The municipal property, operated by Billy Casper Golf, was hit with the pest onslaught last year and was unable to control the problem before the damage had been done.
The Ocala (Fla.) Golf Club is dealing with the aftermath of an onslaught of mole crickets and nematodes, the Ocala Star Banner reported.
The Ocala City Council made it clear to the staff of Billy Casper Golf that it is not happy with the condition of the golf course. “We expect a lot for our parks and recreation,” Council President John McLeod told the Casper staffers.
Billy Casper assumed management of the course, commonly referred to as “Muni,” in October 2012, the Banner reported.
Mike Stevens, southeast regional director of the Billy Casper’s Golf agronomic team, told council members Tuesday that through the end of last summer, “we were hitting on all strides” and as they were entering the growth season they were making a “lot of progress.”
“I am looking at the golf course today. It doesn’t tell the same story,” Stevens said.
The course was hit with an onslaught of mole crickets and the company was not able to get control of the problem as efficiently as they had hoped. When they did get the pests under control, the damage had been done. Other problems such as golf cart traffic and heavy rains also have created erosion, the Banner reported.
“As a company and operation team, we are not happy with the conditions we are experiencing now,” Stevens said.
The front nine holes have improved, Stevens said, but some areas of putting greens are thin and there are some areas in the back nine holes that are void of turf. But he said they are encouraged by the progress toward a recovery they have made, the Banner reported.
Stevens said they have treated for mole crickets and nematodes, and changed their strategy and will be treating for mole crickets year-round. He said they have put in more directional guides to direct cart traffic and there will be more rangers on the course helping educate golfers. And, they are laying sod, the Banner reported.
“We realize some of the detail work has been lax,” Stevens said. “That has not been forgotten.”
He said they have worked to improve the aesthetics with more landscaping. “Having to sit here and discuss this with you today is not enjoyable, by any means,” Stevens said. “It’s not how we got to be the nation’s No. 1 largest management company. We have ground to make up.”
On the positive side, Stevens said, the economics of the operation have improved. Councilman Jay Musleh said it was an unusual winter, with many cold mornings and no sun but, nevertheless, the city had expected more. But he also said he was “very pleased” with the financial progress that has been made in reducing losses at the course, the Banner reported.
Kathy Crile, the city’s recreation and parks director, said after the meeting that last year, using Billy Casper’s service, the city lost $250,285. The year before that, the city lost $383,196, so the Casper team is helping reduce the losses, the Banner reported.
“Their revenues are down compared to their budget projections for the current year, but so are their expenses, but they are still better than they were last year at this time,” Crile said. “So, they are improving, but they are just not improving as much as they intended for this particular year.”
Golfers, too, expressed concerns about the course during the Tuesday council meeting, the Banner reported.
“It has been troubling watching the golf course fall into disrepair,” said Carey Ross, who plays the course five to six times a week. “Billy Casper is being reactive instead of proactive about taking care of the golf course.”
“If we have this conversation this time next year, then I think some changes need to be made,” Councilwoman Mary Rich said.
Stevens assured her there would be no such conversation next year, the Banner reported.
Members of the council expressed confidence the problems will be resolved. They also voted unanimously to spend $67,000 for kitchen equipment and catering supplies for the venue’s banquet hall, the Banner reported.
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