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Mayor tours Mulligans grounds, tries tractor, and highlights self-sustaining funding
Summary
The mayor toured Mulligans in South Jordan to view turf and equipment operations, helped staff repair divots and move a cup, and noted the facility operates as a self-sustaining enterprise fund that does not draw on the general fund.
The mayor visited Mulligans recreation facility on a municipal tour and spent the day with grounds staff learning hands-on maintenance techniques for the driving range, greens and mini-golf course.
The visit focused on daily operations staff say keep Mulligans functioning and attractive for residents, from divot repair to ball collection to cup cutting. "This is one of our more popular features," Brad, a Mulligans host, said while showing the mayor the grass tees on the driving range. Josiah, a grounds crew member, demonstrated two repair methods: hand-applied sand-and-seed and tractor top-dressing, and advised golfers on proper divot technique: "Generally, we want to hit a divot about a dollar bill size," he said.
Why it matters: Mulligans is heavily used by residents and, per the mayor, is funded through its own fees and savings rather than the city's general fund. "Mulligans is self sustaining. It's its own enterprise fund. We don't use the general fund for this," the mayor said, underscoring the facility's reliance on its operating revenue for maintenance and periodic upgrades.
What staff showed: Grounds crew walked the mayor through equipment and schedules. Josiah explained how the top-dressing tractor releases sand and is followed by a drag to level repaired divots so seed and turf recover in roughly a month. Staff who operate the ball-picker tractor described an early-morning rotation to collect range balls and how baskets are emptied at an on-site ball-wash station; one crew member said the facility processes "About 40,000" balls on a busy day. Ron, the mower operator, described his cutting routine—arriving before dawn and mowing Monday, Wednesday and Friday—to maintain fairway lines while alternating directions to reduce stress on turf.
The mayor also worked with staff on cup cutting and hole placement to reduce wear on greens. "If the pin stays there for long enough it has more wear and tear," Kate, a turf worker, said while showing how to remove the cup, insert a new one and tamp it to the correct height. In the mini-golf area, Rocky described recent upgrades including new pumps, lighting and a mechanical 'sawmill' feature; he demonstrated adding blue dye at a pond intake so the waterfall disperses color and helps with algae control.
Operational and budget notes: Staff emphasized that Mulligans aims to balance competitive pricing and reinvestment; the mayor said larger capital projects often require saving revenue over multiple years. The mayor framed the tour as both an informational visit and a chance to thank employees. "We love the Caddy Shack and your food here is amazing," the mayor said toward the visit's close.
The visit ended with the mayor thanking staff and joining them for a meal; no policy decisions, motions or formal actions were taken during the tour.
