Golf Study & Assessment
In 2018, an independent consultant evaluated Ramsey County's golf facilities as they compared to industry standards. The final report is an overview of the county's golf operations in totality. The evaluation provides operational and financial recommendations for the biennium budget and long-term capital planning. Those recommendations were just proposals at the time. No final decisions were made.
Purpose
The purpose of the golf study was to obtain information that helped us make strategic decisions to improve operational efficiencies among all of the Ramsey County golf courses. The study was also conducted to assist us in finding enhancements that will increase revenues and decrease costs. In addition, the county wanted a current evaluation of its golf courses’ position in the community and local market.
Objectives
- An industry best practice business plan for each Ramsey County public golf course for the next 10 years.
- Identification of operational efficiencies and recommendations for improvement.
- Clear understanding of the county’s role in the seven-county metro area golf market.
- Recommendations to improve revenues and decrease costs through strategic business plan practices.
- Analysis of the various managerial and operational agreements within the golf division.
- Position the county’s Parks & Recreation golf division as a leader in the service delivery of public golf.
Scope of Services
- Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Ramsey County’s golf operations and develop strategic recommendations for operational and financial efficiencies and enhancements.
- Provide an in-depth analysis on the local market. Provide summary of competition and identify Ramsey County golf facilities’ strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the local market. Provide recommended changes to enhance market share.
- Provide an analysis of the marketing program, including an overview of the current market.
- Provide feedback on golf professional services contracts, compared to industry trends, highlighting improvement areas and evaluating performance of current contracts.
- Conduct a thorough evaluation of past financial performances of each golf course.
- Provide a recommendation regarding the county’s golf operations future viability and profitability.
- Provide a final report including the analysis completed and recommended course(s) of action for the golf courses Present findings and recommendations to Parks & Recreation, Parks & Recreation Commission and the County Board.
Resources
Ramsey County golf study executive summary (PDF)
Final report (PDF, 12.5MB, 522 Pages)
Golf operations
At the time of this study, the county had five golf course operations and one golf dome practice facility. Three of the five courses, Keller, Goodrich and The Ponds at Battle Creek, had a professional services contract with a PGA-certified golf professional to manage the pro shop and clubhouse operations. The capital and maintenance at those three courses were managed and operated by the county.
Manitou Ridge was operated under a professional agreement, which included the entire operation - clubhouse, pro shop and maintenance operation. The county maintained the capital needs of the course as part of the agreement. Island Lake was established as a lease-to-build agreement. The county also had a land lease agreement for the operation of the Goodrich Golf Dome, which was separate from the course agreement.
The golf department was overseen by the Director of Operations for Golf and Arenas and reported to the Director of Ramsey County Parks & Recreation.