Council moves to assume interim operations of Prior Creek Golf Course after longtime managers resign

The City of Pryor Creek council voted to assume interim management of the municipal golf course and pro shop after the Bowmans resigned, agreeing the city would keep the course open, bring some former course employees on as temporary city staff and pursue acquisition of remaining pro-shop equipment.

The decision — prompted by the Bowmans' abrupt exit and described as a rapid development by staff — directs the mayor and city administration to use golf-course enterprise funds for emergency purchases needed to maintain operations while the city finalizes a longer-term plan.

Why it matters: Council members said the course is profitable and preserving continuous service protects municipal assets and local jobs. The mayor and staff emphasized the city’s goal to keep revenue earned by the course within the golf enterprise account and to make the transition transparent to the public.

Details and staffing: Dennis, the course superintendent of 34 years who announced his departure, told the council the course is in strong condition and has about $700,000 on hand. The mayor described work already done to transition staff: several employees formerly employed by the private course management company were hired through Express as temporary city employees so the course can remain staffed during the handoff. The mayor said he has administrative access to the course’s 4Up system and will work with staff to remove or transfer vendor and licensing setup as needed.

Purchases and licenses: Council authorized staff to evaluate and (where cost-effective) buy remaining pro-shop equipment — coolers, pizza oven, refrigerators and certain inventory — after a site review with the former manager’s attorney. The council discussed options for handling the pro-shop’s liquor license: city code prevents the city from holding the license, but a trust or a private contractor could hold it under contract. The mayor said the city will pursue local partners for an arrangement that can preserve pro-shop beverage sales while complying with licensing rules.

Financial and hiring outlook: Staff described the likely cost of recruiting and hiring a permanent golf director and said industry pay and bonuses make a full-time certified PGA pro an expensive hire; the council discussed possible interim manager or training options to reduce costs. The council directed staff to use enterprise funds for emergency spending related to course operations and to return with recommendations for longer-term staffing and budgeting.

Next steps: Staff will hold a special meeting with the park board to update members and solicit recommendations; the administration will continue bringing employees onto the city payroll as temporaries, gather cost estimates for needed purchases, and report back to the council with proposed job descriptions and budget requirements. Council members asked that emergency expenditures be communicated to them individually and in future council meetings.