Council confirms Birch Creek superintendent and approves modest green-fee increases

The Smithfield City Council on Oct. 15 confirmed Zach (introduced in the meeting as Zach Smeire / Zachary Reemeer) as the Birch Creek Golf Course superintendent and approved a change to the city fee schedule that raises green fees to better match nearby Logan River.

Council members voted to appoint Zach after a brief introduction in which Zach thanked the city and introduced his family. The council welcomed him and approved the motion unanimously.

Later in the meeting Eric, the golf pro, briefed the council on Resolution 2025-10, which would bring Birch Creek’s green fees closer to Logan River by increasing fees by approximately $0.10–$0.20 per hole. Eric said the changes are intended to match regional rates and noted that punch passes and season-pass pricing will remain at current levels until April 1, 2026; the fee changes would not take effect until next spring. Council moved, seconded and approved Resolution 2025-10 unanimously.

Why it matters: The appointment finalizes leadership at the city’s golf operations and the fee adjustments are intended to keep the course competitive with neighboring facilities while preserving existing punch-pass discounts through the winter.

Clarifying details: The appointee was described as hired in January 2019 and serving as interim superintendent since April 2025; the fee proposal was described as matching Logan River’s rates and included proposed adjustments to tee-time spacing (from eight-minute to 10-minute intervals in some proposals). Council members confirmed the change would not affect current punch passes until April 1, 2026.