process and follow-up

Mike said the engineer will deliver a master-cart-path plan and estimates; staff asked for board comments and recommended that members submit ideas to Shannon in the next two weeks. The board set its next meeting for Aug. 19 and asked staff to circulate the engineering plan when available.

Ending

The board thanked staff for recent work on course conditioning and tournament support and asked staff to return with design options, cost estimates from Earl’s Engineering and recommendations on replacing rotted ties and improving cart-path safety before the August meeting.