Pinnacle manager: Tega Cay golf course projects covered from reserves; council asked for data on range safety options

David Taylor, general manager with Pinnacle Golf Management, told the council at the April 27 budget workshop that the golf operation expects "total revenue of just shy of $3,100,000" in the coming fiscal year and is budgeting capital work from reserves rather than new borrowing. He said the budget includes member dues, greens fees, cart fees and — for the first time since a recent renovation — food and beverage revenue from a new golf shop and pavilion.

Taylor said the golf operation will carry a bond payment to the city and annual loan payments but still projects a positive cash flow and "a net operating income of $609,000" after those obligations. "All the capital that we're currently doing and all the capital that we have planned to do is utilizing the reserve fund to do that in cash without borrowing any money," Taylor said.

The council focused on several specific capital items Taylor presented. He asked for approval to cash‑purchase two Toro triplexes, a Toro 4,500 rough mower and a John Deere Pro Gator with long lead times, noting staff has set aside the cash. He also outlined planned course work — cart‑path completion on the cove, tree removal around cart paths and a $15,000 new gold tee on a wetland‑adjacent hole.

A separate, longer discussion focused on driving‑range safety. Taylor presented a vendor quote for an approximately 63‑foot net estimated at about $167,000 but cautioned the supplier is unsure it can safely install poles on the site's steep terrain. "If we put a 63‑foot net at the bottom of the range, it will help," he said, "but we feel like it may be a better idea to take a look at moving the range back some and using limited‑flight balls." Taylor said limited‑flight balls — which the staff has already ordered for testing — could reduce ball carry by roughly 30 percent and, combined with moving the hitting area back roughly 25 yards, could be a lower‑cost, higher‑value alternative to the large net.

Council members asked about timelines and safety outcomes. One councilor described the balls striking the 10th fairway as a liability concern; another asked staff to return with additional vendor quotes and an installation feasibility assessment. Councilwoman Jones backed testing the move‑back/limited‑flight approach first and said the net could be considered after staff presents data. Taylor said staff will run tests when the balls arrive and bring results back to council before pursuing the larger netting project.

The golf presentation also touched on the club's equipment needs and the planned use of reserves for capital so that purchases can be made without issuing bonds. Taylor asked council to approve the immediate ordering of long‑lead equipment to avoid 9–18 month delivery delays. He said staff would return with final cost and scope for the larger course renovation items.