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Nemadji Golf Course outlines irrigation plan, junior golf expansion and facility upgrades
Summary
General manager Dan Walker told the Superior Common Council the top priority is a phase‑1 irrigation project that now can reuse dredge spoils after a recent meeting with the DNR; Walker also described staffing changes, driving‑range demand, junior‑golf fundraising and planned building repairs.
Dan Walker, the new general manager and head golf professional at Nemadji Golf Course, told the Superior Common Council on May 20 that the course’s top priority this year is an irrigation upgrade and pump‑house replacement, and that a recent meeting with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources cleared a key hurdle.
“Through this meeting, last Thursday and some communication, that got ironed out, they gave us the go ahead to move forward,” Walker said, referring to permitting that will allow the project team to reuse spoils from pond dredging as part of phase 1. He said that reuse would lower costs and make a fall 2025 start possible “if all goes well with permitting at this point.”
Walker told the council the current pump house and irrigation system are “extremely old, archaic” and lack modern computerized controls; new satellite‑based systems would reduce wiring in the ground and extend the course’s viability for “30 to 40 years.” He said that without a working irrigation system “you don’t have a golf course.”
Why it matters: the irrigation replacement affects course conditions, maintenance costs and the long‑term viability of Nemadji as a municipal recreational facility. Walker said the permitting update materially changed the project timeline and budget outlook and allowed staff to finalize bid documents with the city.
Most important details
- Permitting: Walker said a meeting with the DNR and city staff resolved previous uncertainty and permitted reuse of dredge spoils from phase‑1 pond work, which he described as a significant cost savings and the reason the project may now begin this fall.
- Project prioritization: Walker called the irrigation and pump‑house work “number 1 on the list for Nemadji Golf Course.” He described the current system as obsolete and said modern systems provide remote control and improved reliability.
- Staffing and operations: Walker introduced Brian Wallen as the new superintendent and said two new PGA assistant professionals have joined the staff. He described improvements to the driving‑range payment system (touchscreen, app and membership tracking) and said the range is heavily used: he counted about 35 stalls in use and an additional 63 people waiting during a recent visit.
- Junior golf and fundraising: Walker said the course will expand its junior golf tournament, renamed the Butch Benny Star of the North Junior Golf Tournament after a long‑time season pass holder who directed memorial contributions to the junior program. Walker said the entry fee will be $5 and participants will receive two rounds, food and a swag bag.
- Capital repairs and amenities: Walker described approved capital work including new roofs and painting for the Oasis building and starter house, pro‑shop improvements and plans for more dependable on‑course food and beverage service via permanent stations. He said the Oasis building work is planned to open seven days a week.
Quotes from the meeting
- “At Nemadji Golf Course, our mission is to inspire and connect with our local community to provide an exceptional golf experience across our 36 hole championship layout, the Compass Par 3 Course, and our premier driving range and practice facility,” Walker read to the council as the course mission statement.
- On the irrigation project: “Without an irrigation system, it doesn't matter what we do with our golf carts, with our restaurant, with our pro shop, with our leagues. You don't have a golf course,” Walker told the council.
Discussion vs. decisions
- Discussion: Walker’s presentation was informational and proposed priorities for course maintenance, programming and capital improvements. He described improved permitting and staff planning but did not request immediate council funding changes at the meeting.
- Direction/next steps: Walker said staff will finalize bid documents with the city now that the DNR hurdle is resolved and hopes to issue bids soon to allow fall 2025 work if permitting and scheduling permit.
Ending
Council members responded with mostly positive remarks about youth outreach and course reputation; several asked technical questions about pricing, scheduling and next steps for bidding. No formal council action was required on Walker’s presentation during the May 20 meeting.
