Guymon advisory board approves initial cart-path plan; names new vice chair

The Guymon Golf Course Advisory Board voted to approve an initial cart-path plan presented by Pete Earls, and the board also appointed Gilberto as vice chairman during its meeting. Board members who voted in favor approved moving the cart-path project into further design and budgeting steps.

Pete Earls presented the plan and said the blue lines on the drawing show existing paths; Gary, identified as representing Earls Engineering, attended as the consultant. Board and staff discussion focused on material choices (asphalt or concrete), expected longevity, localized concrete near tree roots, and how many holes to include in an initial construction phase. Staff and board members emphasized that final material decisions and funding would be resolved in budget planning rather than at the meeting.

Board members discussed cost and longevity tradeoffs. The meeting record notes a rough estimate that a full concrete solution could cost “close to half a million dollars more” than an asphalt alternative; the group discussed asphalt pavements at 2–4 inches (with 4 inches favored for longevity). Members suggested a mixed approach — concrete around tree roots and asphalt elsewhere — and discussed phasing options to maximize early visible improvements. Several board members recommended prioritizing holes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 in an initial phase so the front nine could be largely completed in phase one; others said doing holes 5 and 6 first could also make sense if initial funds are limited.

Board members and staff also discussed accompanying items tied to the path plan, including curbing near bridges, localized cement bases near restrooms to reduce runoff, and the potential to eliminate telephone poles. The board discussed using a contractor-supplied plan to support budgeting next fiscal year; a board member said the course will begin the municipal budget process in early September, and the cart-path approvals were intended to inform that budget work.

Votes at a glance - Approve cart-path recommendation presented by Pete Earls — Approved. Vote recorded in roll call: Brian, Rose, January, Kaufman, Bajan and Moon voted yes; Amber absent. Tally: yes 6, absent 1. Outcome: approved. Notes: Approval was for the recommendation as presented; the board did not finalize materials, exact scope, or funding source at the meeting. - Appoint new vice chairman (Gilberto) — Approved. Vote recorded in roll call: Brian, Rose, January, Kaufman, Fajan/Bajan and Moon voted yes; Egbert absent. Outcome: approved; Gilberto named vice chairman. - Dispense with reading of the minutes from June 17 — Approved. Outcome: motion passed by roll call.

What the board did not finalize: the meeting record shows decisions on material choice (asphalt vs. concrete), exact thicknesses, project budget line items and a contractor selection were deferred. Staff said they will pursue a more detailed cost and design estimate (including a possible third-party turf evaluation) to feed municipal budget discussions. The plan as approved is a recommendation to proceed to the next design and budgeting steps rather than a construction authorization.

The board heard additional staff comments on maintenance planning and a possible third-party evaluation from OSU (Oklahoma State University) turf experts to develop a long-term course management plan. Staff also noted operational items raised during comments, including clubhouse grill/vent repairs and repositioning of porta-potties to reduce damage to course roads; those items were discussed as maintenance/operational matters, not formal actions.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: staff will refine cost estimates and material options for inclusion in the city budget process; the board expects to prioritize holes for a first construction phase once a budget figure is available. No effective dates for construction were set at the meeting.