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Natick golf committee hears complaint over season-pass limits and discusses staffing
Summary
Committee members and the superintendent discussed a complaint about removal of a spousal rate and restrictions that prevent season-pass holders from playing 18 holes, and addressed staffing and hourly pay concerns amid hiring challenges.
The Sassamon Trace Golf Course Golf Committee on March 19 heard a complaint about recent changes to season-pass pricing and limits and discussed staffing shortages.
Superintendent Kurt McDowell said an email from resident Clint Berge expressed disappointment about the removal of a spousal rate and the absence of a senior five-day season pass. McDowell told the committee he also received a complaint that season-pass holders are not allowed to play 18 holes.
Committee member Paul Regan asked about pay rates for hourly employees and noted the course was struggling to find new staff. "The pay rates were competitive with the other municipals in the area," McDowell said in response, adding that the course is recruiting for seasonal positions and has posted jobs for the season.
When committee member Josh Belowich questioned why season-pass holders are limited from playing 18 holes — noting season-pass holders may book one tee time per day — McDowell said permitting unlimited daily bookings would require staff to track each season-pass holder manually and could reduce revenue because some pass holders would play more than they do now. Eric Fontaine added that allowing players to overlap nine-hole and 18-hole play creates timing problems, calling it "a logistical headache" for first-tee timing.
Committee members said they would continue to monitor league usage and staffing levels as interviews for the golf professional position begin next Friday.
The committee approved its December minutes at the start of the meeting and adjourned at 9:37 a.m.
