Developer outlines Shoup Park vision, says caddies will be optional and free

Representatives of the Leopold Johnson Golf Group presented an abbreviated version of their earlier executive-committee presentation, describing plans to invest in the Shoup Park clubhouse, shoreline stabilization and course redesign. The presenters said the effort is a generational investment "not to make a profit" and emphasized community access and conservation commitments.

During Q&A, alder members asked whether caddies would be mandatory and about the status of shoreline-permitting. The developer responded: "Caddies are not... there was never any thought process that we had that would have caddies as a requirement to play golf," and later clarified that caddies would be offered free of charge. On permitting, the developer said the final lease would be subject to approvals by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Developers also noted plans to work with community programs: Phil Politti described a partnership to use the site for caddy training linked to Evans scholarships for students. The presentation included assurances that the city would retain ownership of the park and oversight of lease terms.

Council members used the presentation to press for clarity on permit timing and resident access; the city director of parks later provided tree inventory and erosion context to explain shoreline stabilization work would require equipment access and selective tree removal in some places.