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Golf operator urges tee relocation, limited-flight balls over costly range net; requests equipment approvals
Summary
Pinnacle Golf Management presented a nearly $3.1M golf revenue budget and asked council to approve two equipment purchases. The operator recommended moving the driving-range tee back and using limited-flight balls (less costly, faster to implement) rather than spending $167,000 on a 63-foot net that may not solve the safety problem.
David Taylor of Pinnacle Golf Management presented the club’s FY25–26 operating and capital budgets at the council’s budget workshop, reporting nearly $3.1 million in projected revenue and a positive net operating position after a $350,000 bond payment to the city.
Taylor asked council to approve two equipment purchases to be cash-funded from reserves — a John Deere ProGator replacement and a Toro 4500 rough mower — and described ongoing and planned capital work (cart-path improvements, Cove drainage, greens and tee projects). He said those capital projects are funded from reserves and are not expected to require borrowing.
A key safety discussion centered on the driving range. Taylor reported a contractor quote of about $167,000 to install a 63-foot net but said terrain and trajectory made that a questionable solution. Instead he proposed moving the tee back roughly 25 yards and testing limited-flight range balls (a $3,000 trial order placed) as a lower-cost remedy that staff estimates would reduce long drives by about 30 percent and could be implemented in weeks for the concrete pad; grass regrade would take longer (~8 weeks).
Council members asked about timeline and effectiveness; one member warned of liability risk from errant balls, saying, “one person gets hit by a golf ball and seriously injured… it's going to be John Smith's golf course at that point,” while Taylor and others stressed no solution is perfect but argued the tee relocation plus limited-flight balls would materially reduce risk at a fraction of the quoted net’s cost. Council indicated preference to pilot the limited-flight balls and consider a later net only if necessary. Staff will return with cost details and possible phased capital timing for council approval.
The golf presentation also covered tennis-court maintenance (crack repairs included in the budget; resurfacing/rebuild quotes pending) and clarified croquet-lawn maintenance is handled by golf staff with croquet club contributions covering routine lawn maintenance.
